In terminal terms

I am not familiar with writer Christopher Hitchens work. In fact, his name was unknown to me until I read of his death on Dec. 15, 2011 at the age of 62. However, I read an obituary in the New York Times to learn more about this author I’ve been seeing so much about. In the article, he is quoted as saying:

“In whatever kind of a ‘race’ life may be, I have very abruptly become a finalist.”

I can’t imagine facing a terminal illness let alone be able to come up with such a well-written sentence about it.

I’m here

I just wanted to see an updated post.

I have so many ideas for posts that it has left me frozen. Let me thaw out and put something down in writing. I’ll be back. Promise.

Revisiting London

There is nothing like a power outage (third one in little more than a week) to get a girl to sit down and write. Well, I am not going to waste this opportunity while my mind and muse are willing to put some words down.

I’ve been thinking about London. A lot. It’s been almost a month since I got back from my trip across the pond, and London is still calling out to me. Is it because of the near-constant rain (usually due to a tropical storm of one type or another) we’ve been having in New York and all over the East Coast? [The power just kicked back on just as the rain began pouring – weird. But I'll finish what I've started here.] Or is it [Power off. On.] because I insist on watching BBC America and documentaries on William Shakespeare? I’m sure both those reasons are contributing factors. Yet, I think it’s also because traveling to London was something I’ve wanted to do for a long time.

The trip didn’t get off to the best start. [Power off.]

The London Riots began as my husband and I were packing for our trip. It’s disconcerting when you’re about to travel to a place where business and communities are being looted and destroyed, and in some cases, people are dying. It did cross our minds (mine especially) not to go, but from what we read and saw on the news, the looting was isolated to areas outside the touristy spots in London.

The other aspect, which was not as detrimental as the first, that nearly canceled our trip was due to multiple flight cancelations. Yes, I said multiple. Our flight was canceled, rescheduled, and canceled again. First it was a maintenance issue and then it was due to heavy rains. Deciding that it was better to drive straight to Philadelphia, we headed out, straight into a severe thunderstorm. The sight was amazing. The rain on the highway was scary. And thoughts that yet another flight would be canceled pelted my mind. The storm did let up. We boarded our plane. Almost as soon as I started thinking with certainty, “London here we come,” we learned that there was a problem with the communication system on board and we were heading back to the terminal. You really get to know people when you’re sitting on a grounded plane for three hours.

It seemed like our trip wasn’t meant to be. And maybe that was for the best with the turmoil going on in London.

We took flight at about 1:30 a.m. EST (6:30 a.m. BST) and set about on our six-hour transatlantic flight. Now, I can sleep through a lot. However, I tend to fall asleep and wake up, fall asleep and wake up … fall asleep, wake up when traveling by car, and now apparently, by air. I didn’t sleep. Maybe I was overly excited.

We finally arrived in London a day late. I was too tired to be angry and wound up spending most of the first evening asleep in the hotel. I did wake up and had a cup of tea and watched the BBC – the real, honest-to-goodness BBC. I let my husband, who hates flying more than I realized, sleep.

The riots ended almost as soon as we arrived in London. We watched the reports on BBC News, which seemed to backtrack on some things, just to have a sense of what was going on. I kept up-to-date on how the American media was covering the topic by reading my friends posts on Facebook. I also shared with them what was going on in the city itself. I have to say, Facebook is an incredible resource. As a former (not sure how former I am) journalist and public relations [Power on, again as the rain picks up. Waiting for it to go out again.] writer, I have been interested in the social media site’s application to mass communication (more about my thoughts on that in another post). The only thing we experienced related to the riots, and I’m not sure if it really was related, was seeing two kids – probably around 12 years old – being put into a police car. It was a sad sight, regardless if it was related to the riots. I’m especially glad the riots are over.

There is so much to say about my trip that I may spend a few posts writing about it. For now though, I will just share some highlights:

Got a stamp in my passport. Even though it is extremely light, I can’t stop staring at it. I want another, and not just the one that says I was admitted back into the U.S.

Visited Westminster Abbey and touched Geoffrey Chaucer’s tomb. I also saw Britain’s oldest door and as I was standing there saw an employee casually open the door and enter what looked like a modern-day office.

Walked past such London landmarks as Trafalgar Square, Big Ben and Parliament (cue Chevy Chase’s quote from “National Lampoon’s European Vacation), the Thames River, the London Eye, London Bridge (which is a normal modern-day bridge … the original I learned from my brother is now located in the U.S.), the Tower of London, and the Tower Bridge.

Travelled to Stratford-upon-Avon and visited Shakespeare’s birthplace and a few other sites devoted to the Bard, as well as (and most important for me) his grave. I love old cemeteries and I love Shakespeare. I had to go.

Came in contact with a few actors from one of my favorite television shows “Doctor Who.” Have I mentioned before that I was a fan?

Took approximately 1,000 photos. Good thing I brought two cameras.

