Love Song: I and Thou
Alan Dugan
Nothing is plumb, level or square:
the studs are bowed, the joists
are shaky by nature, no piece fits
any other piece without a gap
or pinch, and bent nails
dance all over the surfacing
like maggots. By Christ
I am no carpenter. I built
the roof for myself, the walls
for myself, the floors
for myself, and got
hung up in it myself. I
danced with a purple thumb
at this house-warming, drunk
with my prime whiskey: rage.
Oh, I spat rage's nails
into the frame-up of my work:
it held. It settled plumb,
level, solid, square and true
for that great moment. Then
it screamed and went on through,
skewing as wrong the other way.
God damned it. This is hell,
but I planned it, I sawed it,
I nailed it, and I
will live in it until it kills me.
I can nail my left palm
to the left-hand crosspiece but
I can't do everything myself.
I need a hand to nail the right,
a help, a love, a you, a wife.
I'm right now listening to Peter Sagel (12/26/2003) talk about this poem and his story of meeting this poem is great. Plus you get to hear Alan Dugan reciting it.
And now that I've heard him read his poem, I have to say that I prefer the way I recite it.
I think I squealed with glee when I first read this poem. For a literal standpoint, I am often mid-project, working a bit beyond my abilities, and somewhat frustrated. I've got three unfinished projects going--or rather stopped--right now. I've often found myself "drunk on my prime whisky: rage" and feeling rather martyrish. It's at this point that Matt usually talks me down, or peps me up, if that's what the situation calls for. I think every Amish-type, project person needs a counterpart to keep them going, or resting, if need be.
I've never been a fan of the big, extravagant wedding, because I think the vows that really matter are the ones that are said repeatedly in small ways over a long period of time. I believe that helping with projects, whether physically or emotionally is one way that makes a couple solid and actually married.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
Books read in July
July equals good month for non-fiction, not-so-good month for fiction.
Read.
How to talk to a widower.
Jonathan Tropper
Eh. I didn't really like any of the characters. One of those books I just kept reading until I was finished. I will probably have trouble remembering anything about it three months hence.
Away
Amy Bloom
The best part about this novel is that you the reader get to find out what happens to the people the main character, a Russian immigrant named Lillian, encounters as she makes her way across the 1920s United States of America. My main problem with this book had to do with the map in the front cover. There are dots on the map--which to me imply that something happens--that have no bearing on the story. Fargo is clearly labeled, as is Spokane, and absolutely nothing happened there. It distracted from the story.
Superfreakanomics
Steven Levitt & Steven Dunton
Recently I looked over my transcripts and noticed I got a "B" in both Microeconomics and Macroeconomics. Those were tough classes, but I enjoyed them, just as I enjoyed the first book by these authors. This book was fine, but didn't reach the fabulous level that the first one did. I felt that the topics the authors explored were broader and that made this book not the delight that the first one was. I enjoyed learning why prostitutes are like holiday Santas, and all the things connected with that fact, but the data wasn't quite as crisp as in the first book.
One Magic Square
Lolo Houbein
Thank goodness I checked this out from the library. This hasn't been the greatest year for gardening, and this book reminded me that I don't have to give everything up--I can plant now and still get good food for autumn.
This book combines a sort of backyard permaculture theory with the Square Foot Gardening concept, although she uses many things planted in a square yard, rather than one thing planted in a square feet. The author lives in Australia, so some of the plants are called by names we wouldn't use, but this "ease-into-things" guide would be a great start for someone just beginning gardening.
There are a couple of great ideas I will use from the book. For instance, plant your starts in toilet paper rolls. The roots can grow a long way down the tube before you put them in the ground. When you do, the roll disintegrates over time as the plant grows. Also, cut a three-inch diameter PVC pipe into sections to place over your newly planted seedlings. She then puts screen over the top to protect the seedling from birds, which I've never had a problem with, but this will be perfect to keep the cats away from the newly planted seedlings. They labor under the mistaken notion that all of my vegetable beds are their best litter box and I lose seedlings to their scraping every year.
