Is It Any Wonder I Gave Up Blogging?
On getting behind, catching up, living a life off-screen
That’s me at 2 or 3. Skinned knees. Using my dress to wipe my eyes. Obviously over it. That’s how I’ve felt about trying to create content for this the past (checks last post) two months. I’ve been busy, spending time with my husband, enjoying daily walks/runs, painting, playing with my dogs, seeing friends, going to live shows, and writing a lot, working on my new manuscript and finishing a couple of courses online.
Twitter survives, the hailing of its demise one of the reasons I came back to the long form. I never planned to charge anyone for content, so when I get busy? This is the thing that goes by the wayside. But, for the sake of catching up, here’s a few highlights from the last couple of months.
MUSIC
We met friends to see eXTC at a small club in the city. XTC was always one of my favorite bands in the 80s and 90s, but they never toured due to singer Andy Partridge’s crippling stage fright. So, original drummer Terry Chambers, along with two other musicians, is touring as eXTC and playing deep cuts from the early albums. Even though it wasn’t Andy singing, what a treat it was to hear both hit favorites like “Mayor of Simpleton” and “Senses Working Overtime” and favorite cuts like “Grass” and “Love on a Farm Boy’s Wages” performed live.
I’m looking forward to seeing The New Pornographers in May, and I’m excited for the second annual Cruel World festival in California as well, where I’ll relive college days with Adam Ant, Siouxsie and the Banshees, ABC, Human League, and lots more bands that any young people reading will have never heard of. :)
I’ve been listening to new music from old favorites (New Pornographers, The National), enjoying some great newer music like the boygenius album & Soccer Mommy, and revisiting some go-to bands like Rilo Kiley and The Decemberists.
ART
I’m excited to say that I’ve been sending some art out to literary magazines and starting to get some pieces picked up. This is a different kind of excitement than placing a poem as I’m just learning as a visual artist. I’ll post and share specifics once the pieces run, but suffice it to say that I’m very pleased with where they will appear.
I’ve joined a couple of art groups online and watched a lot of videos about how other artists work to create depth and layering. I still haven’t found one style that I would consider mine, but I am mostly enjoying collage, mixed media and acrylics. I’m continuing to play and see what happens.
TRYING TO FIGHT OFF THE GRIM REAPER
After completing the half marathon run/walking with my niece in January, I’m now focusing on my endurance and speed over shorter distances. I’ve worked my way back up to 30 minutes of running without breaks. My pace is slow, and my knees don’t like it, but they are not completely in revolt. My goal is to be able to run a 5K with no walking in under 40 minutes by the end of May.
WRITING/POETRY MONTH
I’m going for a 30/30 this month for National Poetry Month. I’m using this form calendar from Taylor Byas and Sofia Fey as a way to get me started each day. You can follow them on Twitter to get the information about the workshops.
Carolee Bennett has also posted 30 prompts for the month at her blog Good Universe Next Door. Be sure to check them out any time for some writing inspiration. She provides a prompt and a sample poem to get you inspired.
WRITING/OTHER
I am diligently working on the project that has grown out of my obsession with Billy Budd mentioned earlier this year. It has taken on a life of its own, and it is much more experimental in nature than anything I’ve tried to do before, making it at turns exhilarating and frustrating. I am waiting to hear about a wonderful residency opportunity that is HUGE longshot, and I have two different chapbook manuscripts out at two different contests. Hoping that the universe comes through on at least one of those opportunities.
If not, I’ll just pick myself up off those skinned knees, wipe my face with my hem, and keep on keeping on.
I will try to post more regularly. Try is the operative word, a word and idea that I started this whole Substack thing embracing. It’s always good to meet you here.