You'll meet other writers in classes, of course, and at events sponsored by your program. (Ours includes a start-of-the-year welcome reception, an end-of-the-year acknowledgement of achievement, student readings, a one-act play festival, etc.) You'll get invited to parties. Writing groups will form and creative partnerships will develop—and will continue even after you graduate. You'll get leads and recommendations for jobs. All of this has happened to (or by) me.

You'll also have the opportunity to network with the larger literary community. You'll meet and develop relationships with faculty. You'll hear guest speakers and attend panel discussions. You'll better know—and be known by—agents, editors, and other writers more experienced than yourself.

Writing can be lonely work, but it doesn't always have to be, and a graduate program can boost even the shyest introvert's social life.

Has this been your experience, too—or has it not?

Caught in the ’Net

The New York Times lauds the proper use of a semicolon.

This course will approach “English Studies” as an on-going conversation, not as an object of study that is static and unchanging. In the spirit of Kenneth Burke’s metaphor of a “parlor,” this class will be an attempt to catch the “tenor of the argument” for/over/with “English Studies.” It will be useful to keep in mind the following passage from Burke’s The Philosophy of Literary Form: Studies in Symbolic Action as we begin our inquiry:

Imagine that you enter a parlor. You come late. When you arrive, others have long preceded you, and they are engaged in a heated discussion, a discussion too heated for them to pause and tell you exactly what it is about. In fact, the discussion had already begun long before any of them got there, so that no one present is qualified to retrace for you all the steps that had gone before. You listen for a while, until you decide that you have caught the tenor of the argument, then you put in your oar. Someone answers; you answer him [or her]; another comes to your defense; another aligns himself [or herself] against you, to either the embarrassment of gratification of your opponent, depending upon the quality of your ally’s assistance. However, the discussion is interminable. The hour grows late, you must depart. And you do depart, with the discussion still vigorously in progress (110-111, brackets mine).

In fact, our course will begin with several stories or narratives about English Studies told from several different vantage points. You will not be asked to judge which story is “correct” or which story has the most “credibility.” Rather, you will be asked to consider the differences among the stories as well as places where there are repetitions, similarities, and synergies. We will be inquiring into how these stories differ and what may account for these differences. Put another way, we will not be trying to put English Studies in a box. Rather, we will be mapping its coastlines, mountains, and valleys. Along our journey we will be paying attention to seminal texts, key figures, significant institutions, defining moments, and influential concepts. In short, we will be studying “English Studies” like we study other texts.

The Class Blog

This blog you are reading right now will be our digital parlor this semester.  Here we will discuss, wonder, debate, rant, question, collaborate, and share until the "hour grows late."  In addition to the writing you and I will be doing here, you will also find links to course resources (such as the syllabus and assignments), links to relevant sites and articles, and some things that are just for fun.  In fact, I will ask you to help add to this site as we begin a conversation that will extend well beyond the end of this semester.  In a sense, you are the ones who will help shape the "tenor of the argument" and how we understand "English Studies" at Kutztown.

I look forward to meeting all of you soon!  In the meantime, please read McComiskey's "Introduction" to his collection English Studies: An Introduction to the Disciplne(s) for the first day of class...so we can get the ball rolling right away!  Until then...

Let me know why else-or why not-one should attend a writing program. (And perhaps how to rephrase that dangling preposition in my first sentence!)

Caught in the ’Net

Grammar Girl "Begs the Question." I know now that I have been using the phrase wrongly-I'm just still not sure how to use it correctly.

On the one hand, I am ready to be done with school—as one classmate recently said, "It's time to poop or get off the pot." On the other, I envy the new students who are just now embarking on their journeys. This week, as my final semester gets under way, I'll be reviewing what I've gained from earning my master's:

Education

Not least among the benefits of getting a master's degree is the degree itself. One of the reasons I entered a graduate program is that I felt undereducated. That MPW (or MFA) certainly is a valuable addition to your resume.

