tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1465202622558216452024-03-13T15:22:05.613-04:00Calvin VS World<br>
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<center>A person is a success if they get up in the morning and go to bed at night; and, in between, do what they want. --Bob Dylan</center>Calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478986722468607006noreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146520262255821645.post-53552256913679789292015-01-01T15:00:00.001-05:002015-01-01T15:00:58.907-05:00The Reckoning 2014 - The Glory of FailureI've always been terrible at making goals, at least formally. Writing them down, actually looking at them again, and giving an account are not my cup of tea. But a year ago I sat down and made a hefty set of 2014 goals, and I actually stretched myself (not something I enjoy much). Since actually having pulled off a handful of them (7 of 23, I believe) is a big deal (for me), I decided it was worth a few minutes of blog time to give an accounting of my successful and not-so-successful 2014 goals. <br />
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I broke my goals into seven categories: Spiritual, Physical, Social, Professional, Creative, Educational, Personal. I set three goals for each category, with a fourth in the Creative (because I need it) and Social (because I'm good at it) categories.<br />
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I won't go into every goal, but here are a few highlights of my successes and failure.<br />
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SUCCESS</div>
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My biggest success came from the goal that I made somewhat facetiously: Get Married. I'm not going to write the whole story (Hannabeth would want to read over my shoulder to clarify...pretty much everything), but it was a crazy whirlwind of awesomeness and I'm more surprised than anyone. For the record, my other goals in the Social category were to host two parties (check) and go on multiple out-of-state road trips (Quebec and North Carolina). Life is nuts (see also: awesome).</div>
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Creative goals kept me on my toes this year. Not having gotten into PhD programs the last few years isn't the end of the world (although sometimes it feels like it from April to, like, July) because my MFA is a terminal degree. The trick to getting a job would be to publish a book, which is a project that's a few years out. During the year I will generally choose a month or three to write a poem a day, but I one-upped that by making poem-a-day 2014. Holy project. I haven't really gone back to revise or submit them (journal submission was another goal [tried for 100] that fell short).</div>
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I'm getting bored, so I know you're getting bored, so my other successes were to get to know a co-worker (fellow poet Colin Halloran, who is rad), getting into habit of going to bed before midnight (try 9pm), and win a writing prize (thanks, Twitter).</div>
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FAILURE</div>
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I'm pretty awesome at failure, so it's going first. Of the seven categories, I failed two entirely: Spiritual and Educational. It hurts to admit that. Spiritual goals were:</div>
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Attend the temple once a month (if you're not a Mormon, feel free to ask)</div>
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Re-read <em>Preach My Gospel</em>, which I have hardly touched in a decade.</div>
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Read the Old Testament</div>
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Temple attendance is always going on my goal list. I have never done it enough, and once a month is totally doable. <em>PMG</em> is easy enough, but I may switch texts for 2015. <em>Jesus the Christ </em>is another one I've meant to return to (so good). As for the Old Testament, I didn't read the whole thing, but I read most of Genesis with my wife. So the way it's worded I could maybe count that. Spiritual stuff is tough on a number of levels, so it's going to be a focus next (well, this) year.</div>
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Education-wise, I kind of shot myself in the foot. One of my goals was to get into a PhD program or apply for next fall by Halloween. Getting into school is out of my hands once the applications are in (should have made a better goal) and I took on a third adjunct position at Bunker Hill Community College (had zero time, but biked the crap out of Boston). I'ma spend more time on this category for 2015 goals.</div>
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I also didn't learn to paint or sculpt, nor did I make my reading goal. The reading goal was hefty: 30 books of poetry and 20 novels or at least not-poetry books. I got 13 books of poetry, and finished the 20th novel last night at 3am (2014 ain't over until I go to sleep. Didn't you know I am Father Time?). So that's half the goal. I actually counted wrong (stupid math) and thought I had 19 novels, but I pulled off that piece of the goal. That being said, here's the fastest succession of 34 book reviews you'll ever read:</div>
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<strong>Poetry </strong>(I put this one first so you might actually read it):</div>
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<em>Silverchest</em> by Carl Phillips - Love like three poems, hated about half, ripped three out of the book, got great poems out of my experience..</div>
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<em>Genius Loci</em> by Lance Larsen - Best book of poetry I had read in ages.</div>
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<em>Skirmish</em> by Dobby Gibson - Not nearly as good as <em>It Becomes You, but enjoyable.</em></div>
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<em>Black Box</em> by Erin Belieu - Liked it less than her other stuff, but she's consistently great.</div>
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<em>Dancing in Odessa</em> by Ilya Kaminsky - No surprise that this guy is famous. Brilliant collection.</div>
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<em>Lucky Fish</em> by Aimee Nezhukumatathil - Snore. All the poems sounded the same.</div>
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<em>Into Daylight</em> by Jeffrey Harrison - Made me feel things.</div>
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<em>Distant Early Warning</em> by Rad Smith - Published posthumously. Everyone should read it.</div>
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<em>Faithful and Virtuous Night</em> by (my girl) Louise Gluck - Read it before it won its awards. I want to be her when I grow up.</div>
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<em>A House Waiting for Music</em> by David Hernandez - Don't remember much. Good</div>
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<em>The History of Forgetting</em> by Lawrence Raab - Texted these poems to friends. Love him.</div>
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<em>Strong Is Your Hold</em> by Galway Kinnell - Mind blowing. Everything he writes is mind blowing.</div>
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<strong>Fiction</strong></div>
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<em>The Dante Club</em> by Matthew Pearl - Not bad. Better if you love Dante and know Boston (which I do).</div>
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<em>The Catcher in the Rye</em> by J. D. Salinger - Annoying as all get out. <u>Sucked</u>.</div>
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<em>Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader</em> by Anne Fadiman - Love, love, love this collection of essays. You should all read it.</div>
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<em>Moby Dick</em> by Herman Melville - So good. </div>
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<em>East of Eden</em> by John Steinbeck - Best Steinbeck by a long shot. Worth the million pages.</div>
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<em>Cain</em> by Jose Saramago - If you read this, read it before blindness. If you never read it, you'll live.</div>
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<em>Harry Potter</em> (the entire series, 7 books) by J. K. Rowling - Snape is better in the movies, but it's not hard to see why this was so popular.</div>
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<em>Blindness</em> by Jose Saramago - So much to say about this book, so difficult to express it all.</div>
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<em>Lolita</em> by Vladimir Nabokov - Beautifully written, but once that wears off (about chapter 3) it's drivel.</div>
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<em>1984</em> by George Orwell - High school book I never read. One Rage Against the Machine song makes more sense now, which pleases me.</div>
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<em>No Country for Old Men</em> by Cormac McCarthy - Literally could not put this down. This guy is so good.</div>
