Reaction to 2/24 Author Reading

Having only been to one of these readings before I was new to the idea of a professional writer reading their work why you sit an listen.  Initially it sounded somewhat boring because I'm a visual learner and need the text in front of me so I can fully comprehend it.  However, I was thoroughly pleased with the readings from last night. 

Steve Himmer's reading seemed strange from the beginning.  When he commented that his book dealt with a man who markets artificial plants I was turned off because it didn't interest me in the least.  However, I was intrigued by his descriptive language throughout, specifically when he was speaking about the office.  The vivid nature of his language made me feel as though I was actually in the office with the characters. 

Robert Kloss offered up commentary on his Civil War novel in progress.  Incorporating the word "alligator" in his title struck me as odd because based on his reading it didn't make that much sense.  I was floored to hear that Lincoln actually exhumed the body of son because it is such an unusual thing to have happened, let alone to a form president of our country.  Overall, I was least interested in his speech.  The subject matter of his novel is something that doesn't intrigue me and his reading voice was somewhat monotone and I lost attention at various times throughout.

Matt Bell's "Cartographer's Girl" was my favorite reading of the night.  I was visualizing with ease throughout his reading, specifically when he was speaking of the various objects for his job such as the sextants and compasses.  Bell's reading kept on making me question what was going on in his story.  I really wanted to know what specifically was wrong with the girl and about their relationship as a whole.  I kept on needing more.  During the questioning process at the end I was intrigued by his statement where he says he has to have his writing sound as good as it means.  That issue is something that I struggle with tremendously and hope to continue to develop that skill throughout the course.

The night offered valuable writing from professionals.  I"m looking forward to the next one.

6 word memoir extension: "Building Collapse, Heavy Snow, Car Crushed"

          Ever since his promotion a few years ago I feel like Jimmy is on television every few weeks because some disaster or another is happening in Lynn.  He is currently the Deputy Chief of the Lynn Fire Department, which means he is second in command to the Chief.  One of the many roles required in the job is reporting to all major emergencies in town, and then relaying what happens at those emergencies to the media.  On top of that, he is a pretty good Father-in-law as well.

          On the morning of January 27^th Jimmy was woken up around 5 in the morning with terrible news.  A roof collapsed at the GLSS building because of the absurd amounts of snowfall that had accumulated over the past month.  Unfortunately two men were trapped in a car below and could get out.  Being the stoic man that he is he rushed to the scene to take control of the situation.  He knew that people were in danger and he had to do whatever it took to get them out so that they could see their families again. 

          It took dozens of firemen over two hours to dig the men out because their vehicle was completely covered with snow.  Communication with the men was fortunately constant because of cell phones and they always knew what was happening around them.  Firemen had to use the Jaws of Life to rescue the men because steel beams destroyed the rest of the car and the doors could not be opened manually.  Under the direction of Jimmy Mac, these men would be out as quickly and safely as humanly possible.

          Once the men were freed the area around the building turned into a media circus and there to answer any and all questions was Chief McDonald.  Because this happened at the height of the ridiculous winter weather it even drew the attention of the Dianne Sawyer and the ABC World News, who sent out a correspondent to interview Jimmy.  He had answers for all their questions and informed everybody on exactly what happened.  It’s almost like it was just another typical day in his career, but to outsiders it seems like so much more.

          Later that evening after all the hustle and bustle died down my wife and I had dinner over at their house.  As we walked in he was stationed in his standard position, feet up on the coffee table, reading glasses on, Boston Herald Crossword puzzle in hand.  His typical greeting of, “Yo” as we entered was no surprise at all.  We obviously wanted to hear all about the adventures of his morning but he had other ideas.  “Let’s eat, I’m starvin’” was all he could muster out.  There would be no talk about what happened that morning.

          That right there is the difference between us and Chief Jimmy Mac.  What we saw as heroic and awe-inspiring was something that is just regular happenstance for him.  No need to rehash what went on; he lived it and didn’t need to convey anything else.  All we needed to get we could get from the news on TV or the paper the following day.   He would have nothing of the topic the rest of the night.

          Jimmy McDonald.  Humble man, brave fireman, my father-in-law.  Who knows where he will end up next on the streets of Lynn?  All I know is that he will do his very best to make sure every situation is handled and carefully and successfully as possible.

The Mixquiahuala Letters

I was very impressed by the unique use of language that Castillo uses throughout her book.  Particularly, I was drawn to the conversational tone of the letters.  Theresa addresses Alicia in a very casual, informative way and writes as if she is speaking to her as they are sitting down having a glass of wine.  There is lots of rambling and jumping from topic to topic much like somebody may do in a conversation.  She conveys much information easily and doesn't seem to struggle in the transition from topic to topic.  Within my own writing I feel like I struggle over this entity.  I know it is mostly due to being to choosy over my language.  I constantly ponder over word choice, but maybe I should write more passionately from the heart and just write as thoughts come to me, which looks like what Castillo does, even if she is fully concentrating on her word choice.  Being able to be more conversational within my own writing helps to convey information in a simpler, easy to understand fashion. 

