I Bid You Adieu

It is hard to believe that this moment has come. How did the month go by so quickly? From the very first post I knew that sooner or later I would have to surrender the controls to the May flowers crowd, and now the time is here. This is my last post at A Month In My Life.

Coming soon: Chantell Smith.

Chantell is no stranger to Ninety and Nine, having posted many articles over the years. I know that I am leaving all of you wonderful readers in good hands with Chantell.

The month of April has been a great ride. I've thoroughly enjoyed our time together, and I hope that you have too!

The good news is that although I'm leaving A Month in My Life, I will soon re-surface over at a brand new The Benchwarmer(s) blog, joining Denelle and Bradley. The Benchwarmer(s) is soon to get a face lift, and the three merry bloggers will be bringing you the best of the best.

What does that mean, you ask? Check back soon and often to find out more!

Till then, Godspeed to you all.

David

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!

Challenge Course

Yesterday afternoon my company sent my department to the brand new LSU Challenge Course for a half day Team Building exercise. The course consists of elements which range from balancing a team of people on low rise cables to climbing to the top of a twenty feet high catwalk and walking across while holding on to nothing! It was one part Extreme Sports and one part Fear Factor, but let me tell you it was also 100% pure fun!

There was this one element in which I climbed to the top of a 25 feet high telephone pole and balanced on the top like this:

note these pictures are the promotional photos of from the official website. this is not me. there is supposedly a picture of me performing this feat, but i will not have it until early next week for reasons you do not care about. since i will not be blogging here by that time, i hope to post my picture on the benchwarmer(s) blog.



Then jumping to a suspended "trapeze" like this:
this is not me-see above



this is not me-see above



I grabbed the trapeze. However, my upper body strength was inadequate to hold my body weight and when that weight followed me thru on my jump, I was knocked from the trapeze. We had double safety harnesses on so I was caught by those, and lowered down gently by the instructor who was standing on the ground.

I can't tell you how cool this was. About half way up the pole, everything in me wanted to quit. Then when I got to the top, it took all the concentration, will power, and pep talk I had to get first one foot, then another to let go of the climbing rungs and balance on a 6-8 inch diameter pole, 25 feet in the air!

How does this build team work you ask? The answer is, I would never have done it without the shouts of encouragement from those teammates standing on the ground below.

And, you would be surprised at how it makes you feel when you've done something that everything within you told you that you should not and could not do. On the other side of completing it, you not only have an extreme rush, but you also have boosted self confidence.

If you ever have a chance to do one of these type challenge courses, don't miss it.

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!

Salman Rushdie - kdc

I doubt I’ll do this one justice, but here goes…

Rushdie’s lecture was, by far, the best attended at the Festival. There was a visible, though low-key, security presence there, checking bags at the doors, and standing at key points in the Field House.

He seemed nervous at first, whether it be in giving the speech or in being in a crowd of Christians, wasn’t obvious. I’m guessing his interaction with true Christians has been limited, thus the thought of a crowd full of cartoonish fundamentalists must have been in the back of his mind. Once everyone began laughing at the appropriate parts, he loosened up and flowed from there.

ATHEIST TRUE AND THROUGH
It was early on that he announced himself as a “dreadful old atheist” and made his case for disbelieving in God. He outlined a case of science and evolution, being repulsed at 14 by an hideous chapel at his British school (that made him think, “What kind of God lives in an ugly house like that?”), how any religious group that seems to take government control soon begins killing those who refuse their beliefs, and what Muslims and Hindus did in the name of God (kill each other in the thousands) as the nation-state of India was formed, among other things.

Between the lecture and the interview, I don’t believe he once used the word “faith,” so his experience with God is obviously limited. That said, I realized I have no vocabulary to reach someone like him. Christians simplistically - and correctly -­ say “those are false belief systems,” and believe that the god they kill each other for is a false god and that’s it. That explanation doesn’t help us reach Asians (and others) for Jesus because a basic conversation is so difficult.

TOUGH CONNECTION
Rushdie doesn’t see the difference between the god each religion claims. They’re just various monolithic belief systems with often unsavory actions claimed in their name.

The next day’s interviewer pointed out those without religion have killed more people last century (think: Hitler, Mao, Stalin, and Pol Pot), than every religion has killed in 2,000+ years. Rushdie conceded the point, stated it was due to technology and laid emphasis on the extended period of religious killings over the amount of bodies accumulated.

It was all polite disagreement, with plenty of literary discussion in the main. He read from Midnight’s Children, and discussed writing, literature, and a shot at immortality.