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<em>Everything is Illuminated</em> by Jonathan Safran Foer - Movie is 100 times better. </div>
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<em>Ninja</em> by John Man - Such a let down. I'll save you the read: ninjas did almost nothing, and Japan has a history of dudes that start things, die, and someone else finishes them.</div>
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<em>The Hunger Games</em> by Susanne Collins - Enjoyed this as much as the movie. Know the others will go downhill, but I gotta know what happens.</div>
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2015</div>
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I haven't set up my goals for 2015 yet, but I realized that if I make a goal to blog more all I have to do is post them and I'm set. Can't decide whether I'll add a category or tone down the goal making, but here's to a new year for more failure.</div>
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Calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478986722468607006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146520262255821645.post-66354611334408156472014-10-08T14:46:00.001-04:002014-10-08T14:46:56.019-04:00Concerning Poetry - Writing Process Chain Letter<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This week (I hope I’m not too late!) my good friend Sophie Grimes invited me to try this blog post (hello, blogosphere, I’ve [kinda] missed you!). It’s a chain letter of sorts, and I almost never spend any time considering the impetus of my own writing, so I said yes. I teach in 45 minutes, so this will be an exercise in time management (another of my non-strengths).</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-size: large;">Sophie and I were poetry mates in Boston University’s MFA in Creative Writing program. We have very much stayed in touch, and Sophie is going to do great things with her work. My favorite memory<span style="font-family: Tahoma;">—</span>among so many<span style="font-family: Tahoma;">—</span>with Sophie is when I dropped by her grandparent’s plum farm/homestead in Iowa (Iowa, right, Sophie?) on one of my Boise-to-Boston road trips. It was a bit of a spur of the moment, but Sophie was an amazing host. She introduced me to her friends, made me macaroni and cheese, and we went swimming in the man-made lake down the hill. As I was leaving she handed me a heavy paper bag and said, "I am going to give you plums, because that is what poet friends do." Needless to say, the plums were delicious and I wrote a poem about that day.</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-size: large;">"Enough with the preliminaries and now on to the main event!" <span style="font-family: Tahoma;">–</span>Hades, in Disney’s Hercules</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON?</strong></span></div>
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</strong></span><span style="font-size: large;">Man alive, what am I not working on? Composition has never been the difficult part of poetry in my case. During the MFA program, and once or thrice afterward, I created what I very creatively call "Poem-a-day February)<span style="font-family: Tahoma;">—</span>because, let’s face it, if you’re going to write a poem a day for a month February is the month of choice. Anyways, once I got used to that I decided that I’m insane, so I dubbed this year "Poem-a-day 2014." I’m a few days behind (I play catch up sometimes), but so far I’ve done it. Which puts me at something like 250+ poems this year. Which is insanity. However, according to my personalized law of poetic averages, that means about 6<span style="font-family: Tahoma;">–</span>7 of them are good.</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-size: large;">If you think that’s a commitment, sit ye down. In addition to Poem-a-day 2014, I’m chipping away at my haiku blog, </span><a href="http://tenthousandhaiku.com/"><u><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Ten Thousand Haiku</span></u></a><span style="font-size: large;">. I started the project a few years ago when one of my three part-time jobs was translating medical websites. For whatever reason, I got a corner office with a view, and I had been watching fall turn to winter and winter continue being hell on earth. So I decided to start a project where I would write 10,000 haiku in as many days. I’ll do the math for you: 27 years and 3 months<span style="font-family: Tahoma;">—</span>a few months longer than how old I was when I started. I keep most of the rules of haiku written in English (5-7-5 syllable count, seasonal word, conflicting but congruent images, etc.) and jot them down in my phone or on the back of my hand until I can get them on the blog. It’s been an amazing experience so far and I’m almost to 1,000 haiku. The project keeps me adept in my "seeing" of the world, and it makes me feel like I’m doing something poetic when I’m not writing as much as I’d like to (which, this year, is not the case, I suppose).</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-size: large;">On top of the insane amount of composition, I’m also working on revising my first book-length manuscript, applying to contests when money allows, and reading as much as I can for ideas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>HOW DOES YOUR WORK DIFFER FROM OTHER WRITERS OF THIS GENRE?</strong></span></div>
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</strong></span><span style="font-size: large;">This question contributes to the reasons I never consider my own poetry. Good golly. I’m assuming we’re talking the genre of poetry, in which case I don’t know that it does differ from other writers. I’m for sure not Alan Ginsberg (thankfully), but I also imitate so much, both consciously and subconsciously, that it’s difficult to separate myself. So I will dodge the question a bit and tell you poets that I do write like. I’ll narrow it to three: David Ferry, Lance Larsen, and Lawrence Raab. These three, besides being white dudes like me, are the poets who have written work that I have been trying to write. In Ferry’s case, his poem "</span><a href="http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdfplus/10.1162/001152604772746729"><u><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">October</span></u></a><span style="font-size: large;">," (link is safe, you can click it) from his incredible collection Bewilderment, was the finished version of a poem I had started months before his book came out. And I wasn’t even disappointed. I was just amazed. My work differs from David’s work in that my work is entirely inferior. Given, he’s been writing for three times longer than I’ve been alive and I was blessed to take a course from him at BU, but still. So much to shoot for. As for the other two, and other poets (I’m looking at you, Mary Ruefle), my work differs from theirs in that it is my own. I feel that I have a very valid take on the world<span style="font-family: Tahoma;">—</span>or at least present a valid view of the world<span style="font-family: Tahoma;">—</span>and I spend a lot of time simply writing like myself (also not different from other writers). I’m going to start babbling, so I’ll say this: whether or not others feel my work differs from that of other writers, my work is informed by a reverence for the natural world. This place we live fascinates the daylights out of me, and I try to present that fascination in my poetry. Reverence for the commonplace. Now there’s a title.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>WHY DO YOU WRITE WHAT YOU DO?</strong></span></div>
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</strong></span><span style="font-size: large;">I think I accidentally just answered this question. At least partially. Sophie was right on in her answer: I can’t do anything else. I’ve tried all sorts of writing, but I can’t produce anything longer than a poem. For a long time I saw that as a limitation, but I’m starting to come around to the fact that it is perfectly fine to have a niche. Thinking a bit longer about it, I think I write what I do because I have a chip on my shoulder. I find value in what I create and I couldn’t care less if others find value in it (yeah right, please publish meeeeee!). I want to carve my own space into the world of creative writing, and poetry is the best way I know how to do so. It’s what I want to write. I’ve often told people that I don’t have the patience for fiction. This is true, but I also don’t think like a fiction writer. I don’t want to develop themes and meaning and build characters; I want to punch people in the gut with things that they should have seen in the first place. When I started writing poetry, the audience mattered to me. If the poem wasn’t funny and people didn’t laugh then I was doing something wrong. My wonderful mentor at BYU, Susan Howe, and the MFA program at BU pulled me out of that rut (thank you) and poetry has become about me and the moment. I write what I do because that’s what comes out when I set pen to paper. Poetry is a much more immediate medium than other types of writing, and that appeals to me immensely.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>HOW DOES YOUR WRITING PROCESS WORK?</strong></span></div>
