TMR and other stuff

On June 1st, I announced that The Modern Review had released their July 2006 issue. See, The Modern Review and I have a history of sorts, a friendship if you will. I submit, they reject. I'm bound and determined to get in, and they insist on holding me to their high standards. Eventually, I will write something again, something that doesn't make me cringe, and then I will submit again, in hopes that they, too, don't cringe.

Seriously, they're good people, their rejections came with very thoughtful and helpful suggestions - no snootiness, not even a hint. Their attitude convinced me to subscribe the first time, and I was more than a little disappointed that I couldn't afford to renew my subscription when I saw that the July issue was available.

In the last couple of days (oy I'm losing my mind, the days all run together and I'm not sure whether it was Friday or yesterday! Thank you insomnia!) I got a surprise delivery... The July 2006 issue of The Modern Review! Needless to say, I was thrilled to get it, and even more so now that I've begun to read it. It begins with an editorial letter that discusses friendliness, and how it differs from niceness, and how that pertains to poetry. I couldn't help but laugh while reading it, simply because it's so honest. There's also an interview with Robert Kelly that has kept me reading. I'm not generally the interview type but the questions are well chosen, and the answers, well, it is Robert Kelly! I always enjoy The Modern Review. It really is high quality.

Of course, me being me, I decided to email the editor and thank him for the surprise gift. I figured it was the least I could do, right? He emailed back, very concerned about this "expired subscription" issue, because I'd bought a one year subscription, 4 issues... and my subscription doesn't run out until September. Apparently, with all I've been dealing with, I'd lost track of time or, maybe I'd lost track of my one final brain cell. Like I said to him, I just can't pass up the opportunity to embarrass myself and solidify in peoples' minds just what a goofball I actually am. It's ok though, I embrace my mental incapacity, really I do.

So.

Thanks to a discussion I had in someone else's comment box, my husband's new nickname is "Bush-Hog." I'll say no more, let your minds wander where they will.

It's raining here. Lots of rain, all day greyness and sleepiness and the slushing of wet tires on asphalt. It's expected to last a couple of days, thanks to the Alberto's outer bands. I am as happy as I can be about that, what with all the kids out of school for the summer, and my husband unable to work in the rain. I adore rain, but this house seems awfully small, and my nerves a bit jagged, already.

Poetry. I'm going to write some. Soon. Really. Look, humor me OK? I've been staring at this 3 line sequence for days, and I just can't do anything with it. I'm having metaphor issues. I like them pure, these want to mix. For all the motherly advice I'm offering it, it has decided to be a rebellious bastard step-child of a poem.

The internet is about to go to hell. In case you haven't been keeping up. Net neutrality just went the way of the wind. I am anxious to see how it all works out, how badly it will affect the web in the end. Fucking net-nazis and greedy bureaucrats (yes, I had to look that up to spell it right, OK!?)

The mail lady took those fundraising letters today, obviously, that is her job... I'm anxious to find out what sort of response (if any) I get. Now I'm debating with myself as to whether to send one to Dr. Watts or not. He did say that if there was anything he could do for me personally, that he'd be honored. It would actually mean a LOT to me to see his name on Nova's donation board. Maybe Dr. Bensky too? I don't know, am I being obnoxious to even consider it? Seriously, I want your honest opinion... I mean, I've only gotten $1295 by asking and I know that I'll have to continue to do so, but is that over the line? Is it asking too much, or giving them the opportunity... Ugh. I hate it when I get wishy-washy.