More than that, though, I did come away from the program with useful feedback on the writing I produced while I was there and tools and techniques that I will be able to apply to my work ongoing. My concept of myself as a writer expanded from nonfiction and fiction to poetry, plays, and screenplays. And I was introduced to ideas, books, and authors that otherwise would have remained off my radar.

I'll continue to discuss master's degrees throughout the week. In the meantime, let me know if you have any additional thoughts—or whether you disagree.

Caught in the ’Net

BookFox drafts a ranking of literary journals.

I used on of these "Three Fun Ways to Map Your Story Ideas" to write today's post.

The results of the the 26th annual Bulwer-Lytton contest have been announced.

Perhaps this secret shame is what drives many of us to proudly display our diplomas in our offices, even though intellectually, everyone knows that none of us would be where we are without terminal degrees. I know that I am driven not only by this secret shame but also by the realization that despite the fact that my business card and email signature end in "Ph.D" and I'm referred to all over campus as "Dr. Amy Martin," people walk into my office to find what I've been told looks like a fifteen-year old girl sitting behind my desk. And while my youthful appearance might score me some points if I were still looking to get a date to the prom, I figure that displaying my diploma in my office might give me some necessary credibility that my physical person doesn't necessarily project (and the Dave Matthews Band tour posters on my office wall probably don't help much in the credibility department, but you'll have to pry those off my walls over my dead body).

So there it sits on my desk for all to see, in a lovely document frame--my Ph.D diploma. Except the document frame is an eight inch by ten inch, and my diploma is a little too small to take up the space, so I had to put a blank piece of paper behind the certificate to give the image that my document actually fits in the document frame. And then a few years ago, the ceiling in my apartment leaked, and my certificate got wet in the corner and now sports an ugly brown water stain.

But I'm generally pretty proud of my Little Ph.D Certificate That Could. And then I go to someone else's office and see some eleven inch by seventeen inch monster in a gigantic oak frame, and I just want to run back to my office and put my certificate in a drawer before someone comes over and inwardly laughs at it, my teeny little diploma that looks like someone peed on it. 

And yes, I know--I know that it's not the size of the diploma that matters but what you do with it. I know that for my particular field--composition studies--I went to one of the best schools in the country. But some days I long for a gigantic, old-fashioned diploma printed on real sheepskin. I remember a friend of mine once showed me her grandfather's master's degree and the thing took up half the goddamn wall. And it was a master's degree, which made me wonder if Ph.D diplomas in those days were the size of plasma-screen TVs (and, ironically, my bachelor's and master's diplomas are larger in size than my Ph.D diploma, which is just an example of the quirky and entirely random differences between institutions of higher education).

But, again--it's not the size of the degree but what you do with it. And sometimes, it's not the degree at all-some of the most insightful people I've ever met didn't finish high school, and a few of the biggest lamebrains I've come across hold terminal degrees in their respective fields. "Smart" and "capable" are matters of context. For example, while you might want me critiquing your writing, you certainly wouldn't want me managing your finances. Under any circumstances. Trust me--you don't want me around math.

And, ultimately, I know that on days when I'm feeling particularly unworthy of being anywhere within striking distance of the ivory tower, looking up at my wall and seeing a diploma as big as a Medieval tapestry isn't going to help me. And, on the other hand, some days all I need to do is look over at my little water-stained Ph.D to know that I spent years preparing and that I really do belong in the same room as the rest of the smart kids. But either way, it's all about me and my abilities, and a little (or big) piece of paper isn't going to change that. 

And yet, a Ph.D diploma that's at least as big as my TV would be nice. But I won't hold my breath for a replacement.

"You look like a girl who never gets lost," said a sweet Indian gentleman at the local convenient store. 

"Why would you say that?"

It was only then he pointed to the compass around my neck that I realized where he was coming from. 

"Oh. No. I don't get lost very often." 

Which I don't. 

However, I do get desperate. 

So at the moment, I'm writing articles for this website, but I'm getting paid in American dollars, so I need to find a job in London fast. Especially since I just recently moved into a nice flat in Islington for 600 pounds a month in rent! Yeah, there was no deposit, I could afford it. 

