tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61766360234797186022012-02-16T04:29:18.796-07:00Life, Reading, Writing & (MFA) Crazinesswahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.comBlogger901100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-82758771316221247752011-02-07T11:01:00.003-07:002011-02-07T11:08:23.416-07:00

go to Kickstarter! help fund what's sure to be an awesometastic flick.February 12th is the deadline—if they don't meet their goal by then, they lose all the money they've raised so far!i mean, who doesn't love Peter Fonda?thanks thanks : )"Two women risk everything to deliver a piece of lost fan mail to American icon Peter Fonda in time for his 71st birthday."

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-3180389353039416342011-01-17T14:17:00.004-07:002011-01-17T14:19:59.600-07:00

I'm going to make it a tradition to read this (at least) once a year—on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Still so timely, so beautiful, so powerful. Here's an excerpt (the ending). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~From the Martin Luther King, Jr. Nobel Peace Prize Lecture"The Quest for Peace and Justice"Dec. 11, 1964 "All that I have said boils down to the point of affirming that

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-71479225690370470552010-03-06T23:51:00.001-07:002010-03-06T23:54:02.937-07:00

thanks for the music.

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-58885446323807316322010-01-01T20:37:00.007-07:002010-01-01T20:49:21.043-07:00

you silent giant.~~~& happy new year, world. ♥

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-53900411547208672002009-12-18T18:09:00.049-07:002009-12-18T20:24:35.163-07:00

hi,here's a secret. i mostly write this blog using proper capitalization, but if you knew me, you'd know that's not how i talk when i'm talking to friends.you can be my friend tonight.what am i doing. what i am. here's a few things:*i'm reading ander monson's other electricities. i'm only like 30 pages in. it's growing inside me. it's everything i need to be reading right now. it's signed. it

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-37507999350915956312009-12-03T17:53:00.006-07:002010-05-31T12:26:10.189-07:00

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-37713690306125271332009-11-17T04:17:00.001-07:002009-11-17T04:17:42.335-07:00

i like thishttp://oo22.com/fb/alright.html Posted via email from Wahida's posterous

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-49464672452701404662009-11-03T05:02:00.001-07:002009-11-03T05:02:39.981-07:00

See the full gallery on posterous Posted via email from Wahida's posterous

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-43689532741679600772009-09-14T23:41:00.004-07:002009-09-14T23:44:07.532-07:00

Not much makes me miss the desert, but this video makes me miss it so much I could cry."Four Provinces," by The WalkmenI shouldn't be here. I should be writing a story that starts with the first line of Kate Chopin's "The Storm," so that's what I'm going to go do.♥ Goodnight, world.

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-61597670154680719672009-09-04T17:41:00.005-07:002009-09-04T15:47:08.686-07:00

So I know I dropped off the side of the planet. But I'm here! And now, here is Minneapolis. I arrived at the end of July, and ever since I've been running around trying to get my life in order. Things are just about normalized, so I figured I'd pull it together and post a post for you good people of the internets.I got lost one night, and ended up with a great view of the river. Did you know the

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-83266299131099333432009-08-16T23:10:00.009-07:002009-08-16T23:30:34.417-07:00

Here is the letter I sent through the White House's online comment form, earlier today. It's a bit sappy, (well very), and it's certainly no masterpiece of rhetorical writing. But I think volume is what matters most. Send a quick note to show your support! Feel free to borrow/adapt bits of this when writing your own letter of support.Contact the White House to show your support for health care

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-37347650869117925802009-08-01T14:07:00.004-07:002009-08-01T14:17:19.184-07:00

So, I met a lot of great people on P & W and the MFA Blog during the application season. Some of us decided it would be great to keep in touch via Facebook & Twitter, and I met a lot of new great people through the people I'd already connected with.One of those great people, Jonterri Gadson, came up with a great idea: a collaborative blog made by first year MFA students. And so The MFA Chronicles

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-17655668895204993562009-07-13T03:12:00.032-07:002009-07-13T04:25:06.387-07:00

I'm a procrastinator, to the point where it's almost obscene. I write many of my first drafts all at once, most in 2-3 sittings, usually within 12-72 hours of my due date. Don't tell anyone. I always make it in time, but there's something about the adrenaline that comes with pushing right up against a deadline that helps drop me right into the zone. I'm a junkie.I have no discipline.Or at least,

