[I am certain the past two weeks are the longest hiatus in the history of this Writing Life Blog. I am pleased to report that my MacBook Pro survived minor surgery and safely resides upon my desk once more. Without further a do—back to The Writing Life.]
Before travelling to Alaska I met with some neighbors who had homesteaded in the south-central part of the state for twenty-five years. I read Green Alaska by Nancy Lord, a well-known nonfiction Alaskan writer. I read John McPhee’s opus on the state, ordered maps from National Geographic Trails Illustrated, and surveyed the definitions of eco-specific terms pertinent to Alaska as listed in Home Ground. In short, I prepared.
Getting around by plane, train, car, and foot in Alaska, the background reading I did gave me the most basic facts and words to help me understand my surroundings. The experiences and the people added plot. The writing that carried me for weeks following my return became the essays that helped make meaning of my journey.
In October I began planning for 2010-2011—what I hope will be one to two years on the road travelling from one writing residency to the next across the United States. As I move boxes, haul trash, and deep clean the house on Fork Mountain, I’m laying the foundation for an un-tethered writer’s mind. Everything I need for the next year will fit into my station wagon. Everything else has been sold, donated, or saved is absoluately necessary. (Example of saved items: My grandmother’s chairs, 17 boxes of books, artwork, letters.)
The first stop on my journey will be one week in residency in Seaside, Oregon through Pacific University’s MFA program. As a graduate of the program, I will be able to attend limited readings and lectures in the evenings, socializing after hours with my closest writing friends. Days will be spent reading, writing, and—if I’m lucky—running on the beach.
The purpose of the Oregon residency will not be immersion in the landscape of my upbringing, as that has already been done. The purpose will be to immerse myself in the lore, facts, and history of the upper peninsula of Michigan. Since I will spend 4 ½ months in Interlochen as a Writer-in-Residence this winter. Books have been ordered, maps are in the mail, and I’m rapidly clearing my desk of various other projects so that I may begin this year-on-the-road with the clearest, unfettered intentions.
Here’s to life on the road!
Before travelling to Alaska I met with some neighbors who had homesteaded in the south-central part of the state for twenty-five years. I read Green Alaska by Nancy Lord, a well-known nonfiction Alaskan writer. I read John McPhee’s opus on the state, ordered maps from National Geographic Trails Illustrated, and surveyed the definitions of eco-specific terms pertinent to Alaska as listed in Home Ground. In short, I prepared.
Getting around by plane, train, car, and foot in Alaska, the background reading I did gave me the most basic facts and words to help me understand my surroundings. The experiences and the people added plot. The writing that carried me for weeks following my return became the essays that helped make meaning of my journey.
In October I began planning for 2010-2011—what I hope will be one to two years on the road travelling from one writing residency to the next across the United States. As I move boxes, haul trash, and deep clean the house on Fork Mountain, I’m laying the foundation for an un-tethered writer’s mind. Everything I need for the next year will fit into my station wagon. Everything else has been sold, donated, or saved is absoluately necessary. (Example of saved items: My grandmother’s chairs, 17 boxes of books, artwork, letters.)
The first stop on my journey will be one week in residency in Seaside, Oregon through Pacific University’s MFA program. As a graduate of the program, I will be able to attend limited readings and lectures in the evenings, socializing after hours with my closest writing friends. Days will be spent reading, writing, and—if I’m lucky—running on the beach.
The purpose of the Oregon residency will not be immersion in the landscape of my upbringing, as that has already been done. The purpose will be to immerse myself in the lore, facts, and history of the upper peninsula of Michigan. Since I will spend 4 ½ months in Interlochen as a Writer-in-Residence this winter. Books have been ordered, maps are in the mail, and I’m rapidly clearing my desk of various other projects so that I may begin this year-on-the-road with the clearest, unfettered intentions.
Here’s to life on the road!
For today's post, I refer reader's to my Blogger page (same content as here) because the post is primarily comprised of photos:
http://www.thewritinglife2.blogspot.c
Thanks - and enjoy!
http://www.thewritinglife2.blogspot.c
Thanks - and enjoy!
[Dear Readers: My computer is being repaired so posts might be spotty for the next week...]
Some days I think Hanshi is the best teacher I have ever crossed paths with. Other days, I question if I have given him too much of my trust. But in the two weeks since testing for Sankyu, I tend toward the former.
In the month of December, I have not set foot in the dojo without being asked to perform my newest kata (Tawada No Sai - 85 moves) or work kumite drills with a partner. Reflecting on my test that felt so disappointing at the time, these are the two areas in which I wished to redeem myself the most. Not finding redemption in the test, I felt denied...but that redemption has since been granted.
A wise teacher can withhold things for a certain length of time from student for her own best interest because he has the broader path in mind. An eager student can feel held back or misunderstood if she senses something is being withheld. But whenthat wisdom is understood and that eagerness given the chance to prove itself, the trust between teacher and student deepens.
It is with this trust that I'll enter the "LD Phase" of my training in January. LD, or long distance, will of course come with its own challenges. For now, my goal is straightforward: I have been invited to attend the annual Professional Association of Martial Arts Instructors (PAMAI) conference. This is a black belt conference, brown belt by invitation only. Hanshi has invited me and I have been given permission to miss a weekend at Interlochen to fly to Atlanta to attend.
I'll say goodbye on the 6th, begin my weekly letters to Hanshi that document my training (and ask questions), then reunite with the dojo crew in Atlanta on the 29th. Informally, that will be the first "test" of my dedication to the LD Phase...and to the path of black belt somewhere down the line.
Some days I think Hanshi is the best teacher I have ever crossed paths with. Other days, I question if I have given him too much of my trust. But in the two weeks since testing for Sankyu, I tend toward the former.
In the month of December, I have not set foot in the dojo without being asked to perform my newest kata (Tawada No Sai - 85 moves) or work kumite drills with a partner. Reflecting on my test that felt so disappointing at the time, these are the two areas in which I wished to redeem myself the most. Not finding redemption in the test, I felt denied...but that redemption has since been granted.
A wise teacher can withhold things for a certain length of time from student for her own best interest because he has the broader path in mind. An eager student can feel held back or misunderstood if she senses something is being withheld. But whenthat wisdom is understood and that eagerness given the chance to prove itself, the trust between teacher and student deepens.
It is with this trust that I'll enter the "LD Phase" of my training in January. LD, or long distance, will of course come with its own challenges. For now, my goal is straightforward: I have been invited to attend the annual Professional Association of Martial Arts Instructors (PAMAI) conference. This is a black belt conference, brown belt by invitation only. Hanshi has invited me and I have been given permission to miss a weekend at Interlochen to fly to Atlanta to attend.
I'll say goodbye on the 6th, begin my weekly letters to Hanshi that document my training (and ask questions), then reunite with the dojo crew in Atlanta on the 29th. Informally, that will be the first "test" of my dedication to the LD Phase...and to the path of black belt somewhere down the line.
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