Not to mention my flatmates are this boho chic "John and Yoko" (Tilia likes to call them) couple named Helga and Javier. Helga is white german who used to have blonde Rastafarian dreads and Javier is a hot Naveen Andrews look a like Cuban with long dark curls and a child's laugh. He watches sports alot, which turns me off. However there's something strangely sexy knowing I'm taking a shower in the same place right after him. Anyway, they're lovely, though they never seem to leave the house after work. Which is a shame because I can't take advantage of the pimp living room and flat screen TV too often without them breathing down my neck. 

I was actually worried about being attracted to Javier, since he is Helga's husband after all, and I like Helga so I wouldn't want to go there anyway...But I think the little crush has passed, as he seems to have little patience for the intellectual, the biggest turn on to me. He's a bit of a simpleton. But because of this, he  is extra super nice, which is sometimes a turn on. Plus the accent never hurt anything. 

He was showing me how to use the vacuum and when he said the word "suck" I wanted to faint. Yes, Tilia thinks this is foolish. I never suggested otherwise. 

But back to the job fiasco. It seems the more online applications I seem to fill out the more discouraged I've become. I'm about to get a job in a dinky shop somewhere close to where I live just to pay the rent. Isn't it great to have a Master's Degree? 

Sigh. 

the former reality was that going to college was a sign of privalege and money and/or hard word and dedication. the present reality is that, because so many people have them, degrees can no longer be used to set the bar. in fact, any given hiring pool will have at least several applicants with master's degrees. so how does a potential employer whittle down candidates?

the answer is simple: up the ante now the qualifications include a specialized degree with at least 3-5 years experience. (additional training and certifications are a plus.)

We had around 20 people show up at our kickoff event held at RAF Mildenhall, and so far, we are looking at around 18 members! It's really exciting to know that all of this hard work is paying off! If you've read the previous posts about WAI, than you know that I started with three people in mind. So 18 people exceeds my expectations for sure! We'll be doing more memberships drives and events to recruit members, but 18 to start with is awesome!

So...we have about 10 pilots, a scheduler, an A&P mechanic, a weapons systems controller, three educators, an Air Force Commander and Navigator, and a few others that I'm ashamed to say I can't remember exactly what they do. 

After our press release came out, we got a story published in the Stars & Stripes Newspaper, and we've been approached to speak to eighth-graders in an aerospace class!

I have most of my board members that I needed, and after tomorrow, we should have all of them appointed and ready to start working on this. A webiste is in the making, so watch for that!

Also, we've been invited to our first group event- a WWII-style dinner and dance at the Glenn Miller museum here in England! I can't wait to post pictures of all of our happenings!

Sidenote- class starts Friday! woo-hoo!

While Jett was running drills, my little boys and I picnicked on a blanket under a tree to watch him. Our location just happened to be right next to one of the football stations. The coach working that station was quite entertaining with the football terminology he shouted. Fortunately, I recorded some of the phrases he introduced into my vocabulary to share with you.

However, I don't know what all of them mean, I think I need a slang football terminology lesson. Read them and let me know if you have any insight.

A good tackle doesn't matter if it happens in the end zone.

You're gonna have brain damage.

I didn't hear any plastic. Well done.

If you hit him there he's gonna jack you up every time.

Please, don't hit my baby too hard!

My hand it going to be a pretend butt.

Please, don't hit my baby too hard!

The whole stadium knows that was a fake.

In real life that cornerback would have taken his head off.

Please don't hit my baby too hard!

Those are the best hands I've seen on a #76.

That was all arms and no legs.

Okay, the "please don't hit my baby too hard," was actually the intercessory prayer going through my head. My boy was the smallest kid out of the 55 boys participating. I felt the need for prayer!

By the way, what would a brandiandboys post be without a photo?!? Here's my baby dressed like a man.

And here he is in action!

He was the cutest stinkin' thing ever in that uniform. Smelled pretty ripe too, but the cuteness factor outweighed the stench!

