No loss, no foul

Just submitted my first piece to the New Yorker magazine. I've channeled the writing of Joseph Mitchell, a feature writer of the magazine from days long past, so I felt they should have the first read.

It's a non-fiction narrative about a little town named Evinston that is in danger of losing its post office--and its identity. But more, it's about the disappearing of America's heart and soul; bit by bit; tradition by tradition; small town by small town.

Make no mistake, I love modernity and the conveniences it has wrought, but I also value the timelessness of community and care for one's neighbor. Having lived in large metropolitan areas for most of my life, I was like a fish out of water visiting this town. I had lived in Boca Raton for nearly 20 years and only knew two of the neighbors on my street well, and here was a town where people lived for four and five and six generations and knew their family tree down to the roots. A place where everybody knows everybody, and they look out for each other. Sure, they have to drive 15 miles for a decent-sized grocery store, but the view from the porch on a star-studded night is dynamite.

So now that the bulk of my classwork is behind me, I can focus on my writing again. A thought that makes my little fingers feel like dancing.

See you soon,

MH

Random Thoughts Encountered

"Academics study studies; journalists study people." - author unknown

"I think we are well advised to keep on nodding terms with the people we used to be, whether we find them attractive company or not." - Joan Didion "On Keeping a Journal"

I, Self, Me

I

Self

Me

Can you see the pattern here? My ISM affords me the unfailing ability to see how every situation I encounter directly affects me. The I, Self, Me, that is. The me that I love to obsess over, talk about and act in the best interest of.

But here's the good news; I've learned that it is rarely ever really all about me. And today, I can see that fairly quick. Don't get me wrong - the selfish, self-centered part of me still wants to make a fuss and pout or cry or whatever emotion is applicable to the trouble encountered. But more times than not, now, I can simply be quiet and listen. Because I have found that when someone is facing a tough road ahead, just the small act of quietly listening to them can be the most precious part of me I can give.

Voicing your Dreams

"However you get to it, if you find your own voice, and language that is meaningful to you, you will have a set of words that, like a poem, makes your heart beat faster, and gives your idea life for all to see." ~ Cheryl Heller, Heller Communication Design.

I thought the above passage to be quite interesting - and true. There is nothing more satisfying than to know that your work has purpose and meaning. While Ms. Heller is speaking of people in her industry, both designers and the clients that hire them, I found her words to be inspiring - prophetic, if you will. (In another piece she quotes Ishmael, so I had to read on.)

It made me think about the work I want to do. Again, while she is talking about designing, I think you can apply this truism to whatever your calling may be. The point is to have an idea, something that drives you - something that is meaningful to you - and I mean more than just in a monetary sense. It's too much of a copout to say that we do it just for the money. Money is great, but you can't take it with you and it won't keep you warm at night.

Can I get an Amen to that?

I'll get a chance to hear her speak tomorrow. It will be interesting to find out where her "voice" is taking her.

How to Spend Your Summer Vacation

I have to decide how to spend my summer. Motoring along the Med is not an option this year (that's OK, it was the same three years ago, the same 300 years ago, and probably the same next year as well), so I think a stay-cation at school is my final answer. But as I look over the choices for the summer semesters, I note that the pickings are rather slim. I think I might just take a basic art history to get me moving in the right direction and then build on that for the next 20 months.

 I really want to enjoy my graduate program and not just go through the motions. I mean, if I'm going to spend this much money and exert this much effort, I better enjoy it, yes? Not sure if the course will count toward my degree program, but what the hell - it's my life and my responsibility to enjoy it. A few credits here and there outside one's target discipline never hurt anyone. Besides, I never made any changes to my major during my undergrad work, so I think I'm entitled to color outside the lines a bit now.

Hello Old Friend...

Hello my friend, I've missed you so!

I've missed this time to myself when I can just let the thoughts and words come - and go. I feel like I've been away for so very long, from writing that is. It's been nearly 18 months since I've written in this blog. For some reason it came up on my TOP SITES list. How that's possible since I haven't been here since Gabby passed, and that was just to update her photo tag, I don't know.

I miss that girl. She was such a sweetie - when she wasn't being mean as cat shit - oops! Let's keep it clean, here.

Anyway, I am back in school and writing again. Feels realllll good! Just submitted my first story in nearly 2 years to The G'ville Sun, so that will probably be a bust. Oh well, have to start somewhere.

I talked with a man yesterday who encouraged me to get out and work when I was nearly done with my undergrad work. And he was right. I worked on my craft, made some mistakes and along the way found my calling.

Now I am back in school. Not to learn to write - Lord knows if you don't know how to write by the time you finish your undergrad, forget it! No, I'm really interested in combining my writing with history and art.

So we're fine tuning now. Looking for the next phase of my life; the next story; the next encounter. See you along the way...