Essential Pleasures
Robert Pinsky
Finished! I've been reading this collection of poems FOR-EV-ER! I had one library copy for at least six months and then someone requested it, so I had to send it back. But I was so close to the end, I reserved it again and was able to finish it. To figure out which poem I want to memorize each month, I need to read a lot of poems. This was a good anthology, ranging over many centuries with a suitable mix of men and women. It also includes a CD of Pinsky reading some of the poems, which I've not listened to. It does not include a blurb about each poet, which I would have liked, but otherwise, a good book that has yielded seven poems I have memorized and a nice list of potential ones.
Sad side note: I had a list of potential good poems to memorize which accidentally got returned to the library with the book.
The Blind Side
Michael Lewis
I loved this book! Love, love, loved it. Interest in football? Zero. Interest in the surge of importance of a single football position I maybe could point out on the field, but probably not? Nope. Interest in the motives and actions of a white Christian Republican uber-rich Memphis family? Not even. Interest in this book which contains all of the above? Incredible. I couldn't put it down. That is the mark of a very good non-fiction writer. Do you like football? Read this book. Do you not like football? Read this book.
River Kings' Road
Liane Merciel
I really disliked this book. First off, what does every medieval fantasy novel worth its salt have in the front cover? Yes! A map. This is handy for several reasons, but mostly because when I read that Brys and Odosse traveled between Willowfield and some border town in Oakharn I need a visual to understand how far that is and also where everything is in relation to each other. Without that, all those town names are only made-up words on a page. The map makes the narrative real. Other problems? There are too many characters that flit in for two paragraphs and then don't return for 50 pages. When they do return, they appear without reintroduction, which would be fine if they were memorable characters in the first place. Unfortunately, they weren't and I didn't care enough to flip back and find out who they were--and here e-readers with their search function would be very handy in this instance, though I suspect I wouldn't actually use the function-- so I spent substantial portions of the narrative thinking, "who is this?" Also, the author employs the abhorrent Steven King technique of killing off a very nice innocent minor character whose kindness should have been rewarded. Overall, this was an entirely unsatisfying 388 pages and I don't recommend this book in any way, shape or form.
Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage
Elizabeth Gilbert.
I loved this book. I love Glibert's glib, funny, thoughtful and research-informed writing style. I am a skeptic about the issue of marriage too, and suppose I would get married if it was the only way to keep my partner in the country. But because I don't have to? This book just added a lot of fuel to the "not getting married" fire, which I see as a good thing. The section about her mother was particularly heartbreaking to read.
Started but did not finish.
10-10-10: 10 Minutes, 10 Months, 10 Years. A Life-Transforming Idea.
Suzy Welch
I didn't make it even halfway through this short book because there is not much there. At this point, I get that when I have a problem, I should think about it from a perspective of 10 hours, 10 months, 10 years. The many ways she is presenting the information has become repetitive. She does her best to show it from brain research perspective, but I'm yawning. Plus, I just got some medieval fantasy fiction from the library.
Read.
How to talk to a widower.
Jonathan Tropper
Eh. I didn't really like any of the characters. One of those books I just kept reading until I was finished. I will probably have trouble remembering anything about it three months hence.
Away
Amy Bloom
The best part about this novel is that you the reader get to find out what happens to the people the main character, a Russian immigrant named Lillian, encounters as she makes her way across the 1920s United States of America. My main problem with this book had to do with the map in the front cover. There are dots on the map--which to me imply that something happens--that have no bearing on the story. Fargo is clearly labeled, as is Spokane, and absolutely nothing happened there. It distracted from the story.
Superfreakanomics
Steven Levitt & Steven Dunton
Recently I looked over my transcripts and noticed I got a "B" in both Microeconomics and Macroeconomics. Those were tough classes, but I enjoyed them, just as I enjoyed the first book by these authors. This book was fine, but didn't reach the fabulous level that the first one did. I felt that the topics the authors explored were broader and that made this book not the delight that the first one was. I enjoyed learning why prostitutes are like holiday Santas, and all the things connected with that fact, but the data wasn't quite as crisp as in the first book.
