End of the Semester

So, we're coming to the end of the semester, so I've got portfolios to turn in and papers to grade. I've got a lot of work, but most of it is grading, since I'm pretty much done with all of my other work. I just got to print them up. Grading I'm not looking forward to, because I'm afraid my students haven't improved. A lot of their second drafts were worst than the first...have you ever had that? Ugh. Their final papers are due monday...fingers crossed.

I'm right in the middle of reading both A Prayer for Owen Meany and Anansi Boys. I'm stoked about them so far.

*

In about two weeks, I'll be in Vegas meeting up with my brother, his wife, my other brother, and his girlfriend--right now i just watched the foo fighters storytellers (or the end of it) and got to see them perform "everlong." This is one of the best songs ever written. It still gives me goosebumps to hear it. Everything in that song is perfect. And THE DRUMS. God. So good. I gotta admit, watching the old sunny day real estate bass player playing with the foo fighters is a pretty nice treat too. Anyway, where was I? Oh, yeah. Vegas.

I'm excited to see my family and their signifs. I'm excited to roam the hotels and the strip...something we really didn't get a chance to do last time. Hopefully I will a million dollars playing the slots. Wish me luck!

*

I hope everyone had a good thanksgiving. We had a vegan thanksgiving. Stuffed Squash. So good. Emily and I have had a 90s video party the other night...meaning that we watched videos online...classics like Semisonic's Closing time, Dave Matthew's Crash, Mighty Mighty Bosstones' The Impression that I Get...and more. A while ago we did the same watching Bush videos, NO Doubt Videos and more. DO it sometime. It's crazy the kind of shit it reminds you of, and how good these songs are. Shit, that reminds me. I'm gonna watch some old Radiohead videos like Karma Police and The Bends. Mmmmm. Any other 90 suggestions?

*

I've been writing a lot of stuff: Mostly The Story Thief, and some Lyric Essay stuff (writing about faith, my family, and shit like that), and a little poetry too. I got some stories from Ian not to long ago. Gonna read them over the break! I'm excited...

*

Well I think that's all for now.

I love you all,

Joshua

I've got some reading to do

Really, I do. Though, none of it is for school. Right now I'm reading David Sedaris' Naked and Sherman Alexie's Absolute True Diary of a Part Time Indian and some random literary journals, while also peeking at some poetry books I've got lying around. Next? You ask...well. Next, I'm going to read Neil Gaiman's Anansi Boys and John Irvings A Prayer for Owen Meany. I also have some poetry collections I'm going go through too. And another Sedaris book.
*
I started working on The Story Theif again. It's exciting. I wrote the final scene of the novel (the first novel in the saga) and figured out the beginning of the second book, but that'll have to wait. I'm planning on working on The Story Theif over break so that I have a decent rough draft for those of you who have already agreed to take a look at it. I thank you ahead of time, and demand that you also send me some of your stuff so that I can read and stuff during the break.
*
I've been thinking about Kate's The Baby Lottery. I think I might read that again soon.
*
Next semester: Poetry Workshop - I'm gonna work on a sequence called "The Fires." It's new.
Fiction Workshop - I'm gonna try to work on a long-story called "We're Not Muderers."
And I'm either taking Form and Tech with Robin Romm dealing with Magic Realism or an Independent study with Connie Voisine, where I'll be working on my manuscript so that I can have it ready by march for contests...We'll see.
*
I'm listening to Elton John right now and about to clean the book case. I miss you all my friends.

I can't wait for Star Trek on DVD...and don't worry Dave, we'll get to the Wire...soon...
Love
Joshua Young

Mesilla

We went over to Mesilla today (where Billy the Kid was tried), and walked around. We forgot how cool it is there. Probably one of the few good things about Cruces. It's only two miles from the campus...While we were there we got some really good salsa and met an old lady who had lived there her whole life (and said it was so cold...). We also saw a freaking Rooster walking around...I have pic...I might put it up later.
Anyway. It was a good day of walking around and hanging out.
*
I have to grade 27 rough drafts tomm. Wish me luck. Looking at them, I think I got a lot of work to do.
*
Gonna eat some chips and salsa and watch SVU.
*
Mastadon, Converge, and High on Fire are comign to Cruces. We'll see...
*
Later friends,
Joshua