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</strong></span><span style="font-size: large;">First facetious thought to come to mind: it doesn’t. My writing process is all over the place, and as soon as I tell you what it is I’ll realize I was lying. So I’ll answer by saying that it depends on the conditions. Regardless of what is happening, I have to take a time out and sit down to write a poem. This becomes difficult when I come up with an idea in the real world<span style="font-family: Tahoma;">—</span>when I’m teaching, right before bed, the second I lose my pen, etc.). I write by hand and use the computer. Both appeal to me for different reasons. Writing by hand keeps me in the moment and allows me to pace myself and see the poem unfolding before it does (I write much slower than I think). When I’m on the computer, I can let the ideas flow, with the added bonus of revising as I go. I’m not one for revision, so the computer really works well for me in that way (anecdotal comparison: another classmate of ours, Dan Kraines, would hand us poem draft number 11 or 12 in workshop. I once made it to poem draft 5 and I thought I was gonna die.). </span><br />
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</span><span style="font-size: large;">My ideas usually come from outside sources. I will do something innocent<span style="font-family: Tahoma;">—</span>something like hearing a sentence, reading a line of poetry, or attending a reading<span style="font-family: Tahoma;">—</span>and a line or image will pop into my head. Sometimes I can build around it, but generally I wait until I have a few of these ideas or blurbs on paper and try to build connections between them. This simplifies the process for me, particularly because I write short poems. I’m also super big on titles (slight apologies for the non sequitur), and I like my titles to be one word long if I can help it. So I usually start with a blank piece of paper and write "Poem" at the top. When the poem is finished and given a once-over, I title it as best I can. There’s no real rhyme or reason to it, I simply like the way it works for and against the poem (for an idea of what I’m going for, see Louise Glück’s poem "</span><a href="http://www.inspirationalstories.com/poems/happiness-louise-gluck-poem/"><u><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Happiness</span></u></a><span style="font-size: large;">."</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-size: large;">Many, many thanks to Sophie for this prompt. It’s been too long since I blogged, and I now a bit more about myself and her. Bonus. Time is up, so I’m going to invite my other favorite classmate from BU (we’ll keep it in the family), Lisa Hiton, to write the next installment of this writing process chain letter. Lisa is probably the most insightful person close to my age when it comes to considering and identifying what makes a poem click and how to create meaning. I really want to hear what she has to say, not to mention how she says it. In the mean time, you can find her on her legit </span><a href="http://www.lisahiton.com/"><u><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">website</span></u></a><span style="font-size: large;"> (makin' me jealous).</span>Calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478986722468607006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146520262255821645.post-85395637811899031892013-12-26T13:08:00.004-05:002013-12-26T13:12:32.054-05:00Tupelo Press 30/30 Project - Poems 16–20Poem 16<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Gradient</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">A storm petrel flutters<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">over choppy water, flicking<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">drops into the sky<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">that touch the waves<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">any number of places<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">invisible in this wind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">All fear and softness,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">the bird’s body gives<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">muscle a rest, expanding,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">bracing its hollow bones <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">against the moving air<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">hoping, if birds hope,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">land of any type<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">makes its way through<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">the shifting horizon, arriving <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">sooner than tomorrow’s dark. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I want to yell<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">into the coastal fog,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">tell the storm petrel<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">it is not much<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">better here on shore:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">turn back, the mindless <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">mist remains in spite <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">of all our striving.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">But the wind sweeps<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">all my warnings out<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">to sea, performs again<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">the ritual ripping away<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">it knows so well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Almost extinct, the bird<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">feels things inside it<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">tilt now, almost tumbling<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">out of their places.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">This is the moment<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I start walking again<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">farther into something not<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">water and not rock.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The storm petrel cries<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">or sings a note.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It punctures, hovers, fails.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
_____________________<br />
<br />
Poem 17<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">Density</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It
is not the opening of eyes but the opening of blinds <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">to
snow that starts this day. I roll over, quietly naming <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">things
not in this room: carpet, food, a body’s rearranging<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">of
sheets in a different direction than that I rolled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Heat
is held back by the door, an inch of cold hovering <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">inside
the threshold. I reach for the handle, the only exit<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">emptying
into another inside. It turns the same way<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">as
always, it barely fits the curve of my hand, quietly<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">holding
in or holding out, I do not know which.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Twist
and pull—the balancing begins: one air curdling <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">into
another, wood floor catching light in new angles, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">something
quietly moving that is not me. Not even close.</span><br />
<br />
___________________________________________<br />
<br />
Poem 18<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">Make it Sunday</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I need not describe it<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">in terms of loneliness. It is a
depth, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">approximate at best, a center<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">housed in a body defined<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">in relation to foreign things.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
_________________________<br />
<br />
Poem 19<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">Paraselene</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">A
slope rises to the horizon, only a few inches from my face<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">if
this were a painting. I would say that the snow glitters<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">but
snow only covers, and it’s a flimsy dusting at that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I
want to name the snow, to call it you because it is<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">cold—it
is a cliché falling from the sky, barely<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">less