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-45440357597051803022009-07-08T15:23:00.021-07:002009-07-08T19:50:37.878-07:00

I should be packing but I can't even think. WHAT. THE. F$!#.Hearing about these kids getting kicked out of that pool makes me want to punch something. Philly needs to f-ing shut Valley Swim Club down.I feel like my brain is broken. I want to punch something. This needs major coverage NOW.#racistpool, #valleyswimclubRT @harrislacewell: You can email outrage about #racistpool to info@

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-87084030176404629462009-06-27T18:53:00.056-07:002009-06-27T23:00:23.615-07:00

PIA08533: Supernova Dust Factory in M74 SO, for months now I've been meaning to post a list of things I learned from the MFA application process. But I just didn't have the strength. Now that I'm safely far, far away from that soul-crushing process, I think I'm ready to give it a go.Here's the knowledge-like substance I gleaned from the whole torrid affair.1) MFA APPLICATIONS WILL KILL YOUR

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-65616010727663975232009-06-25T18:19:00.050-07:002009-06-26T00:53:31.815-07:00

Rest in peace, Michael Jackson.See "Michael Jackson, Pop Icon, is Dead at 50," at the New York Times.I actually own The Wiz. Michael Jackson singing "You Can't Win":"You Can't Win," by Charlie SmallsYou can't win, You can't break evenAnd you can't get out of the game.People keep saying, Things are gonna changeBut they look just likeYou're staying the sameYou get in way over your headAnd you only

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-86354323649936880092009-06-16T00:10:00.031-07:002009-06-16T01:03:16.252-07:00

My dear S. is notable!! ♥"22 Ways of Looking at Chagall," by Sacha SiskonenCheck it out here, scroll down to the New Mississippi Review.Notice how close her name is to Robert Olen Butler's?!You can read her wonderful story at the Mississippi Review Online, here. You might have noticed the link to it in the sidebar, before, under "My Friend Wrote a Story." You might have seen her blog in my

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-3115555288290960532009-06-06T11:33:00.011-07:002009-06-22T15:04:53.664-07:00

I want to introduce you to my other blog:Multi What? A blog about mixed identity. Multicultural, multiethnic, multiracial, multi-multi...Multi who, multi what? A blog about mixed identity, by one of the world's few (?) Somali-Armenian Americans. ...Tiger Woods is Cablinasian, this lady's Armali. I've done some renovation, and now I'll be approaching it from a different (more personal) angle. I'm

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-71589643608531388162009-06-04T19:36:00.009-07:002009-06-04T21:57:33.095-07:00

Check out the transcript at the White House blog.Here's my silly Twitter commentary. (Actually starts at the bottom):RT @hrw: Obama Mid-East Speech Supports Rights, Democracy http://tinyurl.com/qvxqafashamed to say i'm going to pause for sytycdance. but did you notice that he actually SAID THE WORD COLONIALISM?! at the beginning. wowow!Obama "...align our policies with those who pursue peace, &

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-58523405629856715082009-05-31T12:19:00.006-07:002009-05-31T12:51:02.435-07:00

The second time I've watched this episode of PBS American Masters---Pete Seeger: The Power of SongAnd remember when he was on Letterman? ♥ "Take it from Dr. King" ♥90 years old and still going strong! Did you know there's a movement to give Pete Seeger a Nobel Peace Prize? Check it out: http://www.nobelprize4pete.org/

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-87250789017000884952009-05-29T21:49:00.003-07:002009-06-16T01:25:01.912-07:00

Remember that short story contest I mentioned a little while back? Well, somehow---I won! For a short story I first wrote in 2007, called "Wet Season."I still can't quite believe it. My first writing prize! And the first time I've actually made money through my writing. I totally got all teary and shaky when they called me up to the little podium last night, even though I'd promised myself that I

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-42572882126831073752009-05-26T21:28:00.002-07:002009-05-26T21:32:24.620-07:00

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-47139651371716883232009-05-25T14:55:00.014-07:002009-05-25T15:40:06.836-07:00

This photo made little cartoon hearts swirl around my head.From the Official White House Photostream:President Barack Obama bends over so the son of a White House staff member can pat his head during a family visit to the Oval Office May 8, 2009. The youngster wanted to see if the President's haircut felt like his own.(Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)PS---Love, love.

