Interning and Performances

I'm having a wonderful time with my internship. I actually get to get out and do things because I can finally make the time. Beforehand my paying job would get in the way of any events I'd like to go to.
I attended a performance of The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later in October. At the end of the month I went to my first midnight screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Shows that I live in the middle of nowhere, seeing it took until now for such a thing to happen. Of course the venues were very happy I was covering those events.

I also went to a wonderful show presented by the Adirondack Center for Writing. Word! It was held in conjunction with a high school writer's retreat, where three professional performance poets gave workshops to students. These poets, Roger Bonair-Agard, Rachel McKibbens, and Samantha Thornhill, then gave a free public showing at Bluseed Studios. All three were fantastic live and just as wonderful to meet. I purchased some books and had them signed. I really should share some of the photos sometime soon. I can't wait for next year's show.

The other weekend I attended a blues rock concert at one of the local bars. Last weekend I attended a storytelling concert to benefit First Night activities. My latest article, which will be out on Wednesday is for an upcoming concert with folk artist Anais Mitchell. The interview was wonderful. I had to do an email interview because of scheduling issues, but the responses she gave me were wonderful. I wish I could have put everything in. Hopefully I'll get to speak with her in person on Friday after the show.
If anything these experiences are showing me how much I have my roots in this town. I'm not saying my hometown is the best place in the world, but it is home for me. I see the bad, but I also see a lot of the good about being here. I see a very strong art community, as a regular at Bluseed's open mics I see a supportive group of artists.

This past Thursday was another Open Minded Mic Night at Bluseed. As always I had a great time. I've actually decided I'm going to have my more performance oriented poems filmed to share on YouTube. I enjoy the instant gratification I get after a performance. Especially since when it comes to doing submissions you have to wait a while for a response, and usually you're at the whims of a publication's editor. I understand that's the business and it's not going to stop me from submitting when I get the time. As of now I'm taking a break from that for school since I don't have much time to pour over journals and decide what poems to send in. My focus right now is more on writing the poems themselves. I'll save submitting for winter break.

Okay, I'll wrap this entry up before it gets too long. I'll share videos of my performances soon. I promise I'll try to update my blog more, maybe get my other half to design a better layout for me. I like green, but I want something more reflective of my own personal style.

Busy Busy Busy

It has been a busy couple months for me.
My trip to Florida was great, and I got some inspiration for new material. I'm hoping I can have drafts I'm satisfied with done soon. Open mic at BluSeed is coming up in two weeks.

I started my internship mid-September. I'm doing arts and entertainment writing and photo coverage. It's been a lot of work, but it's a blast. I'm very glad I'm doing it. Right now I'm working on an article for a Rett Syndrome benefit concert in my town next weekend. My latest articles have to do with the Laramie Epilogue since two local theaters are participating, and an art showing at a local gallery.

I will be working on an article next week about a poetry show featuring renowned performance poets. Two of which were featured on Def Poetry Jam. They're participating as educators in a high school writers' retreat, and after are performing at BluSeed, oddly enough the night after I read my work at open mic. It brings back memories, it was a show very much like this in spring of 08 that got me into writing again.

Yeah, been busy but life is good. I don't know if I'll be doing my own shows since my schedule is already pretty full. It's nice to sit back and let others do the organizing so I just get to read and enjoy the other performers at the open mics. Open mic nights are a great experience, I get to meet so many talented people there. The atmosphere is so friendly and welcoming, anybody can pretty much take the stage there and not worry about being booed off. I've had my misses in terms of reading bad poems onstage, but nobody is discouraging. They'll just encourage you if you have something good.

It's Been Forever

Sorry I've been M.I.A. here. There hasn't been much to talk about really. My past couple events had small turnouts, but the people I do see like what's going on. Hopefully with fall coming I can have my events on a more regular schedule. Open mic nights at my regular venue will be starting again as well, so if I can sync it so that my events are a couple weeks before the open mic I should get a better reception. I was told not to fret, when the open mics started there were times when nobody would show up. It's all a matter of pressing on and tweaking things until you have the right formula.

Meanwhile a friend of mine who owns a coffee shop wants to hold open mics as well. I'm hoping he calls soon so we can start organizing things.

This is going to be a busy fall for me. Mid-September I start the school year and I'll be interning with the local paper. The main focus is going to be with their weekly arts and entertainment supplement, where I'll be scouting out possible events to cover, taking photos and helping with editing, possibly some writing. I'm looking forward to it since having negotiated what my tasks will be. I'll also be taking an advanced course literary interpretation, aside from the textbook and document packet I have six other books to read for that class. Not much of a problem since I love reading and the books look interesting. It's just the whole time factor, between the internship, the class and holding a paying job. I'm sure it'll be easier once I settle in. I'll try to fit in some writing and submitting when I get the time too. Nothing yet for publications, I sent another submission in yesterday.

