Feeling Uncreative

I am posting this a week after my other mother passed away, and how I was thankful to have this time on Earth with her. She "got me" as a parent, and I realize how much I was shaped by her, too.

However, in this grieving time, I had up times of writing and low times of feeling dull.

I want to remind myself that in the dull times I should be good to myself. I know that these times can be regenerative.

I also know that being bored can lead to creativity.

So this is the reminder. Be good to yourself, and all of those cliches.

Topeka sneaks in

https://lithub.com/is-topeka-the-most-poetic-city-in-america/

Topeka always does, sneaks in, as what else can you write about, as you've been places around the world and know Topeka is in what is not there, you will not find a redneck like the one you find in Topeka, you will not find a misogynist or queerphobic pastor like the one in Topeka, you will not find anything other than Topeka when you are here, and that is not small, there is no truth in the saying "and the truth is" in Topeka, even John Brown, who is that? you might ask, will disagree with every sling you throw at him at the mural in the Capitol Building, that's what John Stuart Curry wanted, for you to remember you might not like how justice needs to succeed, might not like that your talk of staying kind is covered with white lies in a town Dominique White was shot down in.

What it means to me

To have this sabbatical means it will be the first time in my life where I can have time and space for writing without other concerns. To paint a broad picture, I worked full time two days after I turned sixteen until I was almost 35 when I took the leap into grad school. Even then, during those summers and many after, I couldn't write. Summer is an obstacle, as autumn is a ladder over it. Yes, as I love teaching as much as writing, I always put students first as the time and energy for poetry gets placed aside. In other words, to plan and organize for writing as I do every semester for a semester's time is simply thrilling! As many of the community awards I have won is in recognition of poetry as a tool for community building, I am so excited to work within community contexts and spaces to write. Also, to work side-by-side with Barbara Waterman-Peters is a dream come true. I am looking forward to seeing how my work might change, how I may grow as a writer and bring these things into new classes for students. I want to expand in the community, too, as poet and activist. Ultimately, this semester will change my life, and I thank you, Washburn and all, for that.

NOTO Stroll

I am thinking of a psychogeographic stroll through NOTO.

Huscarl

I finally gave the store a shot on Free Comic Book Day and discovered the inside is amazing! The person behind the register was super-friendly and they have photos of "best gamers" on the wall to create a sense of community.

They allow outside drinks. It overall feels like a great business because they want people to feel at home.

http://www.huscarlhobbiesandgames.com/

Not only do my sons want to play Pokemon there, but on Friday evenings around 5:30pm lots of players gather for "open gaming" which means a number of different games going on. I like this spirit!

I also hope to get them into D&D via this amazing intro:

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/files/MS_HeroesHesiod.pdf

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For my project about mythology and toxic masculinity, I plan to sit and write there.