obvious than the moon, which has itself<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">changed
shapes since last night. On the road<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I
can see the aftermath of wind silhouetted<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">against
the asphalt: the shadows of things<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">more
substantial than they themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Out
there almost no headway awaits.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Test
your weight. The surface holds <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">a
moment, then splits: a tilted body<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">sinks,
stops, steps again knowing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">each
future footfall sinks anew.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I
could turn back to see all<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">the
hollow proofs of flight,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">but
all the sunken scars<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I
leave this landscape<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">point
up the slope<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">to
me, a traveler<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">who
feels, but<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">does
not hear<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">the
quiet<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">filling.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
___________________________________<br />
<br />
Poem 20<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">Utterance</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">—For
Maggie</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">May
the wall crack <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">your
back. May retreat <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">find
you screaming <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">without
artifice,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">without
guile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">This
is the art of sacrifice: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">not
a hole—a shift<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">in
the heart, a pulling <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">toward
something <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">outside<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">the
body, an animal weight<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">jamming
the chest, breath<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">the
only struggle. That other<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">blood-filled
body<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">pulses
just like yours.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">May
you be the foreign object<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">splintered
into wood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">May
your skin break.</span>Calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478986722468607006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146520262255821645.post-15687535622211059572013-12-26T12:59:00.006-05:002014-03-11T11:02:38.029-04:00Tupelo Press 30/30 Project - Poems 11–15Poem 11<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">[Under Revision]</span></div>
_____________________________________<br />
<br />
Poem 12<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">Winter Morning Walk</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
wind biting<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">one
side of cars,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">every
cross street<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">pushing
it under<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">your
coat, swirling<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">around
the torso,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">up
through the arms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Bad
circulation pilfers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">blood
from your fingers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">sooner
than last season.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">This
must be<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">getting
old. Plod<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">uphill,
the bus stop<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">funnels
the wind chill<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">in
either direction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Cold,
inescapable cold<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">tightens
the skin:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">you
know right where<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">your
keys are. Clenching,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">unclenching
hands,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">lowering
the chin<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">to
breathe the warm air<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">out,
hang the wetness<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">leaving
the body,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">a
promise of more<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">cold
to come<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">but
not now. Now<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">there
is waiting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">This
is not new.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Lately
the letters<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">do
not return<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">in
the same month<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">you
sent them,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">not
even months<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">that
end in embers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">At
this point<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">you
could not <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">lick
the stamp for fear<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">it
will not stick.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">But
this is not<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">the
hard part;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">the
hard part is seeing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">soil
harden, glass snap,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">water
turning white<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">and
cracking underfoot,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">a
type and shadow<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">for skin, your skin.</span><br />
<br />
_____________________<br />
<br />
Poem 13<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">Blight</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Snowflakes fall</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">through the night-colored windows<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">into and out of sight,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">unaffecting from your looking place<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">where you raise your eyes,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">lowering them again into so many
words,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">symbols of senseless things<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">never caught at the end of a
tongue,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">never melted in breath,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">their comings and goings unknown<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">to the world’s insides.</span><br />
<br />
________________________________<br />
<br />
Poem 14<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">Setting</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">This
evening holds nothing extraordinary. Not even the chives in my soup<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">are
restless. All the major religions have heads on their shoulders again<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">and
the pilot lights to all my old flames have gone out the open window.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I
even had time to read today—a book, even. Imagine reading a book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I
met the author in college, a friend of a friend. She was older. Forty-something
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">pages
into not being able to put her down, I read a letter she had chopped<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">into
lines. It set me somewhere between spotting her name on a poster and peeking <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">through
the blinds when I knew she’d be naked. Those hormones have ebbed,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">mostly.