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-82070027297284361372009-05-23T22:54:00.020-07:002009-06-03T14:09:40.582-07:00

So---I've decided to blow my cover. I feel like I've gotten over some of my initial embarrassment, largely thanks to those of you who keep visiting, those of you who've taken the time to say a few words. So thanks for that.Yes, I get pretty silly here, and no, it's nothing fancy. But it's me, or at least it's a little bit of me. Why be ashamed about that? I can put together a more

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-1366855858675923092009-05-20T20:42:00.015-07:002009-06-07T22:31:07.332-07:00

I want to talk about this excellent, thought-provoking Racialicious guest post, by Neesha Meminger, when I'm not so tired. Here are a few excerpts:Is it cool for white people to write from the perspective of people of color? How about [...] for men to write from the perspective of women? [Etc, right?][...] in an interview on ustrek.org, Sherman Alexie, author of Ten Little Indians and The

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-79850434678970381562009-05-20T20:02:00.008-07:002009-05-20T20:28:24.599-07:00

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2009/05/19/arts/20090518_RECESSIONARTISTS_SLIDESHOW_index.htmlCheck out this article over at the New York Times. They didn't talk to any writers, but it's still relevant.Tight Times Loosen Creativity By ROBIN POGREBIN Published: May 20, 2009 Hundreds of artists told us how the economy is affecting their lives and work.There's a little video linked there, too:The

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-58102492156468387122009-05-17T18:22:00.013-07:002009-05-17T22:21:03.593-07:00

I've been feeling pretty burned out on music for a while. This really kicked me awake. I listened to the whole album (via the stream over at NPR) at least three times in a row today.Apparently there were legal problems with the label (they wanted to shelve the album?!), so the project is being sold as a book of photography by David Lynch, along with---get this---a blank CD-R. Guess what you're

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-31769466207015234902009-05-16T17:49:00.010-07:002009-05-16T19:12:54.432-07:00

1) Assemble file boxes. √2) Tear house apart. √3) Say, "Screw this." √4) Eat ice cream, watch TV. √5) Trip over huge paper mess for next few weeks.http://www.stumpymoose.com/archive/page.asp?id=839Oh, and while I'm at it, this amuses me:Also in recent news, I saw the new Star Trek at the drive-in last Saturday night. Completely awesome, and I've come to a realization, (see Armali.)I am Spock!Live

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-41910066011502962582009-05-12T19:19:00.007-07:002009-05-12T19:34:02.337-07:00

Who woulda useda thunkit? Things really are looking brighter, in places.From the White House blog:Tuesday, May 12th, 2009 at 5:44 pm Poetry, Music and Spoken Word Tonight, the President and the First Lady will host an evening celebrating poetry, music and the spoken word. This event is designed around the theme of dialogue, showing how dialogue is important in every aspect of who we

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-88862364461278183612009-05-10T18:03:00.008-07:002009-05-10T18:20:13.868-07:00

PS, an update.I asked around. Apparently I'm the last 25-year-old on earth to start graying. Who knew? It must be my strong Armali (Armenian-Somali) blood.My grandmother wrote me a letter, I got it yesterday. She's always so sweet and supportive, in a strange and wonderful way:We will be okay and pray that all of our loved ones will also be okay.(I'm sure we all will as we have strong Armenian

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-55280321457659099552009-05-08T17:46:00.002-07:002009-05-10T18:03:52.478-07:00

I found a white hair today. I'm 25. At first it freaked me out, but then I thought of my mom's awesome white streak. I kinda want one.

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-32201991042538765372009-05-07T21:05:00.002-07:002009-05-07T21:07:51.900-07:00

Coming soon.

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-17939823509506236292009-05-05T00:01:00.003-07:002009-05-05T00:10:56.247-07:00

"But really, what interesting happened in a home?"

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-62913769180363778232009-05-03T22:20:00.004-07:002009-05-04T00:04:48.664-07:00

ladies and gentlemen, 4058 words. and i think we have an ending here. goodnight, seattle! 2 minutes ago from web @ms. x: i'm required to put a word count in the header. less than 4000 or over 5000 and we get docked a grade. thems the breaks. 2 minutes ago from web they're closing the Boston Globe?! (...300 to go.) 41 minutes ago from web 400 left. my pace is slowing...i'm getting sleepy. and

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-91930871084536818392009-05-01T21:07:00.007-07:002009-05-10T18:16:18.068-07:00

Our Mama.

