Trying to Write Straight
I have decided to write a straight entry so that I can practice this thing called blogging. What inspired me? I was looking at the New York Times magazine website and there were links to various blogs. Some people can really write well. I am inspired when I read blogs that are about mundane things but the writing is so rich I want to read them anyway. I am not claiming to be this good. I need practice. I never did like keeping these things like a journal because that seems like a record to me. Without interpretation and some insight, what good is a blog?
I want to try to build the courage and gather the energy to be more of a reporter in blogspace. It is an awful lot of work for someone who is not getting paid. But, like I said, good practice. And I really need some place where at least something fresh I have written is being published.
A lot of potentially exciting things are happening for me in the next few months. My horoscope today said something cryptic like great things will happen for me, if I don't take on too much. Here is what I have taken on so far:
I will be working on the design and reading non-fiction submissions for my school's literary magazine this semester. This is something I probably should have volunteered for much earlier, but I kept convincing myself that I would be too busy. I can be so lazy sometimes. Still, getting active this semester will be a good way for me to be more involved with school and tie my name to a real, concrete product. Hopefully I can submit some writing and see it appear in the Review, as well.
This summer, I have received a scholarship and I am in the process of arranging a trip to study and live in Prague for several weeks. The program is for creative writing graduate students to take themed courses at Charles University. It is run through Western Michigan University. I had to ask my advisor if he would nominate me. This made me rather uncomfortable as I have not worked with him very long, only a few weeks. But, he graciously accepted and I think his name on my application had a lot to do with getting that scholarship. If you have a chance, look at the New York Times magazine, he has an excellent article up from last Sunday about dark energy in space. My advisor's name is Richard Panek.
Finally, I am in the final process of a cycle to donate eggs once again, and probably for the last time. Last night I had Sam, my BF, give me my HCG injection in the bottom. Tomorrow morning I will go in for the minimally invasive outpatient "procedure," where they take a long needle and go in vaginally to extract eggs from my swollen follicles. Sounds weird, huh? There's an excellent web site run by the AFA (American Fertility Association, theafa.org). Click on the Fertility link in the top tool bar and scroll down to the link for Third Party Reproduction. They have really good information on the process. I am planning to pitch and write and article that is part narrative and part research on my experience. This will be the third time I donate, but not through the same organization.
Sam is in Austin, Texas, for South by Southwest this weekend. He gets back Saturday. I will probably go see the Pogues that night with my buddy Mark. That should be an incredibly good St. Patrick's day show. Otherwise, keeping myself busy with writing and still looking for a job.
Hey, this straight entry wasn't so bad afterall. Look for more to come.