Have a great day and remember "My hand is going to be a pretend butt." That one gets me every time!

PS - also remember you have until Friday to enter the book-giveaway. I'm really enjoying reading all the reasons you all need a copy of the "sex" book!

I have lived in Port Harcourt, Nigeria for the last one year. That is where I worked in a Law Firm, met my boyfriend, got engaged to him and have been living thus far. 'Home', where my parents live and where I grew up, is a small country side village called Gana Ropp, about an hour's drive from Jos, the capital of Plateau State. It is a really beautiful place, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful I've ever experienced. And I'm going back there in three days.

My fiance and I are both heart broken, but we have prayed about it and feel strongly that this is the Lord's leading. It isn't going to be easy for any of us; first of all, we have practically been living in each other's pockets for the past one year. We see each other everyday of the week, every week of the month, every month the past 12 months. I keep asking myself how I'm going to survive without him. There's a phrase in my language, yoruba (one of the languages of western Nigeria), which describes the sort of relationship we have, it is 'kori ko soon' literally translated to mean 'Doesn't see, won't sleep'. This transition is well. . . a transition.

Secondly, almost any Twenty Something knows that going back to live at home can be difficult; doesn't matter how great your folks are - like mine. And that's just what I'm going to do. To give them their due, they got me a little cottage not too far from them but . . . a rose by any other name?

So what would I spend my days doing? Working in another law firm? I've decided to go off practicing law for a while - well, no one can quite get out of that. Once your neighbours know you are a Lawyer here, that's when they suddenly remember a piece of land their great grand father left for their grand father, which his brother stole (complicated, I know). But besides that, here's what I'll be doing:

• Running the family guest house. It is actually a Prayer and Retreat Centre; so if you ever find yourself in my neck of the woods and need a quiet, serene, homely place to stay, c'mon over! (I'm already marketing am I not?);
• Earning a Masters Degree. Online. Preferably something which combines the internet and international law. Any suggestions? Presently, all I have are brochures from UK universities and I think since our educational system here in Nigeria was patterned after that in the UK, I need a bit of the US in my education. But I don't know any Colleges that offer a Masters in anything like that. I would really appreciate all the help here.
• Running my Myriad Blogs. Don't ask cos they are indeed myriad. And I set up blogs and run them for people. Why would folks want to blog if they can't do it themselves? I don't look a gift horse in the mouth. It pays some bills.

Right. So that's it for my plans for the next few months. Maybe one year. I will see it as a training period. I intend to understudy my mum, learn how to be a good wife and mother. I really do not understand why God wants this separation, but one thing I know is that I trust Him to do what's good for me. Always.

[caption id="attachment_26" align="alignright" width="270" caption="La mémoire demeure"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_28" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Second British Army Deployments"][/caption]

• Look at the specific themes of memory within the novels and the pictorial elements that may be involved - what is the importance and relevance of memory in creating these narratives? And how does it help us with our knowledge of the past, and recapturing it for future generations to share?

• How does the memory narrative in these novels interact with the idea of bearing witness? Current authors writing about the past don't fall into the most common aspects of the testimony category, yet it is a way of preserving the past. A sort of homage to the pain and suffering that was experienced?

• Why do authors write about the past? Why is Sebastian Faulks so obsessed with France? Why are past events, like WWII and the Holocaust still so important? Do they still have relevance for us? What impact/emotional effect do the photographs from these conflicts have upon us? Why have I always been haunted by my grandfather's experiences during the war? What do the photos of him in uniform mean to me? (Can I get this personal in my dissertation?) What does it mean to my life? Look at the interviews with Faulks and McEwan that talk about their childhood and their fathers and grandfathers and the influence of their experiences upon them.

• Memory is an important element in the current fiction I will be using, especially W.G. Sebold's work, to build the narrative and create the suspense and plot. Photography plays a part in this too - allowing us to create a visual dimension to the story as well - look at Sartre's Psychology of the Imagination here? Need to look at the psychology behind memory and inspiration, maybe the Timothy Clark book will help here, or the Arthur Koestler one - how memory and inspiration and imagination interact and how photography can be useful within this process of creation.

