On the Cusp of August

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Where am I? Who am I?

Oh, me. Hello, again. Yes. Things have been busy. Good busy, but busy is busy. You know?

Yes, I know.

Hey - you know the coolest thing that happened to me today?

No, What?

The workshop I'm attending next week? They sent "this is the final email before the workshop ... important information ..." all relevant and all good. But. The coolest thing? They made a mix tape to listen to on the way to the workshop! How super awesome is that? I sampled a couple of the songs but am saving the full Listen for the drive next Friday.

Super cool.

Yeah. It is. They are. Super cool. Like that. Words and revolution. With its own mix tape.

August. The place to be.

Good night.

G'night.

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Philip Glass - NPR Interview

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The day before the first interpreted performance of "Cyrano," I finished Philip Glass' memoir, "Words Without Music." It was a pleasure to read about his process, the challenges he didn't let keep him from pursuing what he knew was his path, and the amazing other musicians, artists, theatre people he encountered and worked with and studied with along the way. Who influenced his music and his development; how he thinks.

He was interviewed on NPR and you can listen to it from the website: "The World Music Education of Philip Glass." There is a transcript available if the audio is not accessible.

I'm taking an online poetry class right now, and this week one discussion thread is about inspiration (it's more complicated than that - but the basic premise of this particular discussion is about what inspires us as poets). For me, Philip Glass' music can be an inspiration for writing poetry; sometimes other types of writing, as well - but when I listen to his music, poetry is what tends to come out, or prose written in a more poetic style.

Yes, I am still a Philip Glass fan.

Philip Glass - Memoir + A Video

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I am currently reading Philip Glass' memoir, "Words Without Music." If you know me or have followed my posts for a while, you probably know that I am a big fan or his work. I even made a trip to Berkeley a few years ago when his "Einstein on the Beach" was being performed, because that was the closest to home on the tour.

His memoir reads more like a biography in my opinion. But he does have some good stories to tell, he met and worked with some amazing people on his journey. I am enjoying learning more about his beginnings, his passions, his day jobs, and especially more about his music. How he approached his life's work, meanings, how he developed his style, his sounds.

So since his book is my primary read outside of the theatrical scripts I'm preparing to interpret, I've also been listening to his music.

I just wanted to share one piece of his music. He has many. This was just a random video of something I found online - String Quartet No. 3 "Mishma," VI.

Acceptance and Integration; Moving Forward

detail of Heart Connection collage by Dot. 2013

...recent conversation...

P: so is it fair to say that creativity has been present all your life?
Me: well, not really, I mean. Sometimes.
P: okay, so most of your life?
Me: I've had writing. But time off, sometimes years between. Theatre, long periods of involvememt,  a couple years off. Some art, but...
P: and
Me: yeah, okay. I guess really, sure.
P: (raises eyebrows)
Me: okay yes, I've had creativity present throughout most of my life. Okay, all of it that I remember.

...there was more to the conversation, but this is the part which is relevant to what I want to write about right now...

This conversation did start my brain tossing neurons around remembering times when I didn't write, for example.

Oh, but when I wasn't writing creatively, meaning fiction and poetry, I was Newsletter Editor and Staff Writer for the college newspaper, a women's crisis center, a drama troupe (two of those, actually) and then at my Office Manager job at an alternative health care clinic - and more.

Oh, and when I wasn't being stage manager/director/assistant director/poster designer/general tech crew, etc for a play but I was writing skits for a child abuse prevention drama troupe and learning to throw pottery and making silk paintings and silk scarves.

Then I was writing.

Then I was making visual art. And crafts.

Then I was doing theatre.

And making music when I played the piano. Playing other people's music and making up my own when I felt like it.

Or working in the yard and completely redoing the structure and the plants and making a cement sun walkway from the street across the grassy area to the house.

And more.

I guess creativity *has* always been present in my life nearly as far back as I remember. Coloring within the lines, though not always. Making mud pies - yes, I really did. "Flying" by jumping off the neighbor's picnic table with sheets tied around our waists, wrists, holding them over our head. Writing my first book, all 72 pages by hand, when I was ten years old; my first play for my class at age nine. Learning piano (thanks, mom) and violin and being in the orchestra; second chair in Junior Symphony. Taking up cello one year when we didn't have one; viola another year when we were missing that instrument. School plays, community plays. Collage and clay and sketches and making sand candles and scrapbooks. Teenage angst poetry and short stories and more sketches. Speech team and drama and choir and and and.