STRAY FACTOIDS & QUOTES
* I was intrigued that Marilynne Robinson’s interview (on Friday) was better attended than Rushdie’s (on Saturday), as Rushdie’s lecture (on Friday) was at least a third larger than Robinson’s (on Saturday). One knowledgeable source said the lower attendance during the interview was probably due to the disappointment of the lecture (I presume she meant his immovable atheism.)

* “I’m so puzzled I’ve never written a play.”

* Because he was promoting his latest novel last fall, he was unable to participate in a movie with the working title of “Untitled Will Farrel Movie.” He was to be 1 of about 5 “unlikely” NASCAR drivers.

* Rushdie actually appears more Caucasian than Asian Indian.

* He insisted there was no spiritual dimension to his work.

* The word “Spiritual” should be put to rest for 50-60 years since it’s overused to the point of meaninglessness. It got to that confused state “thanks to California.”

* Advice for young writers? Write a book you can’t avoid writing. “Write necessary books” not for the world, but for the writer and let the world decide (on its value).

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!

Three Poems for National Poetry Month

Here's one about Spring from e e cummings.

Spring is like a perhaps hand

Spring is like a perhaps hand
(which comes carefully
out of Nowhere) arranging
a window,into which people look(while
people stare
arranging and changing placing
carefully there a strange
thing and a known thing here) and

changing everything carefully

spring is like a perhaps
Hand in a window
(carefully to
and fro moving New and
Old things,while
people stare carefully
moving a perhaps
fraction of flower here placing
an inch of air there) and

without breaking anything.

And and a poem by poet/musician Kevin Max.

Highway 11

Blue
Mountain
suck me in
down to the river
inside the rim
found a ring
with some ancient writing
put it on
and now i am blinded
but the trollunder the bridge
told me to keep it
told me while itching its skin
'come visit us again'

i was born the son
of a wayward viking
split the skulls
and spit a likeness of me
out the chute
i was born
then dropped off
by a curious groupie
from a boarding school
like a wolf
with a chipped tooth
snowhite skin
and cowboy boots
i was picked up
by the midwest
wrapped in a church vest
and taught the rest
the blood and the gospel
the word and the Meat.

i was born again.

but still, the call of the wild
and the thunder of battle drums
out in the woods
and the dark tangled trees.
Celtic Creed.

And, since you've all begged, cheered and embarassed my by your demands, here's one from your blogging April poet.

Essence of Art: To Ireland

imagine
a minstrel's song
a poet's verse
an artist's hues
a writer's curse

then ignite
to more meaningful muse
or more artistic views

or explode
to desecrated
elements
of
nothing

another child's churlish laugh
another bomb brushed street

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!

April Is National Poetry Month

I mentioned to you in my first blog that April is National Poetry Month. Since poetry is one of my favorite topics, I have purposely waited to talk about National Poetry Month, savoring it as something we could look forward to together. Now, the month has almost passed us by. So today, without any further ado, let us talk poetry.

Poets.org is the place to visit for all things National Poetry Month. I'm quite impressed with the website design, its ease of reference, and all of the great things found there. You can search by poem, poet, movement, etc. There are t-shirts and posters. There is much to be excited by.

They also answer frequently asked questions, and one I bet you have is "why April"?

Why was April chosen for National Poetry Month?
With input from booksellers,librarians, poets, and teachers, the Academy chose a month during the school year so that schools and students could participate fully. February is Black History Month and March is Women's History Month, so April seemed a logical choice. Also, there are many wonderful poetic references to April:

T. S. Eliot wrote, "April is the cruelest month." It is our hope that National Poetry Month lessens that effect.

On a lighter note, Chaucer wrote:

Whan that April with his showres soote
The droughte of March hath perced to the roote,
And bathed every veine in swich licour,
Of which vertu engendred is the flowr

Finally, Edna St. Vincent Millay asked, "To what purpose, April, do you return again?" For National Poetry Month, of course!

For your reading convenience, I'm going to share three poems in celebration of National Poetry Month: a classic author, a newer author, and me! Since this is a longer blog and the poems will also use lots of blog space, it will be easier on your poetry eyes if I post separately.

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!

Plagarism?

Check out this young author from Harvard who "plagarized".

A Harvard University sophomore with a highly publicized first novel acknowledged Monday that she had borrowed material, accidentally, from another author's work and promised to change her book for future editions.

Kaavya Viswanathan's "How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild, and Got a Life," published in March by Little, Brown and Company, was the first of a two-book deal reportedly worth six figures. But on Sunday, the Harvard Crimson cited seven passages in Viswanathan's book that closely resemble the style and language of the novels of Megan McCafferty.