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-12232123432150119872009-04-30T20:20:00.010-07:002009-04-30T20:40:07.025-07:00

From Amnesty International: Troy Davis was convicted of murdering a Georgia police officer in 1991. Nearly two decades later, Davis remains on death row – even though the case against him has fallen apart. Davis’ conviction was not based on any physical evidence, and the murder weapon was never found. Since his trial, seven of the nine eyewitnesses have recanted or contradicted their testimony,

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-47935816458458802162009-04-27T23:14:00.009-07:002009-04-27T23:41:25.718-07:00

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-79328914091686069802009-04-25T14:32:00.024-07:002009-05-10T18:17:11.932-07:00

WTF---NUCLEAR WASTE?! How did I not know about this? Why aren't more people talking about this?I'm really glad to see there are people out there taking a multi-angled view of this pirate mess. There's so much human suffering involved, and there's more than one place to lay the blame.(I know, I know---this place is completely scattered. But please just go read this article over at the Huffington

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-46604782225033515452009-04-24T23:14:00.016-07:002009-04-25T00:19:42.348-07:00

You're probably wondering where all the "fiction" is---I've been wandering---so I thought I'd share this little review. I wrote it for a summer intro-to-fiction class. It could use some editing, but I'm sleepy, so I'm just shaking it off and setting it out to air.Don't laugh, or better, do.Goodnight : )* HERE BE SPOILERS!*On Amy Hempel’s The Dog of the Marriage(me, 7/2/07)Amy Hempel’s collection

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-63182874918220261942009-04-21T19:33:00.020-07:002009-04-21T21:15:30.689-07:00

I really really wish this NY Times article was from The Onion...I mean, look at that headline. I know it's not surprising, but it should be.My brain is exploding, and not in a good way. In Adopting Harsh Tactics, No Inquiry Into Past Use By SCOTT SHANE and MARK MAZZETTI Published: April 21, 2009[...] In a series of high-level meetings in 2002, without a single dissent from cabinet members or

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-71651908685116053682009-04-21T17:57:00.000-07:002009-04-25T00:25:51.271-07:00

Too hot, can't think.

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-21724121233274291942009-04-17T19:36:00.036-07:002009-04-18T10:16:19.014-07:00

Dr. Trudy Griffin-Pierce just glowed with kindness. She was such an earnest and sincere person, so genuinely warm---radiant.She taught the Anthropology senior capstone I took my last semester at the U of A. The minute she walked into class the first day, I knew that I really liked her. (Maybe she was wearing one of her homemade skirts, maybe the knee-length turquoise one with the white zigzag

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-40539021130401089252009-04-16T21:00:00.014-07:002009-04-22T22:02:55.683-07:00

Got my FINAL notification today---I accepted at Minnesota last month, so this is just for posterity's sake. I'm taking this off the sidebar, now. It feels good to be settled, signed, sealed, delivered.Nine applications. One acceptance (golden ticket!), one confirmed waitlist, one possible waitlist/eventual rejection, and six flat-out rejections.How it all shook out:The Long Wait: MFA Fiction

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-46820364235685725832009-04-15T14:44:00.014-07:002009-04-19T00:47:10.992-07:00

It breaks my heart:Watch the documentary and read the synopsis here.Interview with the journalist, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy here---more about the piece at sharmeenobaidfilms.com.Something has to change. I hope Obama will work to make sure that U.S. policy and action stop feeding into these kinds of cycles of violence. But to be honest, I'm worried. And sad.

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-51597484263787995242009-04-14T21:18:00.008-07:002009-04-14T21:34:32.791-07:00

I can't keep eating like this. Free food is free food (or, a shift meal is a shift meal)---but every day? I can feel my arteries organizing a protest.And lately I'm too worn out to cook when I get home, so dinner's been frozen pizza and/or canned soup and fish sticks. Not good.I was really proud of myself last week, I actually made myself a huge okra and green bean stew, and I've been eating it

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-62084019708676126572009-04-13T15:52:00.008-07:002009-04-13T15:58:52.682-07:00

I love that the school I'll be attending has a ridiculously un-threatening mascot. Doesn't mean I'll ever come within 100 yards of an actual game, but still.Go, glorified hamsters!