One Magic Square
Lolo Houbein
Thank goodness I checked this out from the library. This hasn't been the greatest year for gardening, and this book reminded me that I don't have to give everything up--I can plant now and still get good food for autumn.
This book combines a sort of backyard permaculture theory with the Square Foot Gardening concept, although she uses many things planted in a square yard, rather than one thing planted in a square feet. The author lives in Australia, so some of the plants are called by names we wouldn't use, but this "ease-into-things" guide would be a great start for someone just beginning gardening.
There are a couple of great ideas I will use from the book. For instance, plant your starts in toilet paper rolls. The roots can grow a long way down the tube before you put them in the ground. When you do, the roll disintegrates over time as the plant grows. Also, cut a three-inch diameter PVC pipe into sections to place over your newly planted seedlings. She then puts screen over the top to protect the seedling from birds, which I've never had a problem with, but this will be perfect to keep the cats away from the newly planted seedlings. They labor under the mistaken notion that all of my vegetable beds are their best litter box and I lose seedlings to their scraping every year.
Essential Pleasures
Robert Pinsky
Finished! I've been reading this collection of poems FOR-EV-ER! I had one library copy for at least six months and then someone requested it, so I had to send it back. But I was so close to the end, I reserved it again and was able to finish it. To figure out which poem I want to memorize each month, I need to read a lot of poems. This was a good anthology, ranging over many centuries with a suitable mix of men and women. It also includes a CD of Pinsky reading some of the poems, which I've not listened to. It does not include a blurb about each poet, which I would have liked, but otherwise, a good book that has yielded seven poems I have memorized and a nice list of potential ones.
Sad side note: I had a list of potential good poems to memorize which accidentally got returned to the library with the book.
The Blind Side
Michael Lewis
I loved this book! Love, love, loved it. Interest in football? Zero. Interest in the surge of importance of a single football position I maybe could point out on the field, but probably not? Nope. Interest in the motives and actions of a white Christian Republican uber-rich Memphis family? Not even. Interest in this book which contains all of the above? Incredible. I couldn't put it down. That is the mark of a very good non-fiction writer. Do you like football? Read this book. Do you not like football? Read this book.
River Kings' Road
Liane Merciel
I really disliked this book. First off, what does every medieval fantasy novel worth its salt have in the front cover? Yes! A map. This is handy for several reasons, but mostly because when I read that Brys and Odosse traveled between Willowfield and some border town in Oakharn I need a visual to understand how far that is and also where everything is in relation to each other. Without that, all those town names are only made-up words on a page. The map makes the narrative real. Other problems? There are too many characters that flit in for two paragraphs and then don't return for 50 pages. When they do return, they appear without reintroduction, which would be fine if they were memorable characters in the first place. Unfortunately, they weren't and I didn't care enough to flip back and find out who they were--and here e-readers with their search function would be very handy in this instance, though I suspect I wouldn't actually use the function-- so I spent substantial portions of the narrative thinking, "who is this?" Also, the author employs the abhorrent Steven King technique of killing off a very nice innocent minor character whose kindness should have been rewarded. Overall, this was an entirely unsatisfying 388 pages and I don't recommend this book in any way, shape or form.
Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage
Elizabeth Gilbert.
I loved this book. I love Glibert's glib, funny, thoughtful and research-informed writing style. I am a skeptic about the issue of marriage too, and suppose I would get married if it was the only way to keep my partner in the country. But because I don't have to? This book just added a lot of fuel to the "not getting married" fire, which I see as a good thing. The section about her mother was particularly heartbreaking to read.
Started but did not finish.
10-10-10: 10 Minutes, 10 Months, 10 Years. A Life-Transforming Idea.
Suzy Welch
I didn't make it even halfway through this short book because there is not much there. At this point, I get that when I have a problem, I should think about it from a perspective of 10 hours, 10 months, 10 years. The many ways she is presenting the information has become repetitive. She does her best to show it from brain research perspective, but I'm yawning. Plus, I just got some medieval fantasy fiction from the library.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
8 of 8 on zero copies.