I get it.

Now let me take a little time to integrate.

Creativity - not just writing, although writing has probably had the longest running engagement in my life. As much as I remember, anyway. Unless you count the mud pies.

Yes. I've carried my creativity with me everywhere. I promise to look at it more often and bring it out, or at least not hide it. Because creativity is me and creativity is my blood and my bones and I don't have to hide it.

Creativity is breathing for me. And we all know that deep breathing is calming and restorative.

Right?

Challenge : X is for Xylophone

X is for Xylophone. And X-ray. And XYZ (which can be a generic filler/space holder or, I saw on Dictionary.com that it is also slang for "examine your zipper").

But I'm going with Xylophone. That was the first X word which came to mind.

Drats! I just thought of X-Files. That would be fun to write about. See, my partner and I are re-watching the series from beginning to end. We started out watching them together on streaming Netflix. But my partner is home more than I am and had a tedious project to work and and wanted something to watch while she did it. So she watched a few X-Files and got ahead of me. It's fine - we watched a few together recently, again, and there are plenty more to go. It's funny now to see some of the things which were so technologically advanced when it started. The giant mobile phones and the dot matrix computers with giant monitors and clicky keyboards which make that sound you no longer hear when you depress the keys. I missed a lot of the shows when it was on the first time. Truth be told, I wasn't into it for a while.

Okay, back to my word for today: Xylophone.

As a kid we learned to play them in school. Not very well, but as background sounds for choir or in music classes. The kind of music classes they no longer offer. At least not here. But there was a traveling music teacher who brought all kinds of things to make music an sounds: xylophones, castanets, maracas, kazoos, and more. It was about exposure to music and fun and learning to put sounds together to make songs.


I have fond memories of the colored xylophones, even though I haven't touched one in years.

So, today, X is for Xylophone.

photo from A is for Angela

Challenge : F is for Float

F is for Float.

It could be a root beer float. Yum! I haven't had one of those in a long time; years. Right now I'm tasting that creamy texture of the vanilla ice cream - make it a really good one, natural, old fashioned, plain vanilla - covered with a real home-brewed type root beer poured over the top. So that the ball of vanilla is covered with a crunchy root beer ice coating, which crunches as you sip and chew. Smooth.

But I'm not writing about that today.

Or it could be a parade Float. Living in the City of Roses, that would be natural. We have the annual Rose Festival and the accompanying parade, which includes the Rose Princesses and the Rose Queen. And the Royal Rosarians. I haven't kept up with the newest technology in Float building, but it used to be that they used actual flower petals - many of them roses, of course - which where applied to the body of the Float to make the creatures and vehicles and the structures upon which the people and animals and various attachments sat as they flowed through the streets of downtown Portland, Oregon, blocking traffic for hours and making it difficult to get from here to there or anywhere.

But I'm not writing about that today, either.

What I am writing about is to take a Float. As in, Float in a saltwater tank for a period of time, with the door closed, the lights all off and access to light blocked, and no sounds. To Float in darkness for ninety minutes. Let the salt heavy water support your body in its natural position, in the dark and the silence and just be present. To slip into a state where ninety minutes feels like thirty and eventually your mind does quiet and you are ... just ... there. Floating. Supported. Relaxed to the state where creativity lives and flows and you now have access.

The first Float I did was about a month ago. I'd heard about them and they sounded wonderful. And kind of scary. I couldn't really imagine me doing anything like being still for ninety minutes. And the first appointment I scheduled was actually two and a half hours, because of the time slot, which was because of my busy and pretty full schedule. But I thought I'd give it a try.

There was the option of getting out at any time, they said.

But I didn't. I stayed in the entire two and a half hours. And had no idea it had been that long.

Two nights ago I went for my second Float. It was only a ninety minute appointment. And - yes - it really did feel like about thirty minutes.

So when someone asked me yesterday if my "E" word story was about an elephant eating a berry which turned out to be a drug, and I responded that I didn't think so, but maybe. And then I said that I didn't know where the story came from and, no, I wasn't on any mind altering substance, either, when I wrote it. I wasn't.  But it was post-Float. And Floating is said to aid in creativity. The place where I'm going did a project where musicians Floated and then created music; they have a CD of their collected compositions. They also did a Float project with artists. Right now they have a Float project going on with chefs - I can't wait to see how that one turns out.