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-73795673066158025782009-04-12T16:50:00.005-07:002009-04-12T17:02:29.351-07:00

It's sad when you realize how many years it's been since you ate a chocolate bunny.http://www.flickr.com/photos/steeev/2586950767/

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-48770528329823448942009-04-10T19:51:00.014-07:002009-05-30T12:37:17.552-07:00

About noir/detective fiction (and genre in general, and the question of what is literary):I went through a period when Walter Mosley was practically all I was reading.Maybe that's an exaggeration, but I was a huge fan. I even have a picture, circa 2004, where I'm standing next to him at a post-reading book signing, beaming. Part of me thinks I should be ashamed to admit that, (it's the

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-29921250032673056112009-04-09T21:24:00.028-07:002009-04-17T04:52:37.142-07:00

Went to the Denis Johnson UA Poetry Center reading tonight, he was signing books and he signed Jesus' Son for me. Really great reading---he was just so funny and charming. He read from his new noir "shoot-em-up" novel, Nobody Move, which apparently started out as a serial for Playboy.Also read a poem from The Incognito Lounge, at the request of several audience members. (He seemed pleased, and

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-76128037912622513972009-04-08T22:17:00.005-07:002009-04-08T22:48:31.860-07:00

So, I kind of feel like I should take the blog down, start over with a less guess what happened to me today/work sucks/I like cider beer approach.Try to be more serious and professional, mwah ha ha? Since I'm going to be starting this program, and I'm going to be teaching, and I feel like I'm supposed to have a "myrealname.com" sort of website, where I (try to) say brilliant things in a charming,

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-8335374540944387072009-04-07T18:40:00.021-07:002009-04-12T17:03:22.811-07:00

Here's a bad photo I took of one of the Dinkytown murals.So far I've been too busy to write about my visit to Minneapolis, but I had a great time. I got there on Thursday, and met another incoming student at the airport---we rode the lightrail into the city together, and then split up for a bit (she went to meet her host, I went to the department.)I met Julie Schumacher (fiction faculty and the

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-20817036578936990742009-04-07T16:02:00.006-07:002009-04-07T20:34:36.146-07:00

A million cheers for Iowa and Vermont!In other news (I'm a future Minnesotan, after all)---when will Al Franken get his Senate seat?In other other news, President Obama (I love saying that) was in Iraq today.Now that the mayhem of the admissions season is over, I have some brain space left to read the news again (not just scan it.) It's nice.

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-40416930526807841402009-04-01T22:28:00.005-07:002009-04-01T22:34:12.028-07:00

Big news for S. today---Hooray! We're free, it's over, we actually made it through...now for the good stuff.PS---No blog lately, sleepy all the time.

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-24742651936051164182009-03-28T23:56:00.011-07:002009-04-07T20:29:55.935-07:00

Lind Hall, home of the Creative Writing Program and the English DepartmentI accepted my offer from Minnesota the night before I flew out for the prospectives' weekend. I just got home---I feel so lucky. It was a dream, except that everything really happened.

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-18503401971785750192009-03-24T19:57:00.006-07:002009-06-27T21:22:31.225-07:00

So----I'm waitlisted at Cornell. I found out today, J Robert Lennon emailed me after I called the office to ask for an update on my status. I'm so (very very) low on the list that there's no chance I'll get in, but I just feel really really happy to have made the list at all, and it feels really good just to know.

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-4700113023293921732009-03-21T09:48:00.044-07:002009-03-31T18:38:41.277-07:00

I've been meaning to post about the Tucson Festival of Books, which was really just awesome all around. I keep putting it off, because there's so much to write about, and I'm lazy and tired and should be doing other things. I have S. here visiting me this weekend, she's asleep in the other room, so I thought I'd squeeze in at least part of what I mean to say about the festival.I started out at

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-3980026462837607212009-03-21T09:43:00.010-07:002009-11-24T12:48:34.919-07:00

A kind little birdie told me that Cornell has no official waitlist, just a few people on a "shortlist," and they don't tell those people that they're on it unless they ask. I emailed the department on Thursday, asking if they can inform me of my application status, but haven't heard back yet. Maybe they're on spring break? If I don't hear back, I'm calling on Monday for sure.I guess (according to

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-79271878392601364272009-03-17T16:53:00.014-07:002009-03-22T01:01:57.251-07:00

So, an update.Rejected by UMass Boston, via website. Rejected by Syracuse, finally, via mail.Unsure about what's going on with Rutgers-Newark, I know some have been accepted, but other people are saying they haven't made all their selections yet?Expecting a rejection from U Florida, I think.Frantically waiting for a rejection from Cornell. People started getting rejections a while ago, now. Every

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-74250136321441100542009-03-16T21:39:00.015-07:002009-03-22T00:48:42.360-07:00

I'm talking to my sister on the phone---"You must be so lonely," she says.