She tells me about the moon: we are forlorn, she says, thanks to her place<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">in
the sky, drawn to her majesty precisely because we can see it. There is no
reflection<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">not
conceding its surface to her at some angle. I was thinking about her tonight,
wondering<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">which
of my windows she’s chosen to smear as the soup steams itself back to sleep.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
________________________________________________________________<br />
<br />
Poem 15<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Visible</span><br />
<br />
A nearly full moon<br />
Layers of ice under snow<br />
Your breath in the air<br />
<br />Calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478986722468607006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146520262255821645.post-495933933321520812013-12-11T18:09:00.001-05:002013-12-26T13:10:52.964-05:00Tupelo Press 30/30 Project - Poems 6–10I am floored at the wonderful response I've gotten for this project. I've already got enough donations and pledges to be over my goal, so a huge thanks to everyone who has my back. Seriously.<br />
<br />
I've decided to put the poems on this blog every five days, so here are poems 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. If you want to see them as they come up, you can still see each one on the day it is written by clicking <a href="http://tupelopress.wordpress.com/3030-project/" target="_blank">here</a> and scrolling down.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
~</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Poem 6</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">Waking</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In the second dream, a
bird pilfers</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">all of the scraps from my
desk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">None of the typing ceases
or slows.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Unfamiliar but
comfortable, this place<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">takes its grayness for
granted, even outside<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">the rooftops nearly
disappear <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">in fog. Dropping into
half-veiled places,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">chirping once, the bird
only wants to be<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">found. Another someone
supplanted<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">here takes notice, moving
backward<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">despite the nature of
walls (useless:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">the sky is right there) remaining
the same. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The bird and the other
someone are quiet<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">now. It is time. That
something moving<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">inside the pillow is your
heart<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">keeping cadence, thick like a hollow bone.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">_______________________________________</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Poem 7</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Flight</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 150%;">Rolling
over, a train <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 150%;">in
motion, silence:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 150%;">these
are all the ways I move<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 150%;">away
from you.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%;">
________________________________</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Poem 8</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Windburn</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">Received unwillingly, a warmness
under<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">skin confuses the body. Closed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">eyes veil the room: you have not
left,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">no, the place has shifted in
neglect.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">Do not speak to me of want.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">Every rearranging understands
itself<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">in relation to the floor, window
lit<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">on certain mornings. A man passes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">my house, a grocery bag in tow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">He passes every day, the same
burden<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">in his fingers. There is something<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">he does not wish to carry into
night<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">let alone tomorrow. You are enough<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">whatever it is you want for today<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">for both of us. You can take these
words<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">for granted, if you wish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">I will catch the singeing scraps,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">impaling every one, a sapling.<span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">___________________________________</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Poem 9</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">Splintered Things<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We
become these things. Or rather,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">we
turn these things to pulp, ingest them<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">in
some form or another, and carry on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Never
mind this piece of paper<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">spent
years rooted among its cousins<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">in
a forest or part of a forest that endured<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">so
many fires and the exploding cold <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">only
an arid winter understands,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">the
closest it ever came to touching <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">the
other trees (not counting wind)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">being
when squirrel leapt from its neighbor,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">bending
its branch with the unfamiliar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">weight
of a body built for climbing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Never
mind that at all. It is nothing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">like
grasping a hoarfrosted fencepost<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">hoping
what pours forth is not blood.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">___________________________________</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Poem 10</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">Revision</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span> —for Anie<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
the
knife in position<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
the
body’s division<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
the
mind’s indecision<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
eyes
shadowed, masks<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
the
body’s rescission<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
the
mind’s imposition<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
the
knife in decision<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
bleeder<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
the
mind’s indecision<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
the
knife in precision<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
the
body’s derision<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
incision,
excision, suture, and out<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
Calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478986722468607006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146520262255821645.post-24831889672631667542013-12-01T15:20:00.003-05:002013-12-11T17:55:49.850-05:00Tupelo Press 30/30 Project (Scroll Down for the First 5 Poems)<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hi Kids,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> I've just started a month long<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> poetry marathon called the Tupelo Press 30/30 project. </span>I’m
going to write a new poem every day in December and all of them will appear on the project website (you can see my face <a href="http://tupelopress.wordpress.com/3030-project/3030-project-contributors/" target="_blank">here</a> and find the poems somewhere in <a href="http://tupelopress.wordpress.com/3030-project/3030-project-december-2012" target="_blank">here</a> [or just scroll down in this post]).</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The project is also a fundraiser to help Tupelo Press do what they do (printing interesting books, defending the cause of poetry, validating my existence, etc.), so I made a goal to raise $400 through the course of the month.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I hate, hate, <em>hate</em> asking for money, so to ease my conscience a bit I'm offering a bit of a payback system for anybody who wants to help:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A $15 donation gets you a poem dedication (I'll write "For ______" at the beginning of the poem).</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A $20 donation will get you a poem written about you or the subject of your choosing.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A $35 donation will get you the above, plus I will write and send you your own poem (a new one that won't appear on the site).</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A $50 donation will get you the above, plus a kiss, and I will write the new poem on fancy paper and mail it to you so you can keep it forever (Christmas presents, people), AND I will send you a hand made chapbook of all 31 poems when I finish.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A $99 donation gets you all of the above and 9 books of your choosing from Tupelo Press.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you want to do one of these ^ please let me know and I will write you down. First come, first served.</span></span><br />
