Writing into the day...

So at the UNC Charlotte Writing Project, we write ourselves "into the day". It's a time for us to sit, breathe, and use the act of composing to bring us into the moment. I've been writing into the day since summer 2005. I do it everyday in class with my students. I do it in almost every workshop or presentation I give. Here is what happens when we "write in":

The room is quiet or, if the audience is willing, music might be playing. Daybooks or laptops are out. Thoughts flow from all over the place, generally no prompt or idea of what to write about is given. Minds are free to wonder wherever is needed.

Sometimes I write about nothing. Sometimes I write about how happy, mad, curious, nervous, frustrated I am. Sometimes I write about how hungry I am. Sometimes I write about how much I hope what we do in class that day "works". It is a moment--to explore, to see, to think, to write.

I value these moments, though I'm not always sure why. Offered like an open hand, allowing me to hold or approach the day how I see fit.

What is my "tree within"?

Introduced to Octavio Paz's poem "A Tree Within" today. It's seems important (not really sure why) and I like the drawing this guy couples with the piece: http://www.incli-nation.com/2007/05/a_tree_within.html

Workout Playlist

Thought I would share what is keeping me moving during my workouts these days. Particularly enjoying the addition of M.I.A. For more ideas on playlists, I found this interesting site on Military.com Ain't gonna lie, I'm a little scared of the "Shoot to Thrill" title.


Bucky Done Gun M.I.A.
Fancy Footwork, Chromeo
Shook Me All Night Long, AC/DC
Pour Some Sugar on Me, Def Leopard
SexyBack, Justin Timberlake
U.R.A.Q.T. M.I.A.
Mr. Brightside, The Killers
Ray of Light, Madonna
The Way You Move, Outkast
Shut Up and Let Me Go The Ting Tings
Sweet Emotion, Aerosmith
I Bet You Look Good On the Dance floor, Arctic Monkeys
Runaway, Dee-Lite
The Valley, Duran Duran
Fergalicious, Fergie
Are You Gonna Be My Girl, Jet
Purple Haze, Jimi Hendrix
Dr. Feelgood, Motley Crue
Such Great Heights, Postal Service
Edge Of Seventeen, Stevie Nicks
Little Dawn, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
I Believe in a Thing Called Love, Darkness

Reunited and it felt so good

I recently visited my alma mater, East Carolina University. It was a quite strange experience, compared to my past visits, for two very important reasons: 1. I went for professional reasons (that word was not even in my vocabulary from '96-'00), and 2. I went without my girls (can I get a shout out to the ECU Women's Soccer Team?!).

I want to share my trip via pictures because I think it will capture it best. For my soccer girls, you will nod knowingly and laugh. For anyone else who has never visited Greenville or never attended ECU, well, you're just outta luck on this one!

First, getting to Greenville has never been easier, so I captured my excitement with the road signs that let you know...you are about to enter a part of N.C. that has nothing else, and I mean nothing, besides ECU.



Then I had time before checking in to take a quick tour and found some familiar landmarks. Note: tour lasted all of 10 minutes...ah, I remember thinking how big and far things were! Nope, Greenville Blvd., 5th St., 10th St., Memorial Dr., Evans, Arlington, Red Banks, and that's it!

THE Krispy Kreme (now within a block of a Starbucks). THE sleek new buses (that we hated b/c they were too slow and never came when there were supposed to, or we loved b/c they graciously waited to take us back to College Hill on certain nights). Speaking of the hill...

It's still really, really, really long. Was it the 4 mile loop that included this? Ugh.

Okay, back to our cute downtown. I only recognized three names: UBE, Boli's, and Alfredo's.

And good old Dowdy Ficklen, where I think I spent more time "snaking the stadium" than attending football games in it.

Where the glory began and ended. Still no lights. Still called Bunting. Still as close as one can get without actually being directly behind home plate of the baseball field..."Fly ball! Look out!!"

Despite all the things that have not changed, I was shocked at one thing that had changed. I am proud to say that Greenville is now serving more than just South Paw and Bud Light.

But no matter how much Greenville tries to change and join the modern world, it will still be the one and only G-Vegas. Go Pirates!

Movie Joy

I am a movie lover. As a subscriber to Netflix, I get very excited when I see one of the red envelopes poking out of my mail slot. "Yeah, I have a movie!" Usually, because I constantly add and rearrange my queue, I have no clue what movie awaits until I tear open the envelope and reveal the title. About a week ago Dan in Real Life, unknowingly waited for my viewing.

I remember when this movie came out in the theaters. Steve Carell was the big selling point for this movie, and given his success with "The Office" and other movies (Evan Almighty, Little Miss Sunshine, 40-year old virgin) I figured this movie would do well in the theaters. But as soon as I remember it coming out, it was gone. Yet, I clicked "add" and here it was, entering my DVD player.