Her name is OWOA Galicia and she had wanted to interview me about media in SL and the laws or lack of them, regulating it.  After Drax left she came over for a chat and we had an interesting interview.  She is taking her Masters degree in journalism and seems to be very on the ball with her impressive looking website.  You can read her interview with me at: http://mediainsecondlife.wordpress.com/2008/07/27/a-cnn-ireporters-view-on-sl-media-regulations/

I've been thinking about memory a lot recently, and the role that memories play in our lives.  How our minds can warp and twist our recollections of the past to make them into something slightly different from the reality, or from the perception of another person who was present at the same time or event.  We can look at an old photograph from childhood and be strangely discomfited because a sofa in an old lounge is not the colour we recall it being; a painting we are sure was of a shipwreck is actually of cocklers at dawn; or a grandparent we can vividly remember being healthy and strong as an ox actually looks old and worn, the signs of cancer that a child so easily misses heartbreakingly clear to the adults around them.

My dissertation stems from a very personal place, but then some of the best research in literary history does.  Roland Barthes explored questions of identity and memory through images in Camera Lucida, his last and most private book,and assesses the emotional impact that different photographs and photographers have upon him, and discusses whether the essence of people, situations and a point in time can be captured in photographs.  Barthes is searching for identity, life and truth within photographs and his passionate attempts to assess the nature of photography and his findings will, I feel, lend themselves to augmenting my own research into the uses and cultural impact of photography.

]]> http://willowbnero.wordpress.com/?p=108 Sun, 20 Jul 2008 01:10:14 +0000 wbnero http://willowbnero.wordpress.com/?p=108 I realized yesterday that I have no idea what my life is about, which is part of why it's been so hard for me to decide whether to go to grad school, get a job or do something completely different. This situation has me really confused. It's hard enough deciding the perfect time to jump into the job market when newspapers are seeing such big cuts. Now I'm wondering what I want to do in life. It's also not easy that my parents have different values than me.

So to discover what I want to do in life, here's the list of things I'd do if money was not an issue:

-Become fluent in French.
-Learn a different pace of life (commune, foreign country)
-Write more and publish my poetry, if not fiction also.
-Get a master's (at least)
-Meet interesting people.
-Eat well and cook lots.
-Have plenty of time for lounging and reading outdoors.
-Build a garden and fill my house with plants.
-Adopt a cat or small dog.
-Not have too many bosses running my life.
-Write a book.
-Join a writer community to write/revise/discuss.
-Study more history and the South.
-Become somewhat famous/important.
-Enjoy the outdoors rustically.

I don't have to make tons of money. I don't have to have a solid one-way career. I don't care what the master's is in or when I do it. I just feel that these things make me happiest now. I would say writing is my "calling." I don't really care much about volunteer work or devoting my life to God or anything like that. It's fun, but I'm selfish. Sadly, this has not given me any answers about what to do next.

Journalism can satisfy meeting people, picking up history, writing a book and just plain writing (video reporting does count as writing in my opinion - it's still quotes, you write the occasional voiceover and you make it come to life with neat images, which are worth a thousand words - it's still an art).

But my life is not all about journalism or my career. My most solid answer right now is to identify a path to my dream job, identify paths to potentially interesting graduate programs, and make a decision when I know what's actually available based on what I get. This sucks, but I have to do it. It means I'll have to find a way to take the GRE, fill out lots of grad school applications, identify the journalism job I most want, and apply for jobs along that line.

So, if you have ideas, let me know. Is it a good time to secure a job since our industry is experiencing cuts? Is it better to weather the storm in grad school? Maybe I'll decide on getting experience before grad school and delay this whole situation.

