I read it once, and was more impressed than affected by it. After reading it, I went on to begin a biography of Edna St. Vincent Millay, but the characters in this book wouldn’t get out of my brain. By the time Vincent turned 20, I’d put her back on the shelf and started Another Country again. And I’m so glad I did.
It might just be timing, but Baldwin’s characters are so horrifyingly relatable – even to a young Utahan who has one black friend and no real experience with racism. Though Baldwin is known as an “African-American writer,” his work explores so much more, because it isn’t so concerned with race as it is with the genuine (panic-inducing, petrifying) human experience. I knew he was an excellent writer, but with this book I am completely converted. Read it. Please.
The amazing (and great to work with, if you’re looking for a photographer) Randyl Neilson took portraits of several staff members of the UVU Review for an upcoming orientation issue, and I love the photos he took of me and Grady so much, I had to post them here. You can find him on facebook, too.
Obviously an outtake, but I still like it. I’m so happy I had my favorite yarns with me.
The book is James Baldwin‘s Another Country, which I’m reading for a second time. It’s fantastic the second time through.
Oh, I love her smile. She’s such a great 9-month-old.
I’m incredibly awkward in front of a camera – Randyl did a great job with the nervous unweildy poses.
I love this one. If I ever write a mega-pretentious femininist-mysticism-conspiracy-theory book, this will be on the jacket. Or a book about yarn. That’s probably more realistic.
Note: Bubbles taste bad, and they feel weird in your lungs and they make your eyes very … not sad or in pain, just confused.
And a bottle of beer. Sorry mom! (By mom I mean mom/Jennie/Dani.)
On another note, today sucks. Yesterday sucked. Two nights ago sucked. I probably won’t blog about it, because I’d be embarrassed. But will I embroider about it? Of course I will.
I’m actually writing this on Sunday, but who wants two meme posts right in a row? I’ll schedule it for Tuesday. And this time, post your answers in the comments here, or the comments over at Gala’s blog, or on your own blog! I’d love to hear your answers.
Go here to discover the origin of Curious Tuesday.
1. Who is your favourite musician, NOT in terms of talent or aptitude, but based on pure sex appeal?
Do I even need to answer this? David Bowie. Everyone should know that the answer to this question will always be David Bowie.
2. What were some quirks of your past lovers that drove you crazy?
I’m going to use a single answer as a blanket: communication issues. I get the feeling that this will be one of my top 5 interpersonal annoyances for the rest of my life.
3. If there was a movie made about your life, what song would you absolutely INSIST be on the soundtrack?
Soul Love, by David Bowie. Of course. Press play!
4. What is your favourite quote right now?
Well, I’m listening to that song so at this precise moment it’s “All I have is my love of love, and love is not loving.” Aw. Also:
“Olympian gods, mark now my bedside lamp
Blown out; and be advised too late that he
Whom you call sire is stolen into the camp
Of warring Earth, and lies abed with me.
Call out your golden hordes, the harm is done:
Enraptured in his great embrace I lie;
Shake heaven with spears, but I shall bear a son
Branded with godhead, heel and brown and thigh.
Whom think not to bedazzle or confound
With meteoric splendours or display
Of blackened moons or suns in the big sound
Of sudden thunder on a silent day;
Pain and compassion shall he know, being mine,-
Confusion never, that is half divine.”
-Edna St. Vincent Millay (one of the four or five poets that don’t make me feel gross)
Also, there are a bunch in Another Country by James Baldwin, which I am currently reading, that I’d like to share, but alas I have lost the book. When (if) I find it I hope I’ll remember to pass on my favorite words and sentences.
5. Connect up with other nonpareils! Post links to your website, Facebook, Twitter, etc., here!
Um, I’m not going to do this because I am lazy and the baby wants to play. And I’d rather play with my baby than copy and paste a bunch of links.
P.S. Grady is whispering at me right now. And it is freaking adorable.