As soon as the light, simple, kinda goofy-smiley feeling music of Sondre Lerche provided Dan (Steve C.) as he hops out of bed with "Yep, okay!" and begins the first scene of his widowed, single dad of 3 girls life, I knew I was going to dig this movie. A stellar, yet subtle cast (Juliette Binoche, Dane Cook, John Mahoney, Dianne West, and so on) was so inviting as the movie is based on the annual family get together at the grandparent's house. All seems like it will be a normal, loud, story and food-filled weekend until Dan meets Marie (Binoche) at a local bookstore, has one of those "I can't believe I'm telling you all this when I just met you" conversations, only to find out that she is...well, I won't give it away, though any previews you read may do just that, because I think this part is one of the best.

Steve's knack for perfect timing and add-libbing dialog ("This corn is like an angel") had me laughing out loud. Something I don't often do. The premise is that this movie is just like "real life," and we all know that most movies don't really pull that off. However, this one felt just like home and I imagine others would feel the same way. I watched it twice, all the special features and commentary, and purchased music from the soundtrack (Lerche is pretty much the main music guy and purposefully so). So rent it, Netflix it, whatever you do, go watch this movie. *Insert picture of me and two thumbs up

Writing Dilemma

Now that I have been trying this whole blogging thing for a while, ideas for potential blog topics zip through my mind all the time. Interesting to experience. Of course, given my short-term memory and inability (or desire) to be constantly connected, I forget them just as quickly as they zipped into consciousness. Here are some that have vied for some virtual space on Write to Enlight (obviously, none have made it there quite yet):

- Dan in Real Life: a review of a movie that made me laugh outloud. I think I officially love Steve Carell. This one will happen.
- Writer's block: for this article I'm working on...blah, blah, blah...what's new?!
- Guilt of a teacher: how we reconcile the "summer" and how we are off, but not really. Might be interesting.
- Taking care of yo' house: how and why I let various things in my apartment sit in a corner since I moved in Dec. No more!
- Sister love/hate: post lil sis graduation, week at home, realization of what it is really like to have a sister. Who knew? This one may be too personal for this space, though.

We'll see which ones make it! I just realized that in the time it took to write this blog entry about potential blog entries, I actually could have composed one. Aw shucks...

Story time at the dentist

I don't know. Maybe it's just me, but when I think of going to the dentist, story time does not come to mind. There are several service/appointment situations where I don't expect a lot of chit-chat conversation, but totally understand why it happens and why the service provider feels obligated to carry on a dialog of sorts. For instance, a haircut. Makes complete sense that a hairdresser sees fit to engage me in some sort of "are you from here?" or "what do you do?" conversation as he/she clips away. I'm sitting there, staring at myself as bits of hair brush my face . She's there staring at me as well, causing the bits of hair to brush down my face. Conversation, again, while not necessary, does seem appropriate and logical to make staring situation less awkward.

Another example, a massage. Now, this gets tricky and I fluctuate on conversation in this social service situation. On the one hand, good communication is often key to a good massage. I am appreciative of questions like "is that the right trouble spot?" or "would you like more pressure?" because it makes me feel like my needs are being met. On the other hand, I more often than not simply want to soak in the worldly nature music, soothing touch, and drift off into a silent oasis with Ms. Tara (that's my girl at Massage Envy...divine!).

So in most cases, while I am perfectly comfortable with silence, I can see a place for some sort of conversation. But this morning I was confronted with a situation that greatly perplexed me: a dental cleaning. We all know what that looks and feels like--mouth wide open with various metal objects and sucky things poking and prodding your teeth and gums. In no way shape or form would I consider this an appropriate situation for chit-chat, not to mention that it is physically impossible. Well, not only did my hygienist think it was appropriate to carry on and on about anything and everything in her life--her 9 yr. old and his political inquisitiveness, her 5 yr. old and her upcoming Build-a-Bear birthday drama, her boyfriend who is currently on a trip to Prague with his MBA students--but she paused, asked questions, and fully expected me to enter the conversation with her. Huh? Did I miss something?

But, in case I was curious, I now know what it is like to say the following with dental objects in one's mouth:
-- "Isheathenglishsheathers" = I teach English teachers.
-- "O. Idonaveanyshidren" = No. I do not have any children.
--(In response to 9 yr. old aspiring politician parts of her story) "A a. At'sunny" = Ha ha. That's funny.

What I really wanted to do was grab her hand and say, "Thank you so much for the polite discussion, but I actually CAN'T talk with that big metal hook in my mouth. So can we just get on with? Thanks!"