So my life hasn't been too exciting, and in less than a month it's going to get very busy for a while. I'll be able to up the ante with school in the spring since I'm receiving a scholarship. I'll be able to afford an extra class without having to take out any student loans.

Bats, Crickets and Extra Hours Oh My!

Had an eventful week since my last reading.
The reading itself was not much of a reading. Only one person showed up, someone else had asked about it but was nowhere to be seen at the time of the reading. Still read a few of my latest pieces since the person who did show up is a writer as well. It's always good to connect with others and share ideas and thoughts on writing.

I had figured a night where there were already things going on would guarantee an audience. Unfortunately it seems that people are too tired after the initial goings on of the day. Plus the tourist crowd didn't seem to take interest either. Upon suggestions from some of my acquaintances I've spoken with, I'm going to hold the next reading on a nondescript evening again since there seems to be a better turnout. Just take one of my newer flier designs and change the date on it and it's set to print and post. I should have a more regular schedule for these things starting in the fall.

Had a long weekend at work, night shifts can be interesting to say the least. Got dive-bombed by a bag in the entrance of my building a few nights ago. Had a minor basement-cricket problem as well, only found out about it when the cats started chasing them around the apartment. The room they seemed to be in has been sprayed and I haven't seen a cricket in a couple days. Worked one of my days off to help a co worker who injured herself. Just got a call from another co worker with a medical emergency. Would have helped if I hadn't worked six days in a row already. This is the first day I can actually catch up on all my work. If I hadn't had to work the other day I may have been able to come in tonight. I feel bad, but I had no pressure on the request since I came to someone's aid earlier this week.


And to think this all happens once I start regrouping myself writing-wise. I've been trying to go over one journal a week to determine what poems I can submit where, if at all. Yet with everything else I just haven't had the time until today.

Shows etc.

Have another show tonight, hoping for good weather. There's thunderstorm warnings for today.
I've also planned out my events for August, and they coincide with other local events happening earlier in the day. Fliers are also ready as well, soon as the black ink order comes in I can print and post the next set.

I also need to get off my duff, so to speak, and crack down on sending in submissions. I've grown lazy, downright distracted. I could say it's the ADD, but my parents said to never use it as a cop-out for anything. I'm just distracted. I think it's because it's not as structured as say, making open commitments to others (events) or school or a paying job. Maybe I'll do better if I actually structure a schedule for myself, have a period where I go over a journal and send my own work in. Plus reading in public is more gratifying at this point in time. As shy as I can be, I do enjoy getting out there and talking amongst others.


Time for me to get some rest, I've been running around all day. I need to recharge for tonight.

Events, Rejections, etc

On a good note, I've got my events planned out for the rest of the summer. I'll design fliers soon so I can just print and post when it's time to change the fliers for the next event.

My last event had a smaller turnout, but all attendants were writers. Things will gain momentum as I hold these. People will tell their friends and pretty soon I hope I can see plenty of people showing up.

I also got my second rejection letter. Just gotta keep trying. I'm going to read through another journal and send in a submission in between all the other things I've been doing.

I know that this is a career where letting yourself become discouraged is a way to kill a career. I could always just sink back into the shadows and only write for myself, but what's the fun in making something when I don't feel like sharing it? I just remind myself that I do have fans in my little town. I am working in an under-represented and under-appreciated art. At the same time it's something that shows the human spirit is thriving. For all I know I could end up being the poet who makes the NYT bestseller list, or I'll just remain a poet who is appreciated in whichever community I live in. The point is to just keep going, no matter where I end up. If I bring other writers in my town out to share their work, then I know I've done something good.

Event Tonight

I'm slowly coming out of my writer's block. It's taking time but I felt the spark of inspiration the other night. It was overwhelming at one point because of the intensity. It hit me and then I had to put on some music to fit the mood and just write.
It was a little painful, but as an artist I am willing to put myself through that pain for my art. I enjoy creating something I can share with people, whether I'm writing about something serious or silly.

I am conducting another open reading event tonight as well. I need to put the finishing touches on my latest work. Maybe I'll bring some poems written by other writers I like since I have been in a block since my last event. Maybe I'll bring out some of my older material as well. I have a good while to get everything organized, I'll have my stuff together by then.