The National Books Critics Circle announced the 2014 finalists on Jan. 19th. Every time a book award list comes out I scan it eagerly to see who made it. There have been years when, I will admit, there have been tinges of jealousy but not this time. This year, a fellow writer from my writing program Willie Perdomo made it onto the list and when I saw his name I wanted to cheer out loud in my very quiet office space. He was nominated for his book of poetry: The Essential Hits of Shorty Bon Bon (penguin books). How bloody fantastic is that?! I wanted a chance to cheer for one of our own from Long Island University Graduate Writing Program. Here's to Willie Perdomo, a truly deserving poet.
When Gravity came out in theaters a couple of years ago there was so much hype around it that I decided to pass on it. Anyway, I finally saw it last night. The FX team did a really amazing job and now I almost wish I had seen it on the big screen. The story itself was pretty thin and at times a bit farfetched for my tastes but at the very heart of it Sandra Bullock playing Ryan Stone was amazing. The iron will to survive, the clawing, desperate, white-knuckle panic need-to-stay alive...yes, I bought that part. It was a moment when she shifted and she made a choice to live....anyway I found the movie better than I had initially expected.
I write and I paint. Then I try to articulate some coherent thoughts about the creative process on this blog. In between those moments of producing work, I take photos, listen to groovy music, watch indie movies, read (a lot), go hear live music (preferably someone that rocks), go to the theater to see a new play from time to time, watch sci-fi movies, and continue to cultivate my curiosity. Then I write about that too.