Neighborhood Register by Marcus Jackson

I just received a copy of Marcus Jackson's wonderful book, "Neighborhood Register."

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It's Math!

Math! In a country that ranks 28th in the International Comparison of Math Skills, just behind Latvia!

from Anne Marie Slaughter's blog, The Atlantic Monthly Sept. 18

"In plain English, the Cold War world was like chess. The 21st century world is more like
tennis . . . Or take surfing " Anne Marie writes in her article, Adapting US Policy in a Changing International System.
Now I'm really scared. I was never all that happy with the chess metaphor, considering that, statistically speaking, there are more chess games possible than there are atoms in the universe.

So, hmmm. Has anyone seen the surfing movie, Riding Giants?

Ann Patchett

I know. Everyone loves Ann Patchett. Everyone I know, that is. So I tried her.
First, I made it through Bel Canto. A novel in which a bunch of terrorists fall in love with an opera singer. I have trouble with this, but I admired her ability to keep telling the unlikely tale ad nauseum. It was nice to like terrorists so much. But these were all accidental terrorists. Terrorists who swoon over opera! So lovable. So sweet. It was so sad when they all died!
So then I read State of Wonder. I was told it's the next best thing. I would like to re-title the book, Menstruation Everlasting. I mean, I admit I was almost okay with the novel until she started describing a bunch of wild women who eat bark by biting trees . . . and thus become eternally fertile. 70 year old women are pregnant! Imagine how much fun that would be!

I don't mean to suggest I don't like peculiar tales of wonder. I am a huge fan of Murakami, whom I find infinitely more believable than Ann Patchett.

Good books I've read recently include 4 Murakami novels
Lisa See's Dreams of Joy and Shanghai Girls
Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick (fantastic book on North Korea)
Infidel and Nomad by Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Sea of Poppies by Amitav Gosh

Rick Perry Comic

No ma'am.
It will cost you millions (pronounced
mee-yuns) to touch my trigger.

Ron Paul's Modest Proposal

GOP response to Ron Paul's Economic Plan

GOP Economic Proposal

Michelle Bachmann comic

Ron Paul comic

Romney comic

Rick Perry Comic

Meet President Obama

Let me introduce you to the 44th President of the United States, and the first African American president of this great country . . .

What Does the World Think of the US Media

In a blog entry for The Atlantic Monthly, on how the world sees US. media coverage, Anne Marie Slaughter begins with the question, "When will we be able to see ourselves as others see us around the world?"

She has a series of wonderful tweets she received in response to the question, one of which I posted above. Another: "A Dutchman sent in the following response: 'the world thinks that happy peoples only have boring news... Keep it that way!'"

Reading at Erika's Loft

It was such an honor to read on 9/11 with Erika Lutzner and so many stars including Marlena Morling, Elaine Sexton, John Lane, Kate Lutzner, and Dorianne Laux.

What do you think of contemporary poetry?

This was an opinion of Eleanor Ross Taylor's from about 15 years ago, a sentiment shared by my parents.

Poetry Book Group first Tuesday of every month

For September we read James Harms, After West. For October, Heather McHugh, Upgraded to Serious.

7:00 at the Lemon Grove

When did you know you wanted to be a poet?

So what does your mother think of your poetry?

Another question I am often asked. Especially about the Book of Orgasms. My mother has a few great answers . . .

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I have been asked this quite a few times . . .

Drought

"It's not just the severity of the drought, but the expanse of it. Hundreds and hundreds of miles without water, spanning huge landmasses in three countries . . ."

I stole this image and quote from my daughter who is in Kenya, working with CRS on the crisis there.

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John Lane

John Lane has just published a beautiful new book, Abandoned Quarry, Mercer University Press.

Plume

http://www.plumepoetry.com/

Okay, so I can't get this link to work, but it's a great new little magazine! Paste it into the search, and voila!

Plume, my favorite Michaux character . . . How could a magazine go wrong with a name like that?

Publishing Poetry

Also France

That is is one long flight . . .

In France, they have sheet-quilts on the beds in hotels. It's an all-or-nothing bedding . . .

France!

Fletcher Graduation

John Kerry gave the Fletcher graduation lecture. I wish he had been at least half that articulate when he was running for president. He spoke about the need for the U.S. government to pay attention and invest in the Middle East, esp. Egypt where unemployment is 25%. Without U.S. involvement and investment, he suggested, the country could easily become radicalized.


He also talked about the Israeli-Palestinian issue. Afterwards, one of S's Palestinian friends commented that the leaders in both countries do not want peace. They are elected on a platform of hostility. An olive branch is considered a sign of weakness.