Poem : Woe to the Written Word

Binding wavers and winces when opened,
Pages weeping from its worn cracked center,
Exposing tiny threads holding what,
Remains of its spine to its washed out words,
That were once so bold but now willowy,
Held by these humane hands,
No longer having the backbone to withstand,
All the weighty words it is expected to carry.

Poem : They Don't Answer When I Ring

A doll house with flawless fittings
A miniature imitation of
The residence that houses it

Three dolls are sitting silently
On three separate floors alongside
The heavily curtained windows

Silence violently vibrating
Permeating paper thin walls
A stillness falls around the house

What’s this migrating malady
Spreading between lifeless houses
That makes me walk the other way

The stiff doll house family figures
Identical to their owners
But more alive than I thought

Poem : The Depth

The Depth

Atop this vast frozen pond laying above the deepest depth,

Imprisoned by its cold bond of ice seeping into the flesh.

The wind shows no mercy here drawing away my own air,

From my lungs it disappears leaving me in bitter despair.

The barren trees reach for me but what cover can they provide,

With weather-worn arms empty and wary roots to far astride.

Through its limbs the wind still blows and the curious sun still shines,

Watching the ice as it flows through my veins and from my eyes.

Soon the sun will desert my sight and give way to the winter moon,

And on comes a severe night to bring about my frozen ruin.

Numbness climbs from feet to brow leaving deadness on my face,

But I feel more here and now than I did in your warm embrace.

Book Review: Self-Made Man

"Self-Made Man" by Norah Vincent takes the reader into the secret world of men. Vincent transforms herself into a male alter-ego, Ned, in order to infiltrate various male dominated areas. She uses her disguise to observe the way men communicate with each other and females. Through Ned, she takes the reader on a journey to see the comical friendships of the bowling league, the primal displays at the strip club, and even an insider look at the almost impossible feat of dating (and how impossible women can be!).

Vincent introduces her book not as a scientific study that can be applied to all American men but only her perceptions influenced by what she experienced. Her writing is believable and opens eyes to a world that women have never truly seen. Not only does she introduce a new male perspective but also raises the issue if can be gender defined as social. What is the definition of manliness? Is is defined in DNA or because of what is socially acceptable? This is a very interesting read for how the world sees men and should be read by everyone who questions of the social restriction of gender.

ISBN-13: 9780143038702

Shelf Life rating of: 4

Salem State: Banning Smokers in 2011

The most feared word in a smoker’s vocabulary: smoke-free. Beginning in September 2011, Salem State University is becoming a smoke-free campus. Not only are cigarettes banned, but also chewing AND smokeless tobacco products. Stanley P Cahill, the executive vice president of Salem State, said that the school was “influenced by a survey of attitudes about smoking on campus” (boston.com). Most complaints from students were that they were exposed repetitively to secondhand smoke and were bothered by it. Their complaints of the smoke are understandable but then why are smokeless tobacco products banned? Without smoke, there’s no secondhand. The American Association of Public Heath Physicians supports smokeless tobacco products. In a letter to the FDA, the AAPHP reveals that “It should be possible to save the lives of 4 million or more of the 8 million adult American smokers who will otherwise die of a cigarette-related illness over the next twenty years. This could be done by making smokers aware of selected smokeless tobacco products (including but not limited to snus and electronic cigarettes) that promise to reduce the risk of tobacco-related illness by 99% or better for smokers who are unwilling or unable to quit.”

Being a smoker and a student of Salem State, I am not looking forward to this ban. The first question that came to mind was “Do I have any money to buy the e-cigarettes” but then remembered the ban included smokeless products. The second question was “Do I want to quit” which was answered with a “no.” Students are adults and have the right to smoke. This problem leaves me (and other smokers) with two solutions. I could sneak around campus like a criminal (not preferred) or I could walk off campus lines.