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-1252365507962285272009-03-14T21:13:00.025-07:002009-04-04T17:47:43.163-07:00

So, She's Gotta Have It just came on as the local Saturday night movie. Usually it's weird horror films from the 50s/60s/70s, so this is a surprise.Apparently this was Lee's first feature-length film, and he plays a part in it (Mars Blackmon.) It came out in 1986. I've never seen it before, and actually I haven't seen most of Lee's films. As it happens, Clockers and Do the Right Thing are on my

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-30354620256846234242009-03-13T20:17:00.049-07:002009-03-21T10:11:46.291-07:00

So, tomorrow morning marks the start of the very first Tucson Festival of Books!Here is a link to maps and schedules, and here is the festival blog.The UA Poetry Center has a list of their events.The Pima County Public Library has a page about the festival.There's an entry about it on the NewPages blog.The Arizona Public Media page features video.They even have a Facebook page.And here's a clip

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-38147434130178246752009-03-12T15:59:00.031-07:002009-03-13T20:23:29.183-07:00

I bumped into Prof. Manuel Muñoz today after work (I'd stopped by campus to deposit my check and chat with a couple of friends.) The four of us got to talking about his second collection of stories, The Faith Healer of Olive Avenue. We talked about the heartbreakingness of his story "When You Come Into Your Kingdom."Then I mentioned that "Tell Him About Brother John" was one of my favorite

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-89122467698434427092009-03-11T20:03:00.022-07:002009-03-12T17:34:22.604-07:00

The forums/blogs/post-subscriptions are driving me into the ground. My obsession with wringing every drop of information from the internet every day is truly starting to affect my quality of life.I was finished with work today by noon. I ate lunch, walked to the library to return a book, talked to my sister on the phone, and was home by 2 pm. A nice way to start the free portion of my

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-86682724873026815612009-03-10T20:40:00.030-07:002009-04-01T16:14:37.763-07:00

Ahem...I've developed the most ridiculous fear that some of the programs I've applied to are finding my blog and actually reading it. This would be a terrible, terrible thing."But you're anonymous," you might say. Well, not so much, if you've read my SOP.How would they find me? I have no idea. (The forums? Google? The tin foil hat I'm wearing?)Aren't I blowing my relative importance in the MFA

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-81298926732049381112009-03-08T11:33:00.031-07:002009-06-22T23:10:51.380-07:00

Photo from here.U Minnesota MFAUniversity of MinnesotaUniversity of Minnesota: Wish You Were HereIntro blurb voiced by Garrison Keillor*City of Minneapolis Official siteMinneapolis Craigslist Apartments, roommatesMinneapolis Wikipedia Because Wikipedia knows everything?Pros and Cons of Minneapolis*City Pages News, culture, art, music, nightlifeSeems cool, like Boston's Weekly Dig, which I loved

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-49180772005442261502009-03-07T21:23:00.009-07:002009-03-12T17:26:34.333-07:00

The mailbox insisted on remaining empty today.I'm expecting letters (rejections) from Syracuse and Cornell. But I should say that even when I'm not waiting for anything in particular to come, I'm still crazy about the mail. I feel sad when it's nothing but junk, and part of me wants to do a frantic little angsty dance when there's nothing in it at all.Maybe it's the little kid in me---every day

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-63617268189120423152009-03-05T21:57:00.008-07:002009-03-14T22:04:39.174-07:00

My friend S. is on an incredible roll, and I couldn't be more proud of her.Our talks help me feel sane (but not too sane) in this crazy time. Here's to dreams come true.PS---What a great movie, right?

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-54886131192747083892009-03-04T20:08:00.011-07:002009-03-12T17:23:49.913-07:00

Burning Down the House: Essays on Fiction, by Charles BaxterI started reading it a while ago---completely fascinating, it's blowing my mind in several ways.But now, every time I randomly hear the Talking Heads song he named the book after, I start to think it's a sign pointing me to Minnesota. And by "every time," I mean the two times that that's happened recently.1) I'm watching the third season

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-58005168309253171612009-03-02T16:48:00.006-07:002009-03-08T11:05:10.314-07:00

Finally got my Michigan rejection in the mail after work today. I was really impressed by the comforting tone of the letter. Is that really so hard to do? Say a few nice things, wish the person luck? Send the letter from the flipping department?It seems like Michigan could teach some schools a few things. (Cough---UMass---Cough.)Good luck, anyone stumbling through. Tomorrow's another day!

