tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79553197103071462Sat, 14 Sep 2024 20:44:11 +0000Self checkThe craftCWPsPoliticsThe Sporting LifeQuotesGot it goodDid you know? (I didn't)FlecksMusicThingsUsuryVideoVote 11/4/08CommuteIn the NewsPicture postsSite design"How can I know what I think till I see what I say?"http://grabtheyoke.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)Blogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79553197103071462.post-8027214626360016622Wed, 30 Dec 2009 14:07:00 +00002009-12-31T08:00:08.037-05:00When I was using it, I really enjoyed having this space to write and ruminate. Obviously, I haven't been using it for some time. The first reason is I've allowed myself to believe I don't have time to write, which is always phooey. The second reason is the further space I have from writing the more difficult it becomes to return. The third reason is the few times I've gone for it I've done so in http://grabtheyoke.blogspot.com/2009/12/moving-forward.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79553197103071462.post-1210013430286109373Mon, 03 Aug 2009 16:54:00 +00002009-08-03T12:59:18.805-04:00Self checkThe craftSomething else I want to remind myself: There is a natural desire (I don't know if it is just me or every writer/artist) to want to please every reader with my writing. That somehow, if only I were a good enough writer, I could write something that everyone would love. But that's complete garbage and I should know better. There is no work of art in any genre, high or low, that is universally http://grabtheyoke.blogspot.com/2009/08/addendum-to-climbing-back.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79553197103071462.post-510792600273439139Mon, 03 Aug 2009 16:02:00 +00002009-08-03T12:51:01.699-04:00Self checkThe craftI started reading again this weekend. (Yes, I claim to enjoy reading and writing, but sometimes I stop both altogether.) Like so many other times, it's got my writer's wheels spinning. I picked up the first of Stephen King's Dark Tower books, The Gunslinger. I already own it, but this is the revised/expanded version from a few years back. I waffled for a long time on whether I wanted to get the http://grabtheyoke.blogspot.com/2009/08/climbing-back-climbing-climbing.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79553197103071462.post-3837470517662713969Sat, 20 Jun 2009 17:48:00 +00002009-06-21T09:35:06.212-04:00Self checkThe craftWriting? Not much. I've been using Twitter more these days, but of course that doesn't allow me to expand any thoughts and reach any new conclusions. More and more I actually prefer it for the interesting things you can find there: updates from friends, comedy, breaking news, web phenomena, and so on. I haven't returned to the story I was working on in my notebook for some time now. Maybe http://grabtheyoke.blogspot.com/2009/06/where-ive-been-where-im-at.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79553197103071462.post-2334221832657941728Fri, 10 Apr 2009 02:00:00 +00002009-04-10T08:52:36.586-04:00The craftThis weekend I took my journal (gift from Amanda before we ever met!) to my in-laws' (our weekly WV pilgrimage for water) and started putting the story I mentioned last week down on paper. I sat and wrote out 8 or so pages, which felt great. I don't remember the last time I actually felt productive. I didn't get a chance to continue before we came back home, but I felt good about the story's http://grabtheyoke.blogspot.com/2009/04/start-and-note-on-process.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79553197103071462.post-7936339927490520143Fri, 03 Apr 2009 23:08:00 +00002009-04-03T20:01:48.276-04:00The craftAt least a portion of my creative energies has been channeling to two new enjoyable sources lately: The Twitter and the Omegle.Also, a story idea is tossing about in my head, which is nice, but the kid needs to get on paper soon.http://grabtheyoke.blogspot.com/2009/04/source-of-my-neglect.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79553197103071462.post-5613524024865703562Tue, 10 Mar 2009 17:15:00 +00002009-03-10T13:43:57.146-04:00Self checkThe craftUsuryToday I found this interesting primer on the Christian theological history of usury via DocJax. Looks like it's an introduction to a church conference on the topic of debt, but I haven't yet found more about the conference itself.This topic is still churning in my mind. What gives it special meaning to me is my education--I mean, I actually took a class in college called "The Theory of Interest."http://grabtheyoke.blogspot.com/2009/03/more-on-usury-plus-my-latest-literary.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79553197103071462.post-7856369569333210522Thu, 05 Mar 2009 20:35:00 +00002009-03-10T13:20:34.891-04:00QuotesSelf checkUsuryTo take usury for money lent is unjust in itself, because this is to sell what does not exist, and this evidently leads to inequality, which is contrary to justice.