I'm thinking of talking to them about my idea for a writers and Float project. Really. It's that good.

So. F is for Floating in ten inches of water which has 800-900 pounds of Epsom salts, in the dark and the silence. Ahhhhhh.

Buddha Machine Wall

I've been searching out more information about the Buddha Machine and have discovered a couple of things to note. One, it is based on an older device, called various names such as "Taiwanese digital jukebox" or "digital Buddhist jukebox" and variations on those. Those devices are still available, as well, and come in a variety of sizes. "Size" being relative to their physical measurements but also relative to the number of songs; I found quite a few models with three to twelve songs, and then there were some with up to 69 songs.

I also found the FM3 Buddha Machine Wall. So, while the Buddha Machine app won't install on a desktop and not everyone in the world owns an i-Device, there are options.

I had fun playing with the Wall. You can mix and match sounds, adding and deleting them. I like it. My partner, who was sitting nearby working on her computer, wasn't as thrilled with my find. We like many of the same things - including music - but this was not one of them. But I find it soothing and inspiring. Next time I'm doing some heavy editing, I think I'll whip up a special combination and let it help me keep focused on the task on the keyboard. I mean, sometimes I like editing and sometimes I'm easily distracted; this will help with the distracted times.

Try it.

(This is a photo of the Buddha Machine Wall. But I've hooked it up as a link to the actual Wall, so go ahead, click on the picture.)

News, Accolade, and Sound

You've probably already read the announcement : Amazon is buying Goodreads.

Some of you reading this might be saying, "So?" Others might say, "Good - what?" And then there are the opinions of the expanding control of Amazon as a good idea, a bad idea, who cares. I'm not sure what I think yet - my thoughts fall on both sides of the issue right now.

Amazon, who has its own publishing company (which is related to but separate from Amazon.com, I've been told) in addition to the mega online shopping site, which sells millions (probably bazillions) of books. 

I have a Goodreads account, but haven't really gotten into the social networking side of it. As a writer, I've been trying to build my presence there, but didn't feel the need to add one more internet site to my list of places I should be spending time. It's interesting to look up reviews - but the book reviews I really follow are from people I know, and I can just ask them. I don't need another website for social networking.

Amazon already tells me what books (and other products) it thinks I would be interested in based on past purchases (which may or may not have been for me) and on items I've looked at. Amazon also already purchased Audible.com, which is where I get audiobooks. The up-side of Amazon buying Audible has been - well, I'm not really sure. That I now have one login name and password to remember for both websites? 

What will it mean with Goodreads? It's obviously more than just about encouraging people to read, as most of the articles mention. They wouldn't make a big money purchase unless there was the expectation of big money return. 

It's happening. No going back. And here is one article about it, if you haven't seen one yet.

Amazon Buys Book-Recommendation Site Goodreads

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The accolade goes to kd lang, who was recently named the Greatest Canadian Singer by the CBC.

As a longtime fan of kd lang, this makes me happy. Her music has spanned several genres, she has been true to her music and herself, and she is a talented musician. I loved her country and cowgirl songs, swooned with her crooning songs, and have listened to her covers and crossovers. She is also a delight to see live.

Click on here to read the article:

Greatest Canadian Singer Ever

And, of course, I must share a video of her singing Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah. There are many renditions of this song and hers is right there on top.

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The final find for today is this, the Buddha Machine.

It's an endless loop music device, created back in 2005. There was recently a new edition put out and I discovered it in an article in Shambala Sun about music and Buddhism.

I'm not even going to try to describe it beyond that. Read it for yourself on the webstie. For me, this has great possibility for writing, for walking and working out, for making art; for many things.

Oh, and yes, there is an app for that! See the website or iTunes. Now if they'd just expand the app to Blackberry...

Buddha Machine

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The Power of Music - of The Arts

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I was driving from the pool to work today, listening to NPR. There was a rerun of a story I heard driving home after work last night, and then a new program came on. Traffic was heavy on I-84 so my focus shifted to the road and away from the story, though I caught pieces of it.

When I merged onto I-5 South, I had a couple of miles until the next bottleneck in my journey and tuned in to the story again. Part of the problem is that I couldn't quite catch where they were talking about on the radio.