Castillo also has a flawless way with her sentence structure and the ideas she creates. This is seen early on in the first letter when she states, "At thirty, i feel like i'm beginning a new phase in life: adulthood: The twenties were a mere continuation of adolescence.  But as grown-up life begins, society wants to make one believe that thirty is the beginning of the end" (21).  Those are very powerful words, and words that resonate with me.  I am in that similar stage in my own life and to a certain extent it seems to be true.  The fascinating way that she conveys her ideas is something that I would love to strive for in my writing.  To sit there and have somebody read even just a small piece of my work and just say, "wow, that's good stuff" would be amazing. However, as stubborn as I am I need to realize that writing is a process and cannot even be close to perfected, but I just need to continue to work towards and ideal product. 

Rorschach Test Story

Images from the Rorschach Test

Pelvis

Pourous boulder

Insects feeding

Bloody crime scene

Angels kissing

Bat hovering in the sky

Rare cheeseburger

Jackson Pollock abstract art

The Killer Blob

Pacman

“I Wonder Why I Never Went Skiing” Rorschach Test Story

          Shattering my pelvis was a great way to spend my Saturday.  If I had only paid attention to  what exactly a “Black Diamond” is, then I would be able to go have a beer at Oliver’s on Sunday and watch the game with the boys.  As I was falling uncontrollably to my demise, I found a porous boulder in my path and for some strange reason I felt the need to get up close and personal with it.  I heard my bones crunch as if an insect were feeding on some scrumptious prey.  The cuts sustained from my crash bled out all over the snow and if I didn’t experience it myself I would think I was at a crime scene.  In my delusional state I stare up at the heavens and see what I think are angels kissing or is it a bat hovering in the sky.  Fortunately it was only my imagination and the ski patrol shows up to put me on a stretcher and rush me to the hospital. 
          Being such a severe injury I am taken into see a doctor immediately.  His name is Dr. Tuckerman and as he analyzes my x-rays I reluctantly ask to see them.  He begrudgingly shows them to me and I work hard to keep my lunchtime meal of a rare cheeseburger down.  All I can think of is that it looks like a piece of Jackson Pollock’s abstract expressionist art because it is completely smashed to smithereens.  Surgery is the only option.  I am required to stay for the night, so I make the best of a horrible situation and flip on the tube.  It’s sad when my best choices are Telemundo or the Killer Blob Returns to Toledo.  I think I’m just going to use the Pacman app on my Iphone to pass the time.  This surgery can’t come soon enough.  I think next weekend I’m going to stay in and read the new Stephen King novel.  At least I can put that down if I’m too scared.

Birds of America Response: "Dance in America"

Before reading Birds of America I couldn't help but notice all the accolades bestowed on Moore from critics and publications alike.  Because of this I naturally had high hopes for such a recognized piece of work.  I was a little disappointed though as I read.  I'm not sure how I can accurately describe it, but her stories just didn't seem to grab my attention too much.  Her characters seemed jumbled and I found them hard to follow and stay intrigued by.  However, the one story that I truly enjoyed was "Dance in America."

After the first few paragraphs I was thinking to myself that if the main focus of this story is about dance, then I'm going to struggle with focusing on the plot.  But Moore worked the idea of dance well within the story and it made for a very enjoyable read. 

The meaning of this story seems to delve into the common negativity that is rampant among the modern, American adult.  The narrator is an unhappy, selfish dance instructor who seems to be "going through the motions" because she knows nothing else.  She then meets up with an old college buddy who is now married and has a child.  Cal's negativity is seen initially in his refusal to update such a dilapidated old house because of the unusual names of some of the paints... a rather obvious cop out to avoid doing the work required of living in such an elaborate house.  Once we learn about Cal's son, Eugene, and his cystic fibrosis we can see a continued anger in Cal.  When talking to her about the arts he states that, "It's wonderful to fund the arts.  It's wonderful; you're wonderful.  The arts are so nice and wonderful. But really: I say, Let's give all the money, every last fucking dime, to science" (49).  Some of his negativity is deservedly due, but if he harnesses it better then his life could be happier.

Switching from the negative, we have Eugene, a boy that really makes adults think about how precious life truly is.  He is eventually going to meet his demise because of his disease and he is just as happy of a little boy as could ever be.  When she asks him to be her agent he slyly replies, "I don't know.  Is the agent the person who drives the car" (52).  His innocence and zest for life are admirable and I think her truly helps the narrator reflect on her selfish ways.  The dance scene near the end helps her see the importance of enjoying the simpler things in life.

Moore does an excellent job of physically creating this story.  Just enough information is given so the reader has an idea of the back story between the narrator and Cal.  I found myself intrigued by some of the more minuscule details because of the visualizations that it made me conjure up.  For example, the necessity of having pots in the attic to catch leaks and then need them for use in the kitchen was a unique way to grab my attention as a reader.  Infusing the story with details such as this keeps the reader on their toes so they can fully engage with the text.