August News and Announcements
August 6, 2008 · Written by Melissa Donovan
Everyone keeps saying it’s almost fall and I’m like, “Summer JUST started!” The truth is we’re not even halfway through the summer season even though school’s about to begin in just a few days. I think that’s why some folks are confused. There was a time when the new school year coincided with the beginning of fall but these days, kids are back in the classroom long before summer’s end.
Welcome to Writing Forward
There have been a lot of new faces in the comments sections the past few weeks and I’ve also noticed a spike in subscribers, so I just want to jump up and down, wave, and welcome all the newcomers. If only we could meet in person, I’d give you all a proper aloha by kissing your cheeks and giving you a good lei.
photo credit: JPhilipson
Get Ready to Slam
Slam poetry is the perfect topic for this month because we are going to roll through a hectic August into a very busy September. If all goes well, I should be enrolled in a dance class within a week. I’m getting a little old for dancing on tables and bars, so I think it’s best I get myself into a studio. I’m also working on the relaunch for my writing services site and before September’s end, I will be an aunt, which is most exciting of all.
The fast pace and heightened emotions of slam poetry fit well with all the craziness. We’ll look at a few super talented slam artists and get to know the history of slam poetry, plus I’ll tell you about some killer resources so you can keep on slammin’ long after August is over.
Be Hot
Enjoy the heat everyone because believe me, before we know it, we’ll all be grumbling about the cold. You won’t catch me complaining; this summer hasn’t been anywhere near as hot as I like (at least not so far). I’m a big fan of warm summer nights and those have been few and far between this year. Maybe things will heat up in August — in a good way of course.
photo credit: dsjeffries
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Hmm, we can’t get to Fall too early for me! I’m grateful not to be suffering from triple-digit heat, but I absolutely hate hot weather. Especially hot, humid weather. Besides, I want to be able to wear my handknits again, and wool in August? Not really amenable.
Oh, and I never complain about the cold because I reserve the right to complain about the heat. My feeling is that you can complain about one or the other, but not both (with an exception for extremes like sub-zero arctic days or triple-digit heat waves).
Thanks for the warm welcome. Looking forward to finding out more about slam poetry. Never heard of it before.
Enjoy the dance class. I joined a belly dancing class a while back and loved it! BTW, I’m lovin the heat! Summer is moving way to fast for my liking.
Davinas last blog post..Look Ma, I Can Fly!
I don’t think I’ll be too much into the slam poetry. Still, you always have several other topics to mix things up and I’ll look forward to those. Besides, I’m behind on past writing prompts.
Ooh, a dance class? What type of dance?
Can we expect to see Zoe back around anytime soon?
Allisons last blog post..Seto Japanese Cuisine
Melissa, I really enjoyed the journaling and can’t believe it’s already August! Like you, I feel like summer is just getting started. Too bad for the kids, but hey more beach and pool time for me! LOL! I am totally looking forward to slam poetry month - whoo hoo! Bring it on! Happy August!
Karen Swims last blog post..The Deal is in the Details
@Deb (Punctuality), Fall is actually my favorite season, but don’t tell winter, summer, or spring
That’s so funny! I feel the same way - complain about the cold or the heat but not both! I complain about the cold. I like to be nice and cozy.
@Davina, Slam poetry is a lot of fun. Sometimes I think some clever poet invented it just to draw the crowds who say poetry is all fluff and nonsense. I haven’t taken belly dancing yet but that would be fun. I did have a girl in my last hip hop class who was a belly dancing teacher. Very cool!
@Deb (gscottage), Oh, I’ll find something for you! And yes, there will be other topics mixed in as well. You can count on that
@Allison, You know what? I haven’t even logged in to ER since my computer crashed. I keep trying to get to it and yesterday I finally added it as a task on my to do list. Boy, I’m going to have a lot of reading to do over there. Yes, Zoe will be back, just not sure when.
As for dance, I am thinking about taking jazz. If not, then hip hop (which I love). I’m waiting for the schedule to arrive in the mail so I can see what they’re offering this year and when. I’ll let you know…
@Karen, I enjoyed journaling too and am somewhat annoyed the computer crash interrupted the month. Well, we can always revisit journaling later. Slam’s going to be a blast (I think). I can get really excited about any topic that involves poetry!
Yay, August! Winter is rapidly approaching. Like Deb (Punctuality Deb, that is) I hate hot weather. I utterly despise it if I can’t wear a coat. But unlike Deb, I DO love arctic cold. I’ve always thought I should move to Alaska or something
I’m glad to see you’re going to be covering some slam poetry. I’ve always been an avid fan of poetry, and I find slam poetry to be a very interesting outlet for it. If I were in an area that, like most major cities, had coffee shops where one could go listen to slam poetry, I would most definitely be there! It’s usually such raw emotion (probably a turn-off for a lot of academics).
Looking forward to the upcoming months!
Hi Melissa: In Panama it’s hot all-year-round, so I don’t have to worry about it getting cold (although I do love the leaves on the trees turning yellow and red, and snow). I don’t know what slam poetry is, but I look forward to finding out here in your blog.