But I did catch that they were talking about music being banned. It had started as a ban on "satanic" music, meaning any type of music which conflicted with their Islamic beliefs (meaning from the government's view), which soon became any type of music in this country whose name I didn't know.

The name of the country or of a group was mentioned, finally, just as I hit the second congested part of my drive, where I have to make a crazy jog from I-5 South onto I-405 North for a few feet and then this weird overpass onramp to Highway 26 West. It doesn't matter the time of day, there is always some type of backup or traffic interference there, and there was a minimal slow down. So when the country was mentioned, and it wasn't one I was familiar with so I didn't quite catch it, it slipped away.

But when I was safely on 26 and in the lane I wanted I could focus, again. And I caught the end of the story with a festival organizer talking about the life of musicians in this country.

He talked about them having to hide their instruments. If they wanted to play music they had to do it very, very quietly with all drapes and windows closed and no neighbors home; and even that was extremely risky. Even mobile phone ringtones were banned, and of course any type of music players - digital or otherwise.

I was thinking about this and at the same time I was thinking about the people who doubt the power of music. Or of any of the arts. And here was a government who thinks that the music is so powerful that it will corrupt an entire country so they've banned it all.

Music - and art, writing, dance, theater, creativity - heals. It teaches. It gives us cause for and enhances celebration. It calms us and excites us and eases our fears. It puts us to sleep and it wakes us up. Creativity gives us purpose and goals and reasons to keep on, well, keeping on. Music and writing and all types of creative activity help us explore and express our experiences.

Powerful.

I was able to find the country with the total music ban: Mali. Click on the picturesk and the one headline, of Mali musicians below to read some articles about this situation. And, yes, I know there are other places where music and writing and art have been banned. But this is what I learned today. And it struck me as powerful and as something more to explore.

In Mali, Musicians Flee South



cool planet. on the line.




militants declare war on music

  

about muscian, Keletigui Diabate

... and a video of Mali music to listen to. Beautiful. ..


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Razor's Edge:

It's the middle of the night. You heard a sound outside your window and, after lying in bed debating, you decide to take a look.

From a safe distance.

You pick up the flashlight from your bedside table, press it against your pajamas and click the on/off switch. It clicks. But no light. You return it to the table and walk on your tiptoes to the thick, nearly blackout level dark blue curtains. The sound seems to be gone but you think you hear whispering. Or the wind. Or maybe raccoons hissing at your cat. Or something.

A twig snaps. Too loud to be an animal, you think.

You stand as flat against the wall as you can and lift the edge of the curtain, waiting for your eyes to adjust.

You turn your head and look outside. And there, just feet from your house you see ....


(start the video below, go, write for as long as the music lasts - about 8 minutes)


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Razor's Edge for 8/31/12 : Sharing Space

Today's prompt is a video along with words. The words might be sentence starters, or the essence of a paragraph, or perhaps your writing takes you in a completely different direction. Don't feel compelled to use the exact words, though you can if you like.

The video is about 20 minutes long; it is pieces from a performance.

Watch the video for at least five minutes before you start writing. But I suggest waiting as long as you can to start unless you are pulled to start earlier.

Start by reading the word prompts. Then start the video. Write when you are ready. Write for about 10 minutes.

Go.


[1]  Before I forgot what I knew, I thought that ....


[2]  Her arms touching my arms felt like ...


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Razor's Edge for 7/20/12: Listening and Shadows

Today's prompt is a video and a sentence starter. As always, don't feel that you have to include the phrase, but you can, of course. It may spark a completely different direction or you may start writing towards it but never arrive; whatever you write is fine.

Of course.

This week, read the word prompt and then watch the video. You may feel drawn to write before the video is done, so go with it. This week is about listening to your writer voice inside. If you feel wrapped in the movement and/or music of the video and want to hold off putting words onto the space until it's done, that's fine, as well.

Listen in. Write. For 10 minutes.

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PROMPT:  Stepping back into my life I noticed . . .




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Music Discovery: Jami Sieber, cellist

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I've been searching for my direction, for options, for that intuitive spark that jumps up and shouts, "me! over here!" Only my intuition doesn't shout and so, sometimes, I miss the information. And I've been taking more of a passive approach, because I learned long ago that chasing that unknown something can result in missed opportunities and missed paths.

