Author: coffeehousejunkie

Advent Poems

Why is it so difficult to find well-written Advent poems? Last year I posted a few poems on the theme of Advent. It was a project that was more challenging than I anticipated. I learned that there is a wealth of seasonal poems including Christmas or winter related themes and populated with snowflakes, elves, reindeer,  snowmen, chestnuts, and other such nostalgia. Also, I discovered many religious poems that are too horrid to post. Maybe ‘horrid’ is too strong of a word, but it did concern me that these religious poems were so badly composed that I almost abandoned the project. Suffice it to say, I did find a few good poems to mark the season of Advent.

If you are of a Christian liturgical or orthodox tradition you already know that Sunday marks the fourth Sunday of Advent. [1] This Sunday I will post an Advent poem a day until Christmas Day. Hope you enjoy the selections, and feel free to add suggestions in the comments section of the blog.

NOTES: [1] November 27 – First Sunday of Advent, December 4 – Second Sunday of Advent, December 11 – Third Sunday of Advent, December 18 – Fourth Sunday of Advent

Horizon Records. Since 1975.

Three things I learned from Christopher Hitchens

This morning, after reading the news of the passing of celebrity intellectual Christopher Hitchens, I reblogged a few items and quotes on my Tumblr page. [1] [2] It was not his rhetoric [3] that attracted me to his public persona. Nor is it his writings that attracted me to him. I have not read all his books. Though I do confess that I subscribe to The Atlantic for the sheer pleasure of reading his articles.

What enamors me to Hitchens is his justo to engage in the Great Debate. [4] That inspires me. Where most of our culture retreats from serious discussion of issues of faith, philosophy and religion–preferring reductionist thought and banal entertainment–Hitchens stoked the fires of conversation and debate with wit, passion and intrigue. In reflecting what I might learn from the life of Christopher Hitchens, I feel quite inadequate. There is so much to learn from him, yet, here are three short thoughts:

  1. If you are a mediocre or even good writer, your words will survive you.
  2. Friends will shape you and your thinking.
  3. Avoid being defined by your critics and fans.

Writers and public intellectuals will compose grand obituaries with wise thoughts, expressions and reflections. Their words will be published today and throughout the weekend in the world’s largest newspapers and magazines. And then there are a lot of us beyond the periphery of the spotlight and public square who in some small way are affected by his legacy. To conclude, as one writer concluded his obituary, [5] Christopher Eric Hitchens (1949-2011). R.I.P.

NOTES: [1] “I became a journalist…” and “to remember friendship is to recall those conversations…” and Postscript: Christopher Hitchens, 1949-2011. [2] To some who know me beyond the façade of blogs and social media, this may or may not appear an odd display. [3] He often offered false assumptions and careless conclusions in his arguments. In this, I refer to rhetoric as it relates to classical education (rhetoric builds on grammar and logic) not polemics. [4] The Great Debate is more than a book or video (featuring Hitchens), it is an age-old debate of the existence of God. [5] “Christopher Hitchens Has Died”

Conversations that seem a sin to break off

For me to remember friendship is to recall those conversations that it seemed a sin to break off: the ones that made the sacrifice of the following day a trivial one.

Christopher Hitchens, 1949-2011

Cabin Floor Records.

Looks like my kind of store.

Poetrio on hiatus until February 2012

Some of you may already know this, but I received an email from Malaprop’s informing that the Poetrio readings will be on hiatus until February 2012. Here’s an excerpt from an email I received:

Here at Malaprop’s, we’ll take a break from Poetrio in December 2011 and in January 2012.  Proximity of holidays and sometimes risky weather often make it difficult for visiting poets and some of you to travel to Poetrio in December and January; but be sure to mark your 2012 calendars for the first Poetrio of the new year: 3:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, February 5.

What does a creative director do?

‘What does a creative director do at a publishing house?’ he asked after we were introduced to each other at a party. That question was asked at several events I attended this weekend. At the party, I paused to consider general day to day tasks that consume me. Took a sip from the Belgian-style wheat ale we were enjoying and said, ‘A creative director is like an air traffic controller for an art department.’ As that metaphor seemed to resonate and take form in his mind I added, ‘An air traffic controller who often has to pilot the aircraft that is landing.’ That seemed to raise a few eyebrows.