I am a little worried though, about the possible difficulties I'm going to encounter as a result of studying at a University that is on the other side of the country, especially when you consider that from where I am, its cheaper to fly to New Zealand than it is to Perth. But I'm sure that I'm worrying unnecessarily, and that the Department is probably a well oiled machine at this thing by now, (cue nervous laugh) right?

As you may have figure out by now, the course is delivered entirely through the external mode, which means for the moment I can keep my job whilst I'm earning my new qualification. I think that in the near future though I will try to drop to working only four days a week so that I can devote a little more time to my studies, and to hopefully gaining some relevant work experience. I must confess that I'd really like to just pick up everything and move over there on a whim, just because I can, just for a change, but alas my fantasies are hemmed in a the moment by my financial reality. Perhaps in the not too distant future my studies will convince me otherwise, and I'll hatch some hair brained scheme to get myself over there muwhahaha!

Anyways back at reality ranch, let me tell you a little about my course. The main reason I chose this course (other than the fact that they were the only University I contacted that expressed enthusiasm at my desire to become a librarian) was that I really liked the structure of the degree and the breadth of skills they are trying to equip you with. Basically, to give you a brief run down without boring you terribly, the course is divided into three 100 credit clusters; in order to obtain the award you must do 100 credits from the librarianship major, 100 credit points from core information theory and technology units, before finally you get open slather on what you wish to use your last 100 credit points for. You can do more units from the above two majors, you can elect to undertake a major in archives and exit with a dual qualification, or interestingly you can chose to undertake original research and hand in a thesis. I'm currently torn between the original research and the training in archives. I have no idea what I'd like to undertake original research in, but hey I've got time to figure it out. For now my first unit off the rank is called 'Information Management Technologies', which according to the unit outline aims to provide me with:

"an overview of the information industry and the use of computers and communication technologies to manage personal and professional information. The unit discusses the structure of the information society, the basic characteristics of information services, and the legal and ethical issues relevant to the supply of information. It covers the basics of networked computing, electronic resources, internet search engines, database creation, data sharing and manipulation, multimedia, bibliographic software, virtual libraries, archives and their security needs"

I feel more computer savvy for having just read the course outline! Really the title of the post says it all; colour me excited! :D

The first is another MBA, this time in religious studies. I'm fascinated by religion in all ways, but more important, I sense something right now. See, I'm thinking specifically of guys like Sam Harris and Christopher Hitchens, both of whom wrote mega-bestselling books concerning the fact that religion is, at its heart, a bad idea.

But I think there's a foundation for all religious thought and pursuit, really. Personally, I don't believe there's any difference between a spell, a prayer, and a meditation session; all are, at their bases, pretty much mainly modes of positive thinking. Same thing with that The Secret book from last year or so.

The problem, I think, is that Harris and Hitchens lack a scientific background, and are approaching religion from a mainly philosophical/ethical point of view.

Which is fine, of course.

But I think it misses some very huge things. I honestly think that the fact that most people believe in something of a divine nature has some substantive argument to it. But most of all, I think the more one examines biology and quantum electromechanics and physics, the more one starts to not just believe but realize that there's something greater going on.

Einstein himself said that religion without science is lame, but science without religion is blind.

And I think there's something there.

So I could, in theory, design a degree in something like scientific deology (they're not allowed to use the word "theology," apparently, for some Arch-Diocesan reason [okay, so there's a spot where Hitchens and Harris have a point]), and ultimately produce a book I'm planning, called Godology, on the application of the scientific method to areas including God and the afterlife.

Or, I could go for an MBA. Which would really sort of be the first practical degree I could actually use I'd be earning.

And the thing is, it's not a question of passion or love or whathaveyou, because just the existence of this blog and all I've done related to writing is evidence of how I'm fascinated by marketing and branding. I'm aiming for "Entrekin" to become a brand every bit as much as Crichton and King and Gaiman are. I'm not solely concerned with the airy-fairy artsy-fartsy aspect of writing, which is the most major reason I chose USC to study writing; it was about professional writing. About the craft of it yes, but also about selling it.

Because I'll be honest; I'm not solely trying to write the best books I can. I'm also trying to get them to as many readers as I possibly can.