"When I was in high school, I read and loved two wonderful novels by Megan McCafferty, `Sloppy Firsts' and `Second Helpings,' which spoke to me in a way few other books did. Recently, I was very surprised and upset to learn that there are similarities between some passages in my novel ... and passages in these books," Viswanathan, 19, said in a statement issued by her publisher.

This is the same reason why I could never write a song. I'm okay writing words, but an original melody will not come to me. I've got way too many songs bouncing around in my head. Any song I wrote would resemble something already done.

There was a 100,000 copy first printing of her book. As the publisher is going to issue a new edition omitting the questionable passages, and as there is a movie deal in the works, my advice is to try to snatch up one of those 100,000. Maybe one day they will be considered collectors items.

"Every word in that book was written by her, for better or for worse," he said, adding that work on a new edition would begin "tomorrow."
Viswanathan, who was 17 when she signed her contract with Little, Brown, is the youngest author signed by the publisher in decades. DreamWorks has already acquired the movie rights to her first book.

So the question is: is this really plagarism? I guess it really depends on how "closely" the passages resemble the prior works. But aren't all writers influenced by something or someone?

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!

Follow Up On Kent's Journey

Kent Curry blogged live last week from the Festival of Faith and Writing (scroll down to read) and what a great job he did! Thanks for taking all of us with you via the blog. I found your experiences to be very interesting and thought provoking. I couldn't resist responding to a few of your points.

---Everything Michael Card does is memorable and haunting. Thanks for reminding me that one day I still need to read Scribbling in the Sand.

---I too am behind the curve on Blue Like Jazz, but it is on my list of books to read by years' end. Let me know how you like it.

---How about a pic of your Salman Rushdie autographed Satanic Verses? We want to see!

---I had the opportunity to hear Dekker speak about a year and a half ago at Catalyst in Atlanta. To this day I haven't figured out what he was talking about or what it was he was trying to say. Is his writing any better than his speaking? (I've never read any of his work).

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!

Devotion: Week Four

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Phil 1:6

Sometimes we forget that we are works in progress. Often, it feels like God fills us up with dreams and motivations for doing great things for Him, but then they seemingly never meet with reality.

Could it be that we overlook the fact that we have to grow into those callings?

As much as I would love for my 3-month-old son to go outside and shoot hoops with me, he simply is not physically ready to do that yet. A couple of years down the road, he will have the desire to go out and shoot hoops with Pop, but he won't be able to do much in the way of a slam-dunk. However, in about 15 years, as he grows, matures, and practices his skills, we will have many days of one on one fun out on the basketball court.

God often looks at us in the same way. He has things that He wants us to accomplish. In a lot of cases, he has let us in on those desires that He has for us. But right now we may find ourselves in a time in which He is watching and waiting for us to develop into the full maturity needed to accomplish these dreams.

And according to Philippians 1:6 the good news is that if He started it, He'll finish it!

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!

Festival Pictures: Walter Wangerin, Jr.

Wangerin (author of Paul: A Novel and the National Book Award Winning Book of the Dun Cow) shared a mesmerizing sermon / keynote lecture to close out the festival Saturday night (April 22, 2006) on "Voice(s) in the Wilderness." He spoke compellingly and without notes on the necessity of writers being the essential voice of truth to unknown others, using numerous personal, heartrending examples to seal that importance. He was the only key noter to receive a standing ovation.

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!

Festival Pictures: Authors

Poet Scott Cairns, novelist Alice McDermott (Charming Billy), and short story writer Charles D'Ambrosio all had readings and/or shared panels and/or gave keynote addresses. All were accessible afterwards for conversation.

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!

Festival Pictures: Marilynne Robinson

Robinson (author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Gilead and the National Book Award nominee Housekeeping) is an American original. (Just check out her answer to Amazon here.)

One festival-goer called her interview answers "uncalculating;" to me. She stated her grandfather was a hermit (in Idaho, I believe) and so is she, but in her case she has hid away from modern media. She seems completely untutored by television (Her head always leaned to the right, her answers were filled with pauses and big words, her tone of voice rarely changed, and her facial expression was of constant thoughtfulness.) - & what a shock of fresh air that is. Everything she said was learned and fascinating.

An avid Calvinist, she actively incorporates her faith into everything she writes. If you're not into fiction, check out her essay collection The Death of Adam. You'll have a lot to chew on.

(Andy Crouch, who did a good job but ran out of gas at the end, was the interviewer.)

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!