Overall, everything turned out all right. I saw a lot of what I wanted to see. I also got to be in London, a foreign country for me. Something I am glad I can now say I’ve done. At one point – halfway through three of our busiest days, I said to my husband that I was ready to go home. As soon as those words left my mouth I changed my mind; I even pouted as we headed to the airport. Real mature, I know.

[Power still on.]

London Calling, or going to The Doctor

It’s been a hectic few months. Finishing up the last semester of classes in the spring and two summer internships left me with little time to write in my blog, let alone write anything for myself. But as of mid-August, I will be the proud owner of a master’s degree in library and information science. I was plagued with doubts throughout the last year and a half, but this feels good. I renewed my passion for libraries while not losing my writer’s instincts. I’m optimistic that my former career path and my new career path will merge and take me to some interesting places. How that will unfold, I know not. Whether I work as a librarian or a communications writer (or some kind of hybrid librarian-writer), the working world is staring me right in the face.

But for now … I am getting reading for my dream vacation: London, baby! I’ve wanted to travel to England for as long as I can remember. And this summer I can cross that goal off my list.

All summer – when I haven’t been focused on two internships, another side project, and applying for jobs – I’ve been all about London. BBC America is usually on my telly. I’ve been collecting British slang words that I constantly remind myself not use in London, but will be thinking of and listening for.  I have a half-dozen Shakespeare plays on my iPod (good for the hour-plus commute to one of my internships). And, then there’s The Doctor.

I’m a full-fledged Whovian. I blame my husband for tuning me into the show when Matt Smith took over as the Eleventh Doctor. And after this trip, I bet he’ll be wishing he never introduced me to the show. My love for all things Tardis is not just limited to the television show. Oh no, I have downloaded the theme song; not one, not two, but three audiobooks; and six episodes to my iPod.

While in London, I am dragging my hubby to see David Tennant and Catherine Tate (the Tenth Doctor and one of his companions) in a production of Much Ado About Nothing.

David Tennant (as Benedick) and Catherine Tate (as Beatrice)

I’m also planning on being a groundling at Shakespeare’s Globe where Arthur Darvill (Rory from the latest Doctor Who series) is performing in Doctor Faustus. Interesting bit of trivia: part of “The Shakespeare Code,” a Doctor Who, Series 3 (my favorite series because I love The Doctor’s companion Martha Jones played by Freema Agyeman) episode, was filmed at the theater, which is a reproduction of the original Globe.

When not visiting The Doctor, I will also be indulging in my passion for the Bard with a trip to Stratford-upon-Avon and, of course, Much Ado About Nothing. I really have to find some things not related to Doctor Who or Shakespeare. I guess my husband will have to be in charge of that, since my obsessions have fully taken over!

Anyway, here is one of the many things that are occupying my excited and anxious little mind. Enjoy!

Witnessing history online

My home state of New York is now the sixth state to legalize same-sex marriage! And thanks to the Internet, I saw this happen live.

Yesterday, at the spur of the moment I decided to go online and check the status of the Marriage Equality Act Bill in New York. I’d been following the story – like many – for weeks now. I was right on time. There is something about witnessing an historic moment live though, admittedly via the Internet. I was moved and had a few tears in my eyes. I’m extremely proud of my state and the senators who opposed the bill who made a big step and decided passing the bill was the right thing to do. It was exciting to see people cheering and applauding at the close of the Senate session. I cheered myself while sitting next to my husband at home.

The first place I went to find out what was going on was the web. It didn’t even occur to me to check out the television. The experience has brought home to me how the Internet – something that I believe has the power to alienate us from one another – is a great tool that brings many people together. My news feed on Facebook is filled with status updates about the bill’s passage. And, I have engaged in many conversations about the topic. I have been able to witness the Senate in action and celebrations taking place.

My ultimate hope is that the Internet is used as a tool to bring people together face-to-face.

Is my indecisiveness showing?

I think so.

Here’s why: I am going to consolidate my two blogs: Kristin’s Pen and The Charleston Pop. It’s been crazy trying to balance the two and determining what posts should go where. So, I am going to focus my attention on this blog. I will continue to write about writing (especially writers’ block), but I also want to include my other interests: pop culture, libraries, journalism, social media and photography. Look out, there may be a few more topics thrown in. I just want to keep writing and not get bogged down in what should go where, because that’s been keeping me from posting in either place. Here we go with another experiment in my blog writing adventure.

Please check out the few entries I have on my other blog. I think there is some funny stuff over there. And, I’m not sure it is productive to move everything over here.

Thanks for bearing with me.

The World According to Libraries

I’m taking an independent-study course this semester on marketing information services (e.g., libraries). Library marketing combines my professional and academic experiences. I have found through my research that it is a growing field. Promoting books, information, literacy … I can’t think of anything better. I am realistic about the prospects of solely focusing my career in library marketing are slim right now, but I have finally found my focus in library/information graduate school — mere months before I graduate.

Here is one of the best things I have come across in my studies. The video not only has a great message and is just well done, but it features one of my favorite books by one of my favorite authors. (I have my own library-related story about this book that I promise to share in the near future.)

 

To be in a classroom, or not to be in a classroom

I’m having a love-hate relationship with graduate school.