Marelisas last blog post..How to Be Happy
I have a maple tree by the side of my house. It’s a bit stressed out (not enough water) and some of the leaves have been turning RED as of the last week of July.
ARGHHH. I don’t wanna think about fall, I don’t wanna, I don’t wanna. Not just yet.
We still haven’t had much of a summer. Rain. Rain. Rain. In fact the next few days are only going to be 68-72F (…THIS is AUGUST?).
(And it was only three months ago that you could still find patches of snow still in the woods).
Welcome to Canada.
Sometimes I wonder why I live here (Sigh).
Friars last blog post..Friar’s Random Rants (Part III)
There will be the point, say 63 years old, when dancing on the bars becomes super cool again, like, “Rad, look at that old lady on the bar!” ;-0} I will be there for your glorious revival.
Beautiful images.
Hot hot hot down in Southern California. Am sitting in panties and tube top at the moment, melting like a burning candle.
Jaden @ Screenwriting for Hollywoods last blog post..Write a Screenplay in One Month: Week One
We’ve missed you, but don’t worry, you’ve only missed a day at most on ER.
Jazz is so much fun! Hip-hop too… I took my first hip-hop class in years a few weeks ago and nearly died, but it was tons of fun. (I’m not so good at hip-hop… too much of a ballerina.)
Allisons last blog post..Seto Japanese Cuisine
@Nathan, No poet-packed coffee shops where you live? Hmm, I think they even have those in Alaska
Even though winter has some redeeming qualities (like the holidays), I prefer being able to wear tank tops and go without shoes. I live in California and even though they say it’s warm here, I bundle up pretty good during those cold months. Brr.
@Marelisa, I wouldn’t mind living somewhere that had heat and sun year round. That sounds nice. I would miss autumn though. Stay tuned for slam poetry, it’s a whole lot of fun
@Friar, Red leaves already? I can’t help feeling like summer hasn’t even really started yet. We had a few really hot days in May and June but it’s been relatively cool since then. Too close to the ocean perhaps…
@Jaden, Until it becomes cool again, I’ll just have to doll up and try to look like I’m still in my 20s
Hey, I can pull it off (so can you!). Definitely not hot here. Grr.
@Allison, Have you ever seen the movie “Save the Last Dance?” The film is super cheesy but there’s an incredible dance scene where the main character is trying out for Juliard and does this hip hop / ballet dance, which is amazing! The connection between hip hop and ballet? Why, attitude of course.
@Melissa,
Haha, another reason I should move there! I’m afraid that here in the mid-west, there’s a fear of creative activities such as writing or reciting poetry. It encourages change. It threatens Republicans. And here, Republicans rule (sadly).
Ah, a Californian! No wonder you love the heat and refuse the dark side
I’ve visited San Francisco, but the whole time I felt as if I’d melt if I ventured outside. Your state has wonderful vineyards and wineries, though! Props to that!
Melissa,
Hey, stopped by for my lei! Love the picture.
It’s been hot in Michigan, too.
@Nathan - I’m as far from a Republican as you can get, my Midwestern friend. I do hear ya though, it is rather conservative up here. I think it has something to do with the farmers. Non organic.
Ellen Wilsons last blog post..Inner and Outer Authority
I’ve never done a poetry slam, nor have I been to one. I feel I’m highly poetic and I improvise on stage fairly well… but the 2 together? Almost sounds like battle to me which I’m too intimidated to even try. (What a chicken, shameful, I know.)
As for the seasonal times, I’m enjoying the heat as long as I have the A/C to keep it balanced. I have no clue why they keep starting school earlier and earlier. Poor kids.
@Nathan, Even though I live in Cali, I’m surrounded by quite a few Republicans who happen to be members of my family. I’m not sure how I ended up on the other side of the fence though at least one of them blames it on the “liberal California school system.” Ha! I’m actually sort of in the middle of the two parties, at least on some issues. Anyway, I love this state. Those vineyards and wineries you mention, they’re just up the road from where I live
@Ellen, Leis for everyone! I’ve heard that liberal-minded people tend to conglomerate on the coasts with the traditional conservatives populating middle America. I guess that makes sense because the coasts are entry points for immigrants and a lot of diversity seems linked somehow to liberal thinking. Politics are pretty interesting, especially this year.
@t. sterling, I’ve never been to a poetry slam either(I’ve been to regular readings though), but I have listened to a lot of recorded pieces and this month, I’ll be watching some as well (so I can report to you guys). It almost seems treacherous to say, but I’d really rather listen to a slam poet than read a book of poetry. It’s just so much more lively.
@Melissa,
Argh! I’m extremely jealous! All the wineries we have around here are elderberry (not very good at all!). Send me a good vintage
@Nathan, I have to confess that even though I live a hop, skip, and jump from wine country, I know very little about wine. I do like it but I’m not very knowledgeable. What’s wrong with elderberry? It sounds pretty good!