So I've been waiting, watching, listening. And in this process have discovered some new music. It's not "new" music in terms of just released or undiscovered; but musicians I haven't noticed or haven't sought out more of their creations to listen to. Leonard Cohen. Regina Spektor. A Fine Frenzy.

Today I went for my massage appointment and was introduced to another new-to-me musician: Jami Sieber, electric cellist. It was the perfect introduction - during my cranial sacral bodywork session. {And if you're looking for a skilled massage therapist, for regular massage, light touch massage, or cranialsacral approach, I highly recommend Daria Howell, LMT. I've been seeing her since the person I was seeing previously moved away for some amazing opportunities. Daria is skilled, friendly, intuitive respectful and has really helped me physically.}

Back to Jami Sieber. Cellist; electric cello. I love listening to cello, a wide range of styles. But I'd never heard of her; although I may have heard her but not known it. I did a little looking around and found that she has done performances with other musicians, with writers, with authors who have translated written text, with dancers, and more.

Another interesting fact about Jami Sieber, which Daria told me, is that Jami played with the Elephant Orchestra in Thailand. I searched online for links of that and found a couple of good videos on YouTube, which have excerpts of that experience, in which she talks about that a bit. Check it out.

But I also found a few videos she posted herself. Some were from a performance in Seattle and, since she posted them, I thought I'd pass one along here. And I'm going to buy one of her CDs.

The video below includes another musician and a performance. Perfect: music and theater.
Jami Sieber:  
 






Below is the video with some information about her music with the elephants project. I'm going to do a little more research into this project and see what I can find. But, for now, her is a tidbit. Oh: I hear that she comes somewhat regularly to Portland, so I will keep my eyes out for her next local concert. She is one musician I would enjoy seeing in person.

Razor's Edge for 6/22/12

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Today's prompt is a video: Regina Spektor's "All the Rowboats." It's a music video - but my challenge to you is to turn your speakers off before you watch it. Watch the video all the way through and then write for 10 minutes.

What are you (or your character) about to fall into? Are you (or your character) running to something or running away? Or do you (or your character) feel trapped where you are?

Where are you?

Start with this:   All around me I could see ....

After you've written, go back and watch the video again, this time with sound. Did something different come to you with her music? Or does it deepen what you've already written?

Write for another 5 - 10 minutes. Add on to what you already put down, or start something new. Start with this:   And then I knew ... .



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Razor's Edge for 5/25/12

Today's prompt is a dance performance - and then the choice of one of two sentence starters.

Watch the video and then choose one of the word prompts and write for eight minutes.

Or if you feel ready to write, if a character surfaces and flags you down while the video is playing, go with it. Follow your character into her experience, her life. And write.




word prompts:

Alone, in the darkened room, I wonder ...


As she stepped out into the sun, she felt ...

Razor's Edge 2/24/12

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Today's Razor's Edge is made up of a video of a performance of Miwa Matreyek's work, with optional word prompt if you need or want a little more.

Miwa performed this piece at T:BA11 at The Works. Even though I missed some of The Works performances, this one was high on my list to see and I made it. It is nice to see it again here - and it was incredible to see in person.

For today's prompt, just sit back and watch the video. If you can, make it full screen and let it wash over you, enter into her world. There are a few glimpses where you get to see her behind the scenes work - and I don't think that detracts. Let it take you to another perspective, if you can.

Be the performer.

Be the ground or the earth where her story is rooted.

Be another being in her performance.

Watch, listen, let it in.

If you'd like a start, use one of these prompts - and write! Ten minutes - go.

"But I've lived there and I know that ......

"As I reached toward him I noticed .....

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Music as Inspiration and Healer

From time to time I write something about music which inspires me - in that moment, over time, while I write or make art. If you've been following my writing for long you've seen Philip Glass appear more than once; a favorite of mine for many years and most circumstances. And I've been thinking about writing a short piece about music - but this is not that.

This is the first full song played on the radio this morning as I was waking up. There was the end of the song before it - which I don't recall at all: incomplete and the song which pulled me from sleep.

But this one. Perfect for today. Perfect for this moment. It resonates for me, in this period of transition and healing, at many levels, not only for myself, but friends, as well. Self healing, friends with physical condition flare-ups or new levels to adapt to, a friend caring for a dying parent, friends with difficult work situations - and more.