Hmmmm. Maybe I should start checking weekly to see if Dennis Lehane's new Kenzie/Gennario novel that is published on 30 November is available to put on hold.
What's this? It's already in the system? And seven other people have placed holds? Sign me up!
Now the long wait until November 30 (and probably longer as I think they have to take time to process the books) begins. But at least I'm first in line. There are 37 copies on order.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
New color for Disjectia
We've got a hip gallery in the Kenton neighborhood and now it looks much better. Disjecta has painted its exterior walls a lovely dark and light gray with white accents.
Now, normally I wouldn't describe dark/white grey as "lovely" but the old color was a washed out yellow seen here, so this is much, much better.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Good point.
From Committed, by Elizabeth Gilbert
"And this is my beef, by the way, with social conservatives who are always harping about how the most nourishing home for a child is a two-parent household with a mother in the kitchen. If I--as a beneficiary of that exact formula--will concede that my own life was indeed enriched by that precise familial structure, will the social conservatives please (for once!) concede that this arrangement has always put a disproportionately cumbersome burden on women? Such a system demands that mothers become selfless to the point of near invisibility in order to construct these exemplary environments for their families. And might those same social conservatives--instead of just praising mothers as "sacred" and "noble"--be willing to someday join a larger conversation about how we might work together as a society to construct a world where healthy children can be raised and healthy families can prosper without women having to scrape bare the walls of their own souls to do it?"
"And this is my beef, by the way, with social conservatives who are always harping about how the most nourishing home for a child is a two-parent household with a mother in the kitchen. If I--as a beneficiary of that exact formula--will concede that my own life was indeed enriched by that precise familial structure, will the social conservatives please (for once!) concede that this arrangement has always put a disproportionately cumbersome burden on women? Such a system demands that mothers become selfless to the point of near invisibility in order to construct these exemplary environments for their families. And might those same social conservatives--instead of just praising mothers as "sacred" and "noble"--be willing to someday join a larger conversation about how we might work together as a society to construct a world where healthy children can be raised and healthy families can prosper without women having to scrape bare the walls of their own souls to do it?"
Friday, July 16, 2010
Three sentence movie reviews: Inception
I'm not the biggest fan of CGI, but this is the kind of movie CGI was made for. An incredibly complex story explained so well you become completely absorbed, it is peopled with fabulous actors and stunning visuals. Fabulous and highly recommended, you can resume breathing after the movie ends.
poster from: http://www.impawards.com/2010/inception.html
Thursday, July 15, 2010
A lovely dinner
Delicious salad with zucchini, mini quiche and strawberries from the garden for dessert.Friday, July 9, 2010
Three sentence movie reviews: Dan in Real Life
I really liked this movie and I think it was because it was a humorous drama about tension in a family, yet no character was bad, or stupid, or the obvious one you should hate. In fact, this was the kind of movie family I wouldn't mind being a part of in real life. This is a nice way to spend two hours, and also a good movie to watch with the often-mentioned church going Grandmother.
Note: I think the poster implies this film is much more "zany" than it is.
poster from: http://www.impawards.com/2007/dan_in_real_life.html
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Three sentence movie reviews: Walk Hard. The Dewy Cox Story.
Funny in that "heh-heh" way, and very well done by everyone. I particularly enjoyed the songs and obvious setting of place and age via character dialogue a la: "You are the best 14 year old son I could ever ask for." The DVD extras include a funny feature wherein actual famous musicians pretend Dewy Cox is real.
ps. Dan Bern is a songwriter on some of the songs and there are also THREE actors from The Office in this movie.
poster from: http://www.impawards.com/2007/walk_hard.html
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
More Bucky vs. World Cup
Three sentence movie reviews: How to Train Your Dragon.