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-39865713342623452712009-03-01T13:10:00.055-07:002009-03-05T20:46:11.164-07:00

I'm almost positive I'll be heading to Minnesota in the fall, and I'm incredibly excited about it. I don't want to give the impression that I'm not, and I know that that's probably the impression I've been giving lately---what with all the whine, whine, whine. I feel ungrateful.I've said it before, and I'll say it again: like many others going through this process, I started out feeling like my

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-35007250007551986882009-02-28T13:28:00.024-07:002009-03-10T20:33:52.786-07:00

I just got my UMass Amherst rejection in the mail, finally. I knew it was coming, but some crazy part of me was hoping I might be on a secret waitlist.I have to admit that this one hurts a little, maybe a lot---even though I know I'm really lucky to have an acceptance to an incredible program at this point. I've been preparing myself for this (see below), but I'm still kind of on the verge of

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-45953792401517330542009-02-26T15:54:00.001-07:002009-02-26T15:58:27.510-07:00

Another Michener rejectee here (fiction, today after work, through the application status check website).It's my first official rejection, but definitely not a surprise. It's like the Queen of England wrote me a note saying "Sorry, but it turns out you're not next in line for the crown."Oh, okay. It was silly of me to ask.

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-51297745977926843392009-02-24T20:53:00.004-07:002009-04-21T19:17:45.101-07:00

Got job. Dead tired.

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-24495108397330164672009-02-22T15:08:00.017-07:002009-02-22T15:48:57.432-07:00

A lot of good stuff on PBS World today! I should be doing my homework for fiction tomorrow, but these shows keep pulling me back in.I have to leave the house at an ungodly hour tomorrow, ("working interview"), so I need to start trying to sleep around 7 pm. I can't remember the last time I went to bed so early.*Recommended Viewing!From the PBS Independent Lens website: In the 1920s, Zulu singer

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-12192072360545387112009-02-21T10:34:00.002-07:002009-02-21T19:01:54.386-07:00

I will pay you to call me at 4:30 in the morning.I guess I'm kidding. But I might have to ask my mom to do it.

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-35203606644238345902009-02-20T09:26:00.013-07:002009-02-20T20:52:26.034-07:00

It was from a job, and I couldn't be happier.I felt like (warning, this is just hyperbole, the following did not happen) Cornell called me and then I saw Rutgers' number on call waiting.The funny thing is that I woke up early this morning to get ready to go out and apply to a couple new leads I found yesterday. So now I'm up early, with a whole day to figure out what to do with.It's a good thing

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-39619954806992823932009-02-19T16:37:00.022-07:002009-03-01T10:58:00.803-07:00

It stings a bit.I honestly don't feel hurt about not getting into Michigan, and I won't feel hurt when I get the rejection letter that I'm expecting from Cornell. A little bit jealous, yes, in a harmless way. But I never had high hopes about my chances at those programs, so it's not that much of a blow.---Also, I was feeling kind of ambivalent about 2 year MFAs, given the current state of the

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-75534338472564086262009-02-19T00:31:00.005-07:002009-03-22T13:13:02.703-07:00

Obama was in Phoenix today. So close and yet so far away---especially since I don't drive.Dobson High, I'm jealous.

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-67091572047821970392009-02-18T22:32:00.045-07:002009-09-29T18:24:49.814-07:00

In case anyone out there is applying to the MFA @ Arizona, here's my take on the school and the town. I just finished my undergrad here, and I've lived in Tucson for about 3 1/2 years now. Personally, I'm ready to go---I can't wait to move eastwards again. But you can definitely enjoy yourself here if you put your mind to it. And it's a great school.Adapted from something I posted to the "

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-90882863075836796062009-02-18T15:37:00.017-07:002009-02-21T14:19:36.707-07:00

Holy macaroni, ask for a flood and you'll get it! Amherst and Michigan (I applied to both for fiction) notified today. Ahh well...Iowa also notified at least one person (I didn't apply there).The big excitement for me is that Minnesota notified more people today. I can't wait to bounce my brain off of other people's brains. Congratulations, MN folks!Congrats to all acceptances, new and old---and