I’d like to know how other creative directors define their role.

‘You… will go places…’

Choose Your Own Adventure at the library.

(via dyt)

(Source: http://designyoutrust.com/2011/11/29/granny’s-social-media-advices/)

This reminds me of a song…

The naked ribs of a building.

Grove Arcade decorated for the holidays.

Beer City USA gingerbread house. #avl #avlbeer

Nothing says home like #avl public transit.

Wonder if they ever get tired of reaching for something they’ll never grasp.

Paradise… a library

(Source: http://imgfave.com/view/1718859)

The Electric Car Paradox

utnereader:

The Electric Car Paradox:

Electric vehicles are creating a lot of promise in the green world, but they don’t necessarily lead to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Consider the cases of China and Sweden, which have both heavily encouraged electric car ownership among their citizens but have failed to enjoy an attendant drop in transportation-sector carbon emissions.

What’s going on here? Keep reading …

(Source: http://www.utne.com/Wild-Green/The-Electric-Car-Paradox.aspx)

Big night in Asheville for poetry readings

Malaprop's reading for Nov. 11, 2011

Last night Asheville hosted two great poetry readings.

Loretta’s Cafe featured the Flood Reading Series with poets DeWayne Barton, Gyorgyi Voros, and Landon Godfrey.

Malaprop’s featured readings by Evie Shockley and Luke Hankins.

Unfortunately, I missed both readings because I was on the road and didn’t return to my adopted hometown until after the readings. Anyone have a report to how the readings went? Please feel free to offer a review of the readings in the comments.

New York Times, November 11, 1911

(via peterfeld)1

NOTE:
1) Peter Feld, think locally act globally, accessed November 11, 2011, https://peterfeld.tumblr.com/post/12650957873/new-york-times-november-11-1911

Poem: In Flanders Fields

theatlantic:  One of our favorites here at The Atlantic  inothernews:  The story of In Flanders Fields, one of history’s most memorable wartime poems.  (h/t brnttecnfessns)

There’s something about these clouds…

Flood Reading Series, Posana’s, November 11, 2011

DeWayne Barton is a native of Asheville, N.C. who grew up in Washington, D.C. and is a Gulf War Veteran. He attended Norfolk State University from 1996-1999, majoring in Social Work. He is the author of a recent book of poetry, Urban Nightmare Silent Screams and has been involved in community improvement and youth development for over 15 years. He is both a co-founder and co-director of Asheville Green Opportunities, a job training program designed to prepare Asheville area youth and adults for “green-collar” careers. Both his sculpture art and his poetry reflect his commitment to environmental sustainability and social justice. 

Gyorgyi Voros is the author of Unwavering. Conrad Aiken says of her poetry: “The music of Voros’s poetry is more than music. It’s the motion of life and lots of things in it thinking, changing one’s mind, forgetting and remembering.” 

Voros is also the author of Notations of the Wild: Ecology in the poetry of Wallace Stevens, published by University of Iowa Press. She teaches poetry and creative writing at Virginia Tech, in Blacksburg Virginia. 



Landon Godfrey has just been awarded a North Carolina Arts Council 2011-2012 Artist Fellowship. Her book, Second-Skin Rhinestone-Spangled
Nude Soufflé Chiffon Gown, which was published in 2011 was selected by David St. John for the Cider Press Review Book Award.

(via an email newsletter)

“Think about it strategically.”

I like how Gini Dietrich handles this:

“…before you use the digital tools to give your customers access to you, think about what it could mean down the road. Think about it strategically.” (via Spin Sucks)

NOTES:
1) Gini Dietrich, “How Much Transparency Is Too Much?” October 31, 2011, Spin Sucks, accessed November 5, 2011, https://spinsucks.com/social-media/how-much-transparency-is-too-much/#.TrWYQQuKqWo.tumblr