Until today, I was not aware that the McMenamins St Johns Theater & Pub was only cooled with a fan, a disappointing fact, as I was seeking air conditioning. Still, this was a good enough movie, that I didn't mind sweating in the dark with random people, rather than at home alone. Who knew dragons were so much like kitties?
poster from: http://www.impawards.com/2010/how_to_train_your_dragon_ver4.html
(Note that this poster was the only one on the site I could find that did not say "3D" I saw the 2D version of the movie)
(Note that this poster was the only one on the site I could find that did not say "3D" I saw the 2D version of the movie)
Three sentence movie reviews: Date Night
My motivation for seeing this during our heat wave was the air conditioned theater, so my expectations were pretty low. Perhaps due to that, I was impressed by the Fey/Carell comedy duo, the various predicaments and overall, I quite enjoyed this. At the very end of the credits is one last funny outtake, so if you've made it to the credits, keep going.
poster from: http://www.impawards.com/2010/date_night.html
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Get Fuzzy vs. World Cup
I left these big so you can click and read them. Get Fuzzy Had a great World Cup week.
Bucky and I seem to have the same view of soccer.
Though, of course I don't begrudge people for playing soccer, or watching it.
Bucky and I seem to have the same view of soccer.
Though, of course I don't begrudge people for playing soccer, or watching it.
Three sentence movie reviews--Silverado
I confused this with Blazing Saddles in my mind and spent the first 30 minutes waiting for it to be funny. Once I figured out it was not supposed to be a funny movie, I quite enjoyed this. I'm not much of a fan of westerns, but this is packed full of a lot of good acting.
poster from: http://www.impawards.com/1985/silverado.html
Monday, July 5, 2010
Three sentence movie reviews--I've Loved You So Long.
I'm jealous of Kristen Scott Thomas' ability to make a French movie where she speaks French like a native--though they did have to throw in a line about her living in England for a long time. The tension in this movie comes from not knowing and the slow reveal keeps you hooked. This movie is also a nice tutorial on middle aged, middle class French fashion, which I found delightful.
By the way, this totally meets the Bechdel standard: Two women? Yes! Who talk to each other? Yes! About something besides a man? Yes!
poster from: http://www.impawards.com/2008/ive_loved_you_so_long_ver2.html
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Three sentence movie reviews--De-Lovely
Cole Porter's story is ultimately a sad once, a fact which couldn't be overcome by peppy musical numbers, pretty costumes or good acting. It was fun to hear so many Cole Porter songs, and the aging of the characters was well done. I didn't love this movie.
poster from: http://www.impawards.com/2004/de_lovely.html
Friday, July 2, 2010
Bus Tips: Vomit Wisely
I'm willing to bet that 87% of the vomit in public is the result of over consumption of alcohol. So most of you may be too drunk to make a better choice, but could you please pick a better place to throw up than exactly where I stand every morning to wait for the train? Two steps to your right or left would have had you puking either on the tracks, or over the railing.
The problem isn't just that you have made the area where I stand a disgusting biohazard, it's also that Trimet doesn't come around to clean very often. I'm sure they do the best they can, but your stomach acids and bits of food sat there for several days soaking into the concrete and they have created a stain. I'll be looking at that stain for a long time, thanks to your choice.
So next time please aim for the tracks or the street. Thanks.
The problem isn't just that you have made the area where I stand a disgusting biohazard, it's also that Trimet doesn't come around to clean very often. I'm sure they do the best they can, but your stomach acids and bits of food sat there for several days soaking into the concrete and they have created a stain. I'll be looking at that stain for a long time, thanks to your choice.So next time please aim for the tracks or the street. Thanks.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Snail
I know that snails are mostly a pest and they just chew through so many good garden things. But they are so darn pretty.I-5 Bridge North at Rush Hour.
I had a class to get to in Vancouver, so off I rode on my bike. There is a section of the bike path to the I-5 bridge where the path is surrounded by freeway and freeway on ramps.
On this Thursday night traffic was not moving.
Not on the freeway, not on the on ramps, no where.
I beat a lot of these cars over the bridge.
Though then I had a long ride up a gradual hill before I got to my class.
I don't want a huge bridge to replace the current bridge, I think the people who choose to live in Vancouver and work in Portland have made their beds and need to lie in them. I would, however, be in favor of a bridge the same size with a rush hour tolling structure, and the extension of light rail across the Columbia into Vancouver. In the meantime, I'm glad I have no reason (nor car) to drive across the bridge during rush hour.
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