- St. Thomas AquinasDominican friar and theologian (1225-1274)[hat tip]The morality of charging interest and its effect on our society/economy today is something about which I've thought an awful lot but haven't taken the time to writehttp://grabtheyoke.blogspot.com/2009/03/borrowed-voice-of-day-thomas-aquinas.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79553197103071462.post-106094633785755066Wed, 11 Feb 2009 19:24:00 +00002009-02-11T15:29:50.926-05:00PoliticsOne of the things that bugged me most about the Iraq War was the impression that President Bush and his administration used the country's fear after a national crisis (the 9/11 attacks) to steer the country in a direction he had in mind before taking office: removing Saddam Hussein from power and trying to spread democracy in the Middle East. The merits of his ideas and the war itself are worthy http://grabtheyoke.blogspot.com/2009/02/opportunistic-much.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79553197103071462.post-1138504719176674010Mon, 02 Feb 2009 21:19:00 +00002009-02-02T16:19:45.145-05:00Quotes"Apricots are a poor man's something else."-Amandahttp://grabtheyoke.blogspot.com/2009/02/you-just-cant-beat-this.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79553197103071462.post-7668196827136990633Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:07:00 +00002009-01-22T10:15:58.398-05:00QuotesWhat if the mightiest word is love, love beyond marital, filial, national. Love that casts a widening pool of light. Love with no need to preempt grievance.In today’s sharp sparkle, this winter air, anything can be made, any sentence begun.On the brink, on the brim, on the cusp — praise song for walking forward in that light.- Elizabeth Alexanderfrom her Inaugural Poem, “Praise Song for the Day”(http://grabtheyoke.blogspot.com/2009/01/borrowed-voice-of-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79553197103071462.post-3618784329091035354Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:21:00 +00002009-01-14T11:25:06.848-05:00QuotesThe Sporting LifeThere are so many breath-taking Dennis Green quotes, but this one has always been a favorite of mine from his Vikings days. I always thought there was more to it than this, but until I find the full clip, this will do just fine.http://grabtheyoke.blogspot.com/2009/01/calcutta-clipper.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79553197103071462.post-6450672545021891285Tue, 13 Jan 2009 16:15:00 +00002009-01-14T06:13:12.285-05:00Did you know? (I didn't)The Sporting LifeHere's a very interesting article about how the Portland Trail Blazers maintain their Pacific-Time-Zone sleep schedules even when traveling on East Coast road trips.It was interesting to me, at least. I think what might have been even more intriguing than the actual specifics of how they did it was reading about how the players and coach of an NBA team were won over into listening to a sleep http://grabtheyoke.blogspot.com/2009/01/sleep-patterns.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79553197103071462.post-1130968283391451638Mon, 05 Jan 2009 12:42:00 +00002009-01-05T07:48:58.207-05:00Got it goodWhere I've been:22 states (44%)Where I've spent the night (some people's definition of "visiting" a state):16 states (32%)And, yes, these maps do include my foreign travels as well.(Create your own visited map of the United States here.)http://grabtheyoke.blogspot.com/2009/01/where-ive-been.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79553197103071462.post-4994868171428233275Sat, 03 Jan 2009 01:24:00 +00002009-01-02T20:35:02.453-05:00The craftThingsYou know how sometimes runners like to have somebody to run with, not because they're physically unable to perform the run on their own, but because there's something beneficial to the motivation and companionship of having that other person there? I think creative projects are similar. It's not that a writer or photographer or painter or musician doesn't have the mental and creative capacity to http://grabtheyoke.blogspot.com/2009/01/2009-is-getting-pictures-to-go-with-its.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79553197103071462.post-5676119541843505473Wed, 31 Dec 2008 15:52:00 +00002009-01-01T01:06:48.708-05:00Amanda and I had the following IM exchange at work today. I don't think it needs further explanation. (Right now.)10:42:23 AMAmanda Wenis...I have a funny dream quote 10:42:55 AM◄This morning when I was going in and out of consciousness, I had a dream where some guy hit on me and I said something like 10:43:24 AM◄"No! I'm married. The only other guy I'd give my heart to is Colin Meloy, and he's http://grabtheyoke.blogspot.com/2008/12/dreams-mares-and-sleep-plucking.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79553197103071462.post-583178234345944570Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:11:00 +00002008-12-27T23:31:57.323-05:00CWPsJeremy,Please don't be afraid, but... I am you in sixteen years. Now, the really strange thing is that you won't remember reading this letter in sixteen years. In fact, sixteen years from now, you'll be writing this very same letter again. To yourself at the age you are now. It doesn't make much sense, but that's the way it is.Actually, a lot of things in your life for the next sixteen years http://grabtheyoke.blogspot.com/2008/12/creative-writing-prompt-11.