And part of that is marketing. Part of that is both about analyzing target audience and then reaching it.

So this weekend, I've got some figuring out to do. I think, ultimately, the MBA is probably more practical, and I'll certainly write Godology anyway.

Yes, this Topical Tuesday is all about the volume: TURN IT UP! Or maybe for me, turn it down. We're all a little different with our noise preferences when we sit down at the computer to write (or just work), but in order to do what needs doing, we all need it to be the pitch and volume we like it.

Noise In Israel

When I was getting my Masters in Jerusalem, I happened to live on the corner of a particularly busy street (Hapalmach and Koveshei Katamon, for those of you who may be familiar), and it was a noisy street. The #13 bus ran down Hapalmach and began very early in the morning and ended very late. Cars honked incessantly (everywhere in Israel) and motorbikes roared. It was also heavily trafficked by pedestrians and people had no consideration for the volume of their voices as they reprimanded their children, called out to a friend or simply discussed the days events. Honestly, all that noise never made it too hard for me to work. I wrote and I read and I did just fine.

But then the Sabbath would come. Though Israel itself stays relatively lively on Saturday (that's the Jewish Shabbat), Jerusalem truly becomes very quiet and Sabbath-like. All the buses stop, very few people continue driving, and though the foot-traffic increases so more people are talking on the streets, there really is something less noisy about it all. Shabbat was quiet and on Shabbat you better believe I could concentrate and got some work done (though you're not supposed to work or use computers and electricity or write, but if that's the only time Israelis shut-up what can God expect).

Quiet in the U.S.

Upon returning to America I lived in the suburbs in a quiet neighborhood where the only noise was the kids across the street playing for an hour outside as they got home from school. It was blissfully quiet. This is where I wrote most of my book, but this level of silence actually has its ups and downs.

It was so quiet that I'd get sleepy around 1 p.m. (after 5-6 hours of writing) and want to take a nap. With no noise or external distractions, I would succumb to this unnecessary sleeping sensation and waste the rest of my day napping, then being groggy, then saying it was too late to keep writing. So in this way, noise can be good for me and my work.

Volume Up

Now I live on a busy street in downtown San Francisco. Buses go by. People are loud checking into the hotel across the street and walking around, and the noises of the city (and my loud cat) keep me up. Though I haven't begun writing again I think that this environment, similar to my life in Jerusalem, will keep me alert and active and able to write - and if I need to turn down the volume there are always earplugs, my recommendation to everyone who needs that whether awake or trying to sleep.

Oh, and as for music: only when I do mindless work. I can't write to music at all because the rhythm doesn't allow my brain to think entirely in its own way. Do you listen to music when you work?

Do you like noise or quiet when you work? Is your situation conducive to those needs? What tricks do you use to keep things at the proper volume for you?

For more on this Topical Tuesday discussion check out Chandler's blog.

It's a couple who started a home-ran business....cleaning up dog shit. Yes, DOG SHIT. They mustered up the disgustingly brilliant idea to run a company doing what nobody else wants to do. And why not? Wouldn't you rather make millions of dollars a year cleaning up dog shit, rather than make $40,000 per year working under a bunch of people, constantly listening to the shit that comes out of their mouths?

From pre school all the way through high school and into college, you go to school for basically one thing: Eventually make a decent amount of money. So what's the point to all of this, if you can just make millions of dollars per year scooping up animal shit? Why am I wasting my fuck time? Why? This makes me want to rip my throat out and slap it off the pavement, while tap-dancing, barefoot, on a nest full of scorpions. Someone shoot me in my ear with a nail gun, for piss' sakes.

Anyway, here is the brilliant shit-cleaners website: Doody Calls isn't that cute? Yeah, I wasn't lying. These dog shit cleaners do exist, God bless 'em. I'm struggling to get my Masters only to read about a couple who makes millions of dollars per year cleaning up pet feces. Amazing

Congrats to this couple though, you are both brilliant. I wish I would've "thunk" it.