I can see my future very clearly. The snow piles on the ground and the plows create monstrous snow banks. My class has ended and I have fifteen minutes of freedom. I emerge from the building, looking out at the picturesque New England winter scene. I bundle up and make the long pilgrimage beyond school lines. Others join me with the same anticipation; we can almost smell the promise land. We desperately search for the invisible boundary that divides the school from the real world. It is there, we can see it. The minutes are ticking by and we only have moments. We gather in a circle, huddling like lost children, as we light our cigarettes. Our chilled cheeks are greeted by the warmth of lighters and matches. We turn and look back at the school buildings, towering over us, looking down upon us. Why should we feel shame? We are free, we will not quit! We will return to this spot day after day. Smokers will unite and rise above! The Marlboro Martyrs. The Parliament Patriots. The Winston Warriors. We shall stand together...Well, lets not get too carried away.

I suggest a compromise. Is there a way the 25 feet rule can be better enforced? Could there be an area designated for smokers on each campus that is easily accessible and clearly marked? Smokers have to compromise as well. We have to adhere to the rules and remember to be courteous while smoking. Smokers should avoid main traffic areas, especially during those 15 minutes when students are traveling to their next class. Smokers should also throw out the finished cigarette in the trash (there are trash barrels and cigarette receptacles everywhere). There is no reason why smokers and nonsmokers cannot share the same campus in harmony.

Links of interest:
Salem State to ban tobacco on campus
Don't Write Off Current Smokers - AAPHP

Book Review: Holidays on Ice

"Holidays on Ice" by David Sedaris is a hilarious collection of essays about the holiday season. SantaLand Diaries, the first essay, is about David's mirthful experience as an elf (named Crumpet) at Macy's. In a few short pages, David shows the readers how corrupted and unpleasant holidays have become in a laugh at loud way. For instance, when asked by a parent to tell one of the children that if they are bad they will get coal in their stocking, Crumpet aptly replies that "Santa no longer traffics in coal. Instead, if you're bad he comes to your house and steals things." His wit and sharp humor cuts through every page as he not only tells you of his experience but pulls you into it.

This book is a great gift for anyone for the holidays (because who wants another scented candle?). If they aren't readers, get the book on CD. When listened to, it sounds more like a stand-up comedy special than a book! Sedaris' voice makes the material ten times as funny because of his tone and emphasis. If your not giving it as a gift, treat yourself. Find a cozy spot by the fake fire, watch the lack of snow flutter outside the window, sip your spiked hot chocolate and let Sedaris help forget about your holiday troubles by laughing at his.

Rating: 5! This will stay on your bookshelf (or music library) forever!




ISBN-13: 9780316078917

Book Review : Street Magic

"Street Magic" by Caitlin Kittredge introduces us to a underground world called the Black where magic is real and death is around every corner. Pete (Petunia) age 16, saw the apparent death of punk rocker Jack Winter during an invocation gone wrong. Years later after becoming a copper in London, children begin disappearing and Pete is on the case. The kidnapper continues to allude her until an old friend from her past seems to rise from the dead to help her. Jack Winter is not the same person he was before, now he is known as the ruthless Crow Mage with a nasty drug habit to suppress the voices of the dead. As Pete forces him to detox to help her find the missing children, she also begins to the unravel the magic secrets of her past.

The language in this novel is very gritty and very British which really brings the characters to life. The constant love/hate relationship that evolves between Pete and Jack is realistic and entertaining to follow. My only beef with the novel is that it is too secretive. I was getting annoyed whenever Pete asked a question and was only answered by "You mean you don't know?" and it made we want to scream "OF COURSE SHE DOESN'T KNOW, GIVE HER A HINT!" The lack of information that was revealed made me feel lost and the wrap up happened way too quick without much explanation. I love the characters, the idea, and the language but the plot formation killed it for me. Still, it doesn't put me off of the series. If anything, it hooked me in to find out more about Jack and Pete so I will definitely be giving the sequel, Demon Bound, a read.

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