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79553197103071462.post-7815097683338382104Tue, 23 Dec 2008 01:07:00 +00002008-12-22T20:43:43.116-05:00Self checkThe craftHere's where I was going in the last prompt-based post.Something I've been taught in writing classes (and something with which I agree) is that a writer needs to recognize what he or she is good at and take hold of those strengths; likewise, recognize what he or she is not so good at and find ways of compensating. Some writers are great at developing setting, some at writing dialogue, some at http://grabtheyoke.blogspot.com/2008/12/parodious-monk.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79553197103071462.post-6876466804378677011Tue, 23 Dec 2008 00:54:00 +00002008-12-23T08:08:50.415-05:00CWPsSeriously? A galaxy of longing? That's not much of an image. But, hey, what do I know? I'm blogging.My first thought when Amanda told me the prompt was that scene in Spaceballs when they shift into Ludicrous Speed and the stars just become a blur of lines (plaid, at one point).I'm reminded a lot of lines and scenes from movies and television shows. I go back and forth in my mind over whether http://grabtheyoke.blogspot.com/2008/12/creative-writing-prompt-9.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79553197103071462.post-3362417138659413803Sat, 20 Dec 2008 02:46:00 +00002008-12-23T08:08:40.755-05:00CWPsh/t: Amanda, LeslieI live in a part of the country I barely knew existed five years ago.I work for a company that finally feels like the place I belong.I talk in low mumbles.I wish I didn't.I enjoy the sound of the world covered in snow.I look both ways before crossing the street.I smell poorly. Feel free to take that either way.I hide my face behind a beard.I pray because God hears me.I walk http://grabtheyoke.blogspot.com/2008/12/creative-writing-prompt-8.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79553197103071462.post-7022410166973104431Thu, 18 Dec 2008 20:26:00 +00002008-12-23T08:08:23.171-05:00CWPsThe craftNothing stirring to do? What stirs me? Great writing, for one. I have Moby Dick in my collection, but I've still never read it. However, seeing Melville's name reminded me of The Night Inspector, in which Frederick Busch uses Melville as a character. It was the kind of wonderful novel that stirs. I read it in my MFA core class and was blown away by what Busch had accomplished. It was stirring in http://grabtheyoke.blogspot.com/2008/12/creative-writing-prompt-7_18.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79553197103071462.post-6382810180131426215Thu, 18 Dec 2008 17:51:00 +00002008-12-18T13:08:55.648-05:00ThingsTwo things are true, one I hope to be true:There is no running water in our house.I did not complete a CWP entry yesterday.I will do one tonight.Funny how after neglecting my blog for months at time, numerous times, I get itchy not posting something after a day now.http://grabtheyoke.blogspot.com/2008/12/three-things.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79553197103071462.post-7105471684613023645Wed, 17 Dec 2008 02:05:00 +00002008-12-16T21:28:18.361-05:00CWPsThe craftA melon strolling on two tendrils. I'm not familiar with this poem or this image. Sylvia Plath only conjures images of suicide for me, which I can't imagine is fair.But to the melon and the two tendrils upon which it strolls. Why is it that important people tend to use the most unnecessary words and phrasings? Why is that I keep avoiding writing about that image?Probably has something to do how http://grabtheyoke.blogspot.com/2008/12/creative-writing-prompt-7.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79553197103071462.post-1744078057734010617Tue, 16 Dec 2008 03:35:00 +00002008-12-15T22:46:18.350-05:00The craftPosting completely fresh creative writing on the internet is a new thing for me. The poem I wrote tonight I didn't revise and I don't like how I rushed to an ending without giving the overall concept adequate thought. Usually when I start with a prompt or an artificial frame I like to push an idea as far as I can take it, then go back and revise. Tonight, because of how this CWP process is http://grabtheyoke.blogspot.com/2008/12/thoughts-on-cwp-process.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79553197103071462.post-8434827232687305769Tue, 16 Dec 2008 03:07:00 +00002008-12-15T22:35:28.758-05:00CWPsCreate-a-prompt: Pick a random headline from msnbc.com and use it as the first line of a poem.CustodyThe new rules of child custodyare in and folks won't be happy.Turns out anyone can apply:your mom, your dad, the creepy guydown the street, even Tom Cruise.Turns out there's no age limitto the definition of a child, either.Go ahead, apply for custodyof the president. In fact,better get him before http://grabtheyoke.blogspot.com/2008/12/creative-writing-prompt-6.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0