Interview Sarah Palin

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Debatable

The debate last night was just dreary...but I think that's because I watched MSNBC and they kept a pretty consistent split-screen, so my eyes were constantly tracking left to watch John McCain's petulance when he wasn't talking.

Highlights: my mother repeatedly shouting some version of "you old asshole" at the telly. She also perked up when Lehrer asked about Russia, then started going off about Putin rearing into Alaskan air space. She is truly angry at her party.

I might have to get her a helmet for the veep debate. She could do herself a caution.

God.

From The Smoking Gun:

Cop Hit In Gas Attack
West Virginia DUI arrestee charged with farting in officer's face

Zut Alors!

The book-keeper and general problem-solver/go-to person is out today with a migraine. I'm myself and her today. I do not like this. Not a whit.

~*~

I'm awfully impressed with Warren Wilson's speed in getting out information, forms and such; especially in regards to answering emails. They're really on the ball. It makes for a lot of reading (and re-reading) and digesting, but I can't say I've ever had such an experience with any other program or school.

~*~

I've been shopping around for a new car; I've hated it because I'm trying to be practical and thrifty at the same time and that just complicates things.

I've always thought about fuel-efficiency first and looked at just compact/subcompact models, but now trying to find something in my price range, that's not going to jack my insurance rates to the sky, that's got good crash test ratings and AWD AND something at least moderately fuel efficient...well...yes...I've been a little obsessive...and I wonder if Brian regrets having that Consumer Reports as much as I've asked him to look up models over the last few months.

As much as I've loved my little Focus, I need to get something with AWD: I ain't tryin the mountains in January with just front-wheel-drive...that's for suckers.

~*~

Poems out in the mail last week, trying to finish up one more packet this weekend.

Transitional

Usually I'm all ready for the season to shift, for summer to slide into fall and have those few weeks of crisp air and foliage that's almost too perfect. But this year...no. Something resists. I want a few more weeks of summer please. I want to ride out the last few weeks of the lantana and new guinea impatiens being perfect.

~*~

Working on poems this morning, playing with a cento and a piece that I muddled through a Markov generator.

~*~

This friend of the family gave my mother a bushel of tiny white peaches--each one the size of a ping pong ball. They're fantastic: meaty and not too juicy. I'm being drafted to help make preserves later today.

Regular

This article by George Saunders in the New Yorker is just viiiiiicious. And coffee out my nose funny.

WOOT!

Ages ago I made this oblique comment on a post about taking a big step. Well--I took it. And it's official. I'll be a student in Warren Wilson's MFA program. I just got the call a little while ago.
Unreal.

Newness

A new poem. Shan't be here long.

And it wasn't.

Bleg

Could anyone send me a copy of Peter Gizzi's "Ode: Salute to the New York School."

It would be greeeeeeatly appreciated.

SUBMIT

qarrtsiluni is calling for submissions for its next issue: Journaling the Apocalypse. More deets here.

Blargh

Drizzly today and chilly-ish. The sort of day that's perfect for napping and reading and lounging with coffee. I at least have coffee. On the up-side, I get to use a pressure washer later today. My inner butch is singing.

~*~

I've been revising and rethinking old and newer poems like crazy since I got back from LA...well once the jet lag and exhaustion lifted. It's been a much different process...for the first time in years revising has been as pleasurable as writing the first draft of something. Plus I've started a few new drafts.

ZESTY!!!

Burglar wakes men with spice rub, sausage attack

The victims told deputies they awoke Saturday morning to the stranger applying
spices to one of them and striking the other with an 8-inch sausage.
Burrimond said money allegedly stolen in the burglary was recovered. The
sausage was tossed away by the fleeing suspect and eaten by a dog.

When my boss asked me if I'd heard this I thought she was lying. Sadly, no.

Wordle, yo

Deviance. Lots and lots of deviance. And texture.

Why I Love My Mother

Following last night's frightening GOP speeches and this morning's inane cable-news coverage, my mom weighs in Sarah Palin:

"So what, she's had five kids. She's a baby factory. How does that make her fit to be vice-president. I know lots of women who are baby factories--I wouldn't want them anywhere near the White House. And one has Down Syndrome? She chose to have it. Who cares?

"She put the Alaska Governor's plane up on E-Bay? Well whoopty shit."

I should take a moment to point out: my mother is almost 70, methodist, and has never voted for a democratic presidential candidate. Until this year.

I have yet to ask her how she feels about field dressing moose.

Labor Day Win

Abstinence Edumication works:

"We have been blessed with five wonderful children who we love with all our
heart and mean everything to us. Our beautiful daughter Bristol came to us with
news that as parents we knew would make her grow up faster than we had ever
planned. We're proud of Bristol's decision to have her baby and even prouder to
become grandparents. As Bristol faces the responsibilities of adulthood, she
knows she has our unconditional love and support."



"Bristol and the young man she will marry are going to realize very quickly
the difficulties of raising a child, which is why they will have the love and
support of our entire family. We ask the media to respect our daughter and
Levi's privacy as has always been the tradition of children of
candidates."