The song is "Come Healing" by Leonard Cohen, from his new album. Come healing, for each of us in the way appropriate and desired - yes.

It was a nice way to wake up.



This is listed as an "unofficial" music video. And if you'd like to see the lyrics, go to the YouTube link - they're all there.

... now, back to finishing typing up the two written assignments due today (one in Inga's Decerebralization online writing class and one in Ariel's Lit Star Training class), which will be followed by brunch with a friend, then doing a new free write for Inga and a quick write for Ariel and then - tada - work! ...

I hope you enjoy the song and that it touches each of you in some way.

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Razor's Edge 2/17/12

Last night I went to a play. It was a Shakespeare adaptation and it was the interpreted performance of the play at the theater where I coordinate interpreters. So - triple reasons to go. It also turned into a date night with a bit of searching to find a place open late night in Portland which had a decent menu and not just a limited bar menu full of deep-fried foods inside of wheat with only a mere nod to vegetables.

But I digress. As I tend to do.

So today's Razor's Edge came out of my excursion out last night. One of the ushers at the play is a former student and I promise I won't get sidetracked into that whole conversation. Except to say that we did talk briefly during intermission and, among the other things she is doing, she is writing more. And she told me about something a writing friend of hers said to her, which she borrowed, and which I will adapt and borrow for myself.

Today's prompt set is from that conversation. Thank you.


The first thing I want you to do today is to get a mental image of your muse. Your muse need not be in human form; does not need to be a sentient being. Your muse can be whatever inspires you. It may be a "muse of the day" or a "muse of the project" - or it may be your creative muse for all eternity or the mother of all muses, which springs forth the specific muses for given projects.

Then I want you to draw or sculpt or build a representation of your muse. If you have a camera handy, take a photograph and save it or post it somewhere prominent.

Think of a piece of music which your muse wants to hear right now and find it. If you have internet connection and a computer or web surfing device, you can probably find it online somewhere. Listen to it with the representation of your muse.

Now, write a letter to your muse. Write for 5 - 10 minutes. If you and your muse feel so inspired, turn this into a written conversation between the two of you. And continue writing.

Below are a picture of my Muse For A Day and a YouTube video of the song we wanted to hear. I'd love to see some of your representations if you want to share them.

Go. Visualize, create, photograph, listen. Write.


My Muse of the Day 

Bridges and Balloons by Joanna Newsom



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Upcoming Writerly Things To Do

I'm noticing many local creative and writing opportunities coming soon. The following are just a few. This is not an exclusive list - but a list of events which have caught my attention. I could tell you why this one or not that one - but I won't.

A few upcoming things you may like if you're local at the time they're happening.

Most of them, I won't be able to make due to work or theatrical commitments. But these are worth a mention and attendance if you can!

Enjoy.

"Poetry Reading with a band of stars!"

from Write In Portland

Join Annie Bloom's Presents for a poetry reading featuring:

*Ursula Le Guin, Molly Gloss, Noel Handlon, Bette Husted, Barbara Drake, Kari Easton and Caroline Le Guin

Annie Bloom's Books! 7pm on Thursday, February 16th.

7834 SW Capitol Highway, Portland, OR (503) 246-0053

FREE

Summer in Words 2012

from Jessica Page Morrell at  The Writing Life Too

Folks, I'm finalizing (drum roll) the schedule for the 5th annual  Summer in Words 2012, but just wanted to let you know that the funny, smart, amazing and bestselling author Chelsea Cain will be our Keynote speaker. More to come as things shake down. Registration will open in March.

Dates are June 15-17.

Your workshop time will be spent at the Hallmark Inn & Resort, overlooking Haystack Rock and the wide, wide Pacific. You can book your room now at a reduced rate. Nearby in Cannon Beach you'll find great places to explore and wide beaches to stroll along.

This year's theme: Refinement, Resonance, & Resolve

Immerse yourself in a focused, intensive and exhilarating writing venture this summer. Well, it will be almost summer. Join us and experience the power of words.  Summer in Words will improve your writing and outlook. Really.  

Click on over to the The Writing Life Too for more information and how to contact Jessica to get more information as it becomes available.

     

Write Around Portland offers a unique generative workshop called Prompt designed for writers and aspiring writers in the greater Portland area who want to participate in a Write Around workshop and support the communities we traditionally serve who might not otherwise have access to writing and community.