Being in the classroom is great; I love belonging to a community of people engaged in learning. Yet, every semester I question what I am doing in program that doesn’t allow me to analyze literature and practice my writing craft. Do I have the passion same passion for the library and information science program I am in (and 15 credits away from graduating from) that I do for literature and writing? My doubts are loud and clear when I think about how giddy I get when I think of analyzing literature and playing with language. On the other hand, I want to get others excited about the same things, while also providing them with the tools they need to successfully navigate the overwhelming Information Age we are most definitely in. These are elements of what a librarian/information professional is. And isn’t the stereotypical librarian a bookworm?

While I was on break from school, I read (or listened to) four books so far: “Dear Mr. Henshaw” by Beverly Cleary; “The World According to Garp” (audiobook) by John Irving; “Hamlet” (audiobook) by W. Shakespeare; and “The Summer Before,” a prequel to The Baby-Sitters Club series by Ann M. Martin. I’ve also had ideas for a paper about “The Cider House Rules” by John Irving and a few short stories.

The question bouncing around inside my head is: Do I need to pursue an academic degree to study literature and creative writing? The answer is: No. But I can’t help wanting to be in a classroom and surrounded by people analyzing whether Hamlet is indeed crazy or if he’s faking it or receiving and giving feedback on creative works. My original plan for going back to school involved participating in a dual-degree program that would result in my receiving a Master of Science in Information Science (a redundant title, I know) and a Master of Arts in English. I decided against the English degree for a number of reasons: 1). I wasn’t accepted to the program (a huge surprise); 2). Time (I need to graduate and get back to work); 3). A limited writing concentration in the program; and 4). The reputation of the program. As I approach finishing my library and information program, I am, of course, questioning my decision. I know I would like get a degree in writing and English … but is it necessary? Probably not.

Last year, Seth Abramson, an author and attorney wrote two articles about the myths of creative writing MFAs for the Huffington Post. Out of the 12 myths he presented, the one that rings most true for me is this: To be a successful poet or writer, you must attend an MFA program. No, you need to write and join a writing community, which I could do for much less that the price of another degree that won’t guarantee me a job. If I am going to pursue such a degree, it will be for myself. Becoming a creative writing professor is not in my career plan, so a degree would not benefit me. Besides, I have met a number of students in my program who have already received creative writing degrees and look where they are: sitting beside me in the classroom.

I just need to write. Hiding behind issues about school is not the way to go. I’m just scared and/or lazy.

SIDE NOTE: I wrote this a week or so ago and since then I have been questioning the path I am on less and less. I am not ruling out working on a creative writing degree, but for now I think just getting more involved in writing is the best way to go. And, I am working on that: I just entered a flash-fiction contest hosted by NPR. The odds of me winning are not stellar, but I wrote something. I actually finished a piece of fiction. Quite proud of myself, I must say.

Words are all around just waiting to be pulled down from the air and immoralized

Contrary to what you’ve seen here I have been writing over the past couple weeks.

I scribbled a beginning to a short story idea I’ve been ruminating on for months. It’s awful, but it’s something. Now, I just need to get back to it and write an ending that matches it in awfulness. Then I can revise! We’ll see where that goes.

I’ve also written a paper or two for school. Not exactly what I am talking about when I talk about my writing. It is technically writing though.

A friend of mine from my creative writing school days wrote me an e-mail about journaling that’s got me thinking about being more faithful to that kind of writing. How can you not want to grab a pen and notebook when someone describes it as a way of clearing your head and freeing your creativity? It’s something I’ve always known, but sometimes when you hear it from someone else it carries more weight. I have half-filled notebooks with random thoughts, neat bumper sticker sayings, grocery lists, and even the occasional fiction work-in-progress that are scattered all over my house. I even have what I would call a diary. She suggested putting all that in one notebook — it gives context to all that you write. Yes, even those grocery lists. Now, I have to settle on a notebook.

Oh, and I started a new blog! I don’t love the new blog any more than I love this one. I just wanted to separate the two. My new venture in the web logging atmosphere is about pop culture. It’s pretty general right now, but I’m trying to find my pop culture-obsessed voice. The cousin of  the kristin’s pen blog can be found at http://thecharlestonpop.blogspot.com/.

I’m finding my words are surfacing in many different places and this is what counts. I need to remember that when I am feeling bad about not writing.

Writer writes writer’s block … weird

Someone recently pointed out that I was writing a blog about not writing. This person thought it was interesting (funny) that I considered myself as suffering from writer’s block when I am in fact writing.

I suppose s/he is right.

I’ve been looking at it from the standpoint that I am not writing fiction or non-fiction. It’s not that I don’t take this blog seriously and I am often thinking about what my topic is going to be. I just need to be writing on a regular basis … something I’ve been attempting to do here. And something I would like to do outside of the blogging world. I am always thinking about stories I want to work on and collecting random observations to use in something, someday (i.e., names, people’s mannerisms, odd things on the side of the road).

See, there I go again. I’m just being too hard on myself. I should stop that.