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">~</span></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There are three ways to donate:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 - <strong>Subscribe to Tupelo Press</strong> by going </span><a href="http://www.tupelopress.org/books_subscribe.php" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">HERE</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, filling everything out, and remembering to <strong><u><span style="color: red;">put my name in the "comments" field.</span></u></strong></span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You get 9 books for $99. You can choose the 2013 series, another year's series, or just handpick 9 books that sound good to you.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 - <strong>Complete the Tupelo Press Donation Form</strong> by going </span><a href="https://www.tupelopress.org/donate.php" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">HERE</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, filling everything out, and remembering to <strong><u><span style="color: red;">put my name in the "honor" field.</span></u></strong></span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You can choose the amount (be sure to tell me if you're over $15 so I can give you your reward) and submit it.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3 - <strong>Donate Using PayPal</strong> by going HERE, clicking on the orange link that says "Quick Donation via PayPal," and remembering to <strong><u><span style="color: red;">put my name in the "message" field</span></u></strong>.</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yay.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You can get a tax receipt for items 2 & 3 (not 1, since you get 9 books) by providing your mailing address when you donate.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">~</span></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Please don't feel any pressure whatsoever to donate. If nothing else, just follow the poems and enjoy your December.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">_________________________________________________________________________________</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Poem 1</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">December<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Not
long ago, the wind was full<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">of
things: leaves mostly, occasionally<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">a
plastic bag. It filled them<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">the
way wind does, imitating water<o:p></o:p></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">and,
some nights, pausing<o:p></o:p></span></span>
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">to
consider itself, accidentally <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">sharing
with the ground<o:p></o:p></span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">all
the once wind-filled things.<o:p></o:p></span></span>
<br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Morning
makes its way</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">through
my skeleton, the wind blows</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">what’s
left of the unseen sunrise</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">into
my unprotected eyes.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Keep
your finality, I can still see</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">through
you and into the future.</span></span><br />
</div>
</span>______________________________________________<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Poem 2</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Cover</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>—For
Chellee</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">A
song that is not your own<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">picks
its way through a crowd<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">almost
shrouded at the edge of one <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">fire’s
reach. The outdoor amphitheater<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">lends
itself to leaning forward,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">a
patient strumming at the tipping point.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">This
is all of us: landlocked.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Here
the boundaries are built of dirt,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">there
are two tomorrows, stars<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">in
their normal places and farther<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">downhill
and through the trees<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">more
stars bounce off the lake.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Between
verses I remember<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">you
are left handed: some would say<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">your
guitar is strung backward<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">but
your fingers fit the chord<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">without
a first glance, the way the blind read<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">braille,
another language we don’t speak.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">A
song is no religion, but close<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">enough
to soften rocks<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">or
at least coax them from the water<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">you
have chosen for your backdrop.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Silence
keeps the secret of itself <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">in
the tree line. The fire burns.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">If
we waited long enough<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">you
could show us the size of darkness.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
</span>_________________________________________<br />
<br />
Poem 3<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Bound<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">The
crosswalk lines, newly painted <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">in
a warmer month, dissolve.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">That
is no way to say it <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">but
to say decay is too much<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">against
the shadows stretching <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">into
what was once an afternoon.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">I
am the only quiet thing <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">left
in this city. I want to sleep<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">the
way I always sleep: curled<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">away
from nothing or something<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">without
a heartbeat. Not now.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Around
the corner a house (not yellow <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">enough
to be yellow, too yellow <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">to
call it cream) sits. That is all.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">It
sits. On the other side of a fence<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">two
tennis nets sag, the weight of color<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">lifted
long ago, the way it leaves<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">the
beards of young men and every tree<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">that
has not learned of permanence<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">through
release. I am nearly home.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">There,
where the yard starts, movement<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">pried
my gaze from the concrete once:<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">I
thought it might have been a bird </span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">choosing
not to fly away in fear.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">It
was a leaf, something heavier</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">holding it down just enough, too much.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">___________________________________________</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">
</span><br />
Poem 4, which contains a secret message.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span lang="PT" style="mso-ansi-language: PT;">I’ll Call You
Back</span><span lang="PT" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: PT; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="PT" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: PT; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> —For
Danielle (You asked for it.)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"></span> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Certain duties have me<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Restrained for the time being.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">After dinner I was forced to<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Poop in someone else’s house.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Ordinarily, I’d stay on the line,