Based on the acclaimed Write Around Portland model, this dynamic workshop incorporates many of our favorite writing exercises designed to inspire the writing life, including freewriting; work with writing elements; strength-building feedback and early-draft revision. The workshop caps off with a community broadside.

2012 Sessions:
Prompt #1: Ten Mondays, February 27-April 30, 6:30-8:30pm - Spaces filling fast!
Prompt #2: Ten Thursdays, April 26- June 28, 6:30-8:30pm
(...three more sessions on the website)

Location: Powell’s City of Books
1005 W. Burnside, downtown Portland

Go to the Write Around Portland (prompt) webpage for other dates and more information.

3rd Thursday & Last Sunday
Write Around Portland 

Writing Workshops at HOTLIPS Pizza

2211 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR

Join Write Around Portland and HOTLIPS Pizza to experience the transformative power of writing in community. These workshops are perfect for the new and seasoned writer. Start your day with pastries provided by Grand Central Baking, coffee, tea and the written word. Attend one, attend them all.

Thursday Workshops, 9am - 11am:
2012: Feb 16, Mar 16, April 19, May 17, (no Thurs workshop in June), July 19, Aug 16, Sept 20, Oct 18, Nov 15, Dec 20

Sunday Workshops, 10am - Noon:
2012: Feb 26, Mar 26, April 29, June 24, July 29, Aug 26, Sept 30, Oct 28 (No Sunday workshops in May, Nov or Dec.)

More information on the Workshops and Events page at Write Around Portland.

SongStory

125 NW 5th Street, Portland OR

Wednesday 7 March 2012 7:00 pm

In conjunction with March Music Moderne, SongStory is a night of stories and essays about music.

In the lineup:

LIDIA YUKNAVITCH, whose memoir The Chronology of Water is a finalist for the Oregon Book Award,

KEVIN SAMPSELL, publisher of Future Tense Books and author of, among other things, A Common Pornography and Creamy Bullets,

COURTENAY HAMEISTER, essayist, filmmaker and head writer / host of Live Wire Radio,

VANESSA VESELKA, writer and musician, best known in literary circles for her novel Zazen,

BRAD ROSEN, writer and drummer recently published in The Frozen Moment,

GIGI LITTLE, whose work has appeared in Portland Noir, The Pacific Northwest Reader and lit magazines.

With special guest CYMBALMAN
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MARCH MUSIC MODERNE is a month-long Portland music festival. Check out the myriad musical events at: http://www.marchmusicmoderne.org/

Philip Glass is 75

Today is Philip Glass' birthday.

Philip Glass is an inspirational and inspired musician and his work crosses many genres. He has written operas, numerous film scores, theatrical pieces, and more. He has collaborated with many other well-known musicians; a few of my favorite collaborators are Ravi Shankar, Yoyo Ma, and Kronos Quartet.

His music has accompanied me on many creative pursuits, including silk paintings, pottery making, and his work is often playing when I write. I often drive with his music in my car sound system. I've set up a Philip Glass personal Pandora station.

Today I was driving and listening to NPR - which is where I learned that today is Glass' birthday. They also had an excerpt of an interview Ira Glass (his first cousin once removed) did with him in the late 90s, which you can listen to here. They also provide this link to listen to Movement I from his newest work, Symphony No. 9.

One other thing I learned from the NPR program is that I now have a new name for his style of music. Not that I've ever consciously tried to slot his music into any particular genre category. Anyway - NPR calls him "one of the fathers of minimalist music." That fits; I'll take it. But what I really liked is that his style is also called Pattern Music. I've never heard that style label before - but I am going to look into it. "Pattern music" seems to fit with some other things I like in terms of performance and I want to research it a little more and see where it all fits together. One example is a dance/choreography style (I'm not sure it's called "style" - dance is another area I want to learn more about) which is called scoring; also minimalist yet so effective and leaving so much room for creativity and inspiration. Pattern Music - I like it.

Thank you, Philip Glass, for all of your music.

And below are a few of my favorites, or excerpts from some of my favorites. Enjoy!

Einstein on the Beach Medley (Bed, Knee Play 4)

Einstein on the Beach: The Changing Image of Opera (1984) - Part 1

Heart Beats / Naqoyqatsi

Ragas In Minor Scale

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