random notes

It's the second week of classes here at FIT, hence the blog-silence. Just too much to do, to think about, to compose and type and disseminate. The kids are having a bit of trouble getting used to the back-to-school routine, which means Mom has to stay up with them until they finally settle down (which has, unfortunately, been more like 10:30 or 11).

The good news: 1) Thanks to Stella's respite worker Krystal, we've found an afterschool program, where she will go three days a week (Krystal works there, so she'll have a pal to acclimate her, and someone to bring her home). She'll make friends, do homework, and generally keep the learning going after school hours.
2) I love my classes! I'm teaching two sections of Creative Nonfiction, one online Creative Writing class, and a brand-new course, Poetry Writing, that my colleague Stan and I created. All of them are chock-full of eager, bright, and energetic people who are diving right in to explore the writing process (and, of course, reading some great stuff as examples and inspiration).
3) I have a new favorite band: FLEET FOXES. The Rolling Stone blog says, "Think CSNY performing Pet Sounds." I've become obsessed with their harmony-laden, acoustic-based, folk-and-pop influenced stuff, so much so that I paid someone about double face value for tickets to one of their sold-out NYC shows in October. Go to YouTube and check out "White Winter Hymnal," then listen to the Beach Boys' "Don't Worry Baby," and you'll see what I mean. (I actually played them at the same time and realized that both songs are not only in the same key, but nearly the same tempo.)
4) WFUV is playing Andrew Bird right now. RIGHT NOW. (Well, they were when I started this post.)
5) The new exhibit at the Museum at FIT opens tonight: GOTHIC: Dark Glamour, and I'm going to the opening! The exhibit opens in tandem with the release of the book of the same name, a collection of essays edited by Valerie Steele (one of my personal heroes) and Jennifer Park. There are a whole series of special events connected with the book and show, including a Tim Burton film fest, and two literary readings of gothic works, classic and contemporary. In a bit I will be donning my version of "gothic"--all black, of course, rather subdued, and no dramatic makeup--can't wait to see what the rest of the crowd is wearing!