but<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Ring me in fifteen?<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Going here is all off. I’m impeded,
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Every side an obstacle: a crotch-encroaching
sink,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Toilet paper disorientation, texts.
<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Oh, my feet have fallen asleep<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Five minutes sooner than normal.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Fear settles in. Is someone
outside?<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">That was a footstep. They know I’m
here.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Hum and haw, run the water, pray it
doesn’t<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Echo.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Press forward, push onward, forget<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Or repress the phone-sized splash
in my panic:</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">The door isn’t locked.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
_______________________________________<br />
<br />
Poem 5, whose title has two meanings.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Syncope<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">In
darkness I feel the human desire<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">to
diagram the heart, an artist’s<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">rendering,
beautiful and incomplete<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">enough
to label the ruptures without<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">naming
them. It is possible<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">to
feel guilty for being wronged. Try<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">catharsis
in the old sense of the word:<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">sketch
the necks of geese.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">I
stole that line from a gallery—<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">it
fled an open mouth, I found it<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">in
the stealing place. I wrote it down.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">When
I kneel at my bed at night<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">I
do not ask for justice. Justice hovers<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">out
of focus, out of sight.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
_________________________________<br />
<br />Calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478986722468607006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146520262255821645.post-78745697379993813142013-06-10T01:28:00.000-04:002013-06-10T01:30:06.861-04:00The Sucket List<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-anOc1NebEFs/UbViG1mJ3JI/AAAAAAAABHc/E5J_zItFXIg/s1600/Moun'ns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-anOc1NebEFs/UbViG1mJ3JI/AAAAAAAABHc/E5J_zItFXIg/s400/Moun'ns.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey look. Mountains!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It's summer vacation. I have a lot of time on my hands and plenty of it will be spent enjoying Idaho. So I made a bucket list. A summer bucket list. A sucket list. Here goes:<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Road trip to
Mexico</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Write a poem
every day in June and July</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Seattle</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Tramp it up</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Camp at
least thrice</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Catch a fish</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Get a
sunburn</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Beat Chad
and Dad at golf</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Kiss a girl
I haven’t kissed before</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Read a new
Dostoyevsky novel</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Invent a
sandwich and name it after myself</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Climb a
mountain</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">National
Oldtime Fiddlers Festival (Weiser)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Learn to
shuffle a deck of cards backward</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Pick up free
stuff off of craigslist</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Float the
Boise River with a cooler</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Whitewater
raft</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Start a
novel (10 chapters at least)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Finish </span><i style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Count of Monte Cristo</i><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"> unabridged</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Buy illegal
fireworks</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Feed ducks</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">See two
Shakespeare plays</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Eat Basque
food (Epi’s)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Yellowstone</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Attend Northwest
Rib Fest</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">See Jimmy
Eat World in Concert</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Finally go
to a race at Meridian Speedway</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Run through
the sprinklers</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Translate
another book of Lacerda’s poems</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Go to a
drive-in movie</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">See Parma</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Shoot a TV</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Cook a
vegetarian meal and make fun of it</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Experience a
new snow cone flavor</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Create a
graffiti tag</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Tag something</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Wear camo</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Make and
play a game of Giant Jenga</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Sharpie art a
pair of white sneakers</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Watch
fifteen westerns</span></li>
</ol>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px;">I have a really good feeling about this.</span></div>
<br />Calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478986722468607006noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146520262255821645.post-54038452268458127922013-03-11T20:06:00.000-04:002013-03-11T20:06:52.172-04:00Apparently I've Been BusySo...it's been a while. My last update was last summer, and it's almost this summer (Spring Break started today, actually). Here's what I've been up to:<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
AUGUST</h2>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GydnnP89xBo/UT5i66JRBgI/AAAAAAAABEQ/sMJDD4QiAGc/s1600/WP_20130225_004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GydnnP89xBo/UT5i66JRBgI/AAAAAAAABEQ/sMJDD4QiAGc/s320/WP_20130225_004.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wentworth Institute of Technology</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I got an email from Ron Bernier, Dean of the English department at Wentworth Institute of Technology. My poetry mate Lisa had been adjuncting (teaching part-time) there and I had sent an application letter for an open spot in, like, March 2012. Ron asked if I could come in for an interview that week in Boston. I was in McCall, Idaho, on family vacation, so obviously I said yes. I got in my car, drove to Boise, slept, drove three days across the country, slept, and went to my interview. Ron seemed nice, and once I told him I was going to be an adjunct professor at BU he was intrigued enough to give me a class. He gave me the option of English 100 or English 115, and I took 115 because it's an intro to literature class more than a first-year writing class. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-edQmuY2xGKQ/UT5lLFtrmXI/AAAAAAAABEY/dUpvf1tmAfg/s1600/BU.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-edQmuY2xGKQ/UT5lLFtrmXI/AAAAAAAABEY/dUpvf1tmAfg/s320/BU.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boston University</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
A few days later he called and asked if I wanted a second course. I like money, so I said, "Yes." Then BU called a few days later and asked if I wanted third course, so I said, "If you can make it Tue/Thu, then yes." So they made it Tue/Thu, and I said, "Yes." So last semester I ended up with five courses at two different universities. MWF I got up, drove to Wentworth, taught 9-10, took the T to BU, taught 11-12 and 12-1, took the T back to Wentworth, taught 2-3, and then proceeded to grade and attend volleyball, institute, or social functions/dates depending on the day. T/Th I took the bus to BU, taught 12:30-2, did a bunch of grading, and then went to Books and Basketball (a tutoring program I was called to run, in Roslindale, which is bloody forever away, for wards that aren't in our stake) or actual basketball. I've never been that swamped before, but I kept up on rent and fully paid off my London loan and two credit cards. I had great students, my favorite class being my T/Th class at BU, where I had a group of 8 or 9 kids in the theatre program. They started calling me Calvino after they saw my BU login information, and they called my class "How to Dress, with Calvin Olsen" once they had figured my style out (see Michael below). All in all, it was an insane-but-excellent semester. I'm glad it's over. I now have one course at BU and two at Wentworth (I had one at WIT, but Lisa got into a class at Harvard, so I took over her class).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fc5xc0WVus0/UT5l84BalOI/AAAAAAAABEk/h0hx-i5Cp5I/s1600/Michael.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fc5xc0WVus0/UT5l84BalOI/AAAAAAAABEk/h0hx-i5Cp5I/s320/Michael.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twinsies!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fc5xc0WVus0/UT5l84BalOI/AAAAAAAABEg/EYFRT-BV74Q/s1600/Michael.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<h2 align="center">