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-9106319936286307012009-02-17T18:03:00.025-07:002009-02-19T00:21:49.576-07:00

Both UMass Amherst and U Florida notified poetry people today (well, at least one poet each). Cornell notified at least one fiction writer on Friday.It's pretty exciting. Maybe this means the big rush is coming soon soon soon? Every morning (well, afternoon) I wake up thinking This is going to be the day. Everyone is going to notify everyone today. I'm always wrong. It's so disappointing to find

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-75418426081909928062009-02-16T14:02:00.022-07:002009-02-20T14:16:21.937-07:00

I have to give a presentation on "authenticating details" today. It's an assignment for my community college fiction workshop. It's just beginner's stuff, because it's really an introductory level class. But it's keeping me honest, and I have plenty to learn. Plus, this kind of thing is probably good practice, considering I'll be teaching sometime soonish! I can hardly believe it, me---teaching.

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-51284176757697040422009-02-15T19:48:00.018-07:002009-02-16T00:41:17.977-07:00

I went to a potluck run by scientists, a couple of weeks ago. It was a Chinese New Year celebration, and I had a good time. I tried this incredibly strong rice wine or liquor---I took one shot and spent the rest of the evening making strange little wheezing noises. I tried some warm pinkish-purple rice wine, and that had a much less violent effect on my esophagus. But it was still pretty damned

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-41524585440914358262009-02-14T00:31:00.045-07:002009-02-17T18:00:48.444-07:00

* Watch out for spoilers! *I definitely don't want to ruin this book for anyone---I'm only about halfway through it myself. I'll try not to give away any major plot points, but if you're like me and you like to come to a book with a clean slate when you can, you might want to skip this post.Tayari Jones (I encourage you to check out her blog) is on the fiction faculty at the Rutgers-Newark MFA

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-55998726759741328022009-02-13T00:00:00.023-07:002009-05-29T18:48:24.236-07:00

I'm taking a short story workshop at my local community college. Since I made the mistake of graduating from Local University in December (why, why, why?!) I have months and months to kill before starting an MFA this fall. I want to bring some new stories with me, and I want to make sure I stay in practice. Also, I'm switching my focus from creative nonfiction (undergrad) to fiction (grad), so a

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-65423547779815093852009-02-11T22:49:00.005-07:002009-02-12T15:45:12.782-07:00

Every time I check the boards, and there are no new posts to read, part of me feels like screaming. I'll lose all respect for myself if I don't find a job soon. This just isn't healthy! I'm trying to quit smoking again, too. (Umm, gradually, but I'm down to no more than 2 or 3 a day). I have a BA and Wendy's won't hire me. None of this is helping. Must...stop hitting...refresh.

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-26082040231813690892009-02-11T21:35:00.008-07:002009-02-20T14:46:35.566-07:00

So I made a crazy list of all the area codes from the programs I've applied to. When my first acceptance call came in, 10:30 am, I was sleeping. At first I just let it ring, but instead of leaving a message, whoever it was just called right back. So I'm thinking, Ugh, fine! I'll pick it up. I didn't recognize the area code. Usually that means it's a telemarketer, telling me it's time to "renew"

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-50996750704627508262009-02-11T02:44:00.002-07:002009-02-20T14:29:23.485-07:00

She got into the S. Mississippi PhD program in fiction. She found out the other day. I'm so proud of her! I know she'll have even more good news coming in soon.

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-56822523095689382262009-02-11T01:37:00.003-07:002009-06-27T20:29:19.276-07:00

So I made this list a while back, of books from all the faculty authors at the programs I've applied to. It's definitely not exhaustive, and for the most part I tried to focus on short stories---it's a long list! Basically I just wanted to have something with me to take to the library, to make sure I could find at least one book by each author. I'm embarrassed to say this, but I just recently

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6176636023479718602.post-33134179214574670922009-02-11T00:59:00.000-07:002009-02-11T22:12:38.433-07:00

I'm starting this blog pretty late in the season here, but I figure it's a time worth recording. I had no idea what I was getting into when I started all of this---it's an utterly life-consuming process!My sleeping schedule is completely disjointed, and my MFA-related distraction is probably getting in the way of my (increasingly urgent) job hunting. I wake up thinking about faculties, and fall

wahidahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08294461043637390168noreply@blogger.com2