SEPTEMBER</h2>
In September, I got asked by my ward's activities committee if I would help them write the 10-minute skit for the tri-ward campout (I didn't skinny dip this year, but I did help a group of my closest associates put a lobster in Carly Porter's sleeping bag). We had to include Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber (Beiber? Beeber? Be-br?), so...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dTG5BjTLNkg/UT5njcHPQ9I/AAAAAAAABEo/0SIHqFwOWAo/s1600/Skit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dTG5BjTLNkg/UT5njcHPQ9I/AAAAAAAABEo/0SIHqFwOWAo/s320/Skit.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This happened.<br />
(Brandon, Megan, Me, Jake, Natalie)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
OCTOBER</h2>
<br />
I gave a TED talk. Well, a TEDx talk. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L0zmrW8vWs&playnext=1&list=PLsRNoUx8w3rNSWqLNOpOZnLIzcuyFwIaJ&feature=results_video" target="_blank">CLICK HERE TO SEE IT</a>. <br />
<br />
I got an email out of the blue from a producer at WGHB Boston (the broadcasting company that I had heard of at the tail end of my illegally-downloaded copy of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjg39XRkjVc" target="_blank">AM Radio</a> back in high school [whose music video I had never seen until now...it's amazing]).<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
NOVEMBER</h2>
<br />
I did a buttload of grading.<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
DECEMBER</h2>
<br />
I went home for Christmas break. It was really good. Highlights were...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gv4iuJleDII/UT5qh4fIXqI/AAAAAAAABEw/cxEbis3uan4/s1600/Boise+State.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gv4iuJleDII/UT5qh4fIXqI/AAAAAAAABEw/cxEbis3uan4/s320/Boise+State.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Road-tripping to Vegas with Gage, Jared and Dad to watch Boise State win a great bowl game</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3lrbr9YWTz4/UT5qi9deKbI/AAAAAAAABE4/rFRvBqSMqsw/s1600/Chad+and+Jared.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3lrbr9YWTz4/UT5qi9deKbI/AAAAAAAABE4/rFRvBqSMqsw/s320/Chad+and+Jared.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shooting with Jared and Chad</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
January</h2>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Ready for a new year, I...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q8NehUlzhyg/UT5roXWyDuI/AAAAAAAABFA/Zsv03jJxgFE/s1600/WP_20130114_004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q8NehUlzhyg/UT5roXWyDuI/AAAAAAAABFA/Zsv03jJxgFE/s400/WP_20130114_004.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Came back to Boston</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wsBNQQrjC9o/UT5rpYqfH0I/AAAAAAAABFI/GalIdR3dT2Y/s1600/WP_20130112_002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wsBNQQrjC9o/UT5rpYqfH0I/AAAAAAAABFI/GalIdR3dT2Y/s400/WP_20130112_002.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Went to my buddy Justin's wedding</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TKmQcvYAjdI/UT5rs4qwopI/AAAAAAAABFQ/1oVyASsVKB4/s1600/WP_20130127_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TKmQcvYAjdI/UT5rs4qwopI/AAAAAAAABFQ/1oVyASsVKB4/s400/WP_20130127_001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Started having picnics on the church rooftop</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eWdijCHLkfw/UT5rv0Oxv1I/AAAAAAAABFY/wQAzs8dwq1M/s1600/WP_20130125_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eWdijCHLkfw/UT5rv0Oxv1I/AAAAAAAABFY/wQAzs8dwq1M/s400/WP_20130125_001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Went rollerblading. It had been years and years. Still a blast, still hurts my feet.</td></tr>
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FEBRUARY</h2>
I wrote a poem every day (a feat, let me tell you), and...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y9w7oRNGxpc/UT5sj3KZvyI/AAAAAAAABFg/9XNkMff-ZVY/s1600/WP_20130202_002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y9w7oRNGxpc/UT5sj3KZvyI/AAAAAAAABFg/9XNkMff-ZVY/s400/WP_20130202_002.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painted a masterpiece. I call it "Moby Dick Vomiting Jonah, Sans Depth."<br />
I only had a foam brush. When Allison willed me her painting things she failed to mention keeping the brushes.<br />
Please notice the little lightning strikes at the top.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ECKf5qCIsw0/UT5slhcF5RI/AAAAAAAABFo/_DRgctiul6U/s1600/WP_20130205_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ECKf5qCIsw0/UT5slhcF5RI/AAAAAAAABFo/_DRgctiul6U/s400/WP_20130205_001.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I painted my other masterpiece.<br />
Just kidding, this is by my unbelievably talented friend, <a href="http://adriennestein.com/Adrienne_Stein/Home.html" target="_blank">Adrienne Stein</a>.<br />
I finally got the chance to visit her again.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-425AeqtPaas/UT5smplAOPI/AAAAAAAABFw/0I3tGZjDb0o/s1600/WP_20130210_002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-425AeqtPaas/UT5smplAOPI/AAAAAAAABFw/0I3tGZjDb0o/s400/WP_20130210_002.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got freakin' dumped on by Winter Storm Nemo.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SLbp2mcl7AU/UT5sp3SHVVI/AAAAAAAABGA/PCzQBvoVSBg/s1600/WP_20130219_004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SLbp2mcl7AU/UT5sp3SHVVI/AAAAAAAABGA/PCzQBvoVSBg/s400/WP_20130219_004.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got a translation published in <em>New Haven Review</em>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jc7m2YSftu8/UT5srDWkD8I/AAAAAAAABGI/MN3glWy7DL4/s1600/WP_20130219_005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jc7m2YSftu8/UT5srDWkD8I/AAAAAAAABGI/MN3glWy7DL4/s400/WP_20130219_005.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Took the time to read it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5t0FI77ZJcI/UT5soqBGLhI/AAAAAAAABF8/Xi2NvjTnqJI/s1600/WP_20130214_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5t0FI77ZJcI/UT5soqBGLhI/AAAAAAAABF8/Xi2NvjTnqJI/s400/WP_20130214_001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Went on a Valentine's Day man date with Reedgis.</td></tr>
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MARCH</h2>
So far this month, I...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L9dXV2Rx4Vk/UT5uTYPunHI/AAAAAAAABGQ/66jpwnDd4x0/s1600/WP_20130301_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L9dXV2Rx4Vk/UT5uTYPunHI/AAAAAAAABGQ/66jpwnDd4x0/s400/WP_20130301_001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got to see my poetry mate Dan Kraines give a reading.<br />
Please notice the interpretive photography I employed.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X0ntXHqmgMM/UT5uVMYJhGI/AAAAAAAABGY/NvJLhn5311A/s1600/WP_20130308_002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X0ntXHqmgMM/UT5uVMYJhGI/AAAAAAAABGY/NvJLhn5311A/s400/WP_20130308_002.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made my way to the <a href="https://www.awpwriter.org/" target="_blank">AWP</a> Book Fair to buy poetry books and light a fire under my butt to revise and submit.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JjtBHSnH5Dw/UT5uWOA90DI/AAAAAAAABGg/EqxJJsRBj-0/s1600/WP_20130309_010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JjtBHSnH5Dw/UT5uWOA90DI/AAAAAAAABGg/EqxJJsRBj-0/s400/WP_20130309_010.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hung out with Allison while she was visiting and finally saw the cool part of the Boston Public Library.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3pEVNYbegIY/UT5uXCxN89I/AAAAAAAABGo/kBLupaNbUEo/s1600/WP_20130309_011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3pEVNYbegIY/UT5uXCxN89I/AAAAAAAABGo/kBLupaNbUEo/s400/WP_20130309_011.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Actually spent more than thirty seconds downtown.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ow6YllA4c5o/UT5uYeApOBI/AAAAAAAABGw/UPayANHfxfc/s1600/WP_20130309_012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ow6YllA4c5o/UT5uYeApOBI/AAAAAAAABGw/UPayANHfxfc/s400/WP_20130309_012.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally took the time to visit Boston's famous Trinity Church.<br />
One of its windows (no pic, too much light for my "smart" phone) easily makes my top five for stained glass.</td></tr>
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So it's been an eventful few months. I'm waiting to hear back from some PhD programs (AKA once again in limbo, assuming I ever even <em>leave</em> limbo). I applied to twelve programs--six comparative literature and six in English with a creative dissertation. So far Hawaii, Denver, Columbia, Cornell, Houston, and Princeton have said no. USC, Harvard, Oxford (had a phone interview), Utah, Florida State, and Brown are silent as of yet. And that's all I'm going to say about that.</div>
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Things are good. Boston even gave me a sunrise a week or two ago (first time for everything). I'll leave you with that.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"You're welcome." -Jesus</td></tr>
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Calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478986722468607006noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146520262255821645.post-73226639776952638902012-07-01T23:42:00.001-04:002012-07-02T17:52:03.404-04:00Crossing the CountrySo. My life is nuts.<br />
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Things hadn't really been panning out in Boston, and I was ready for my money to go somewhere besides rent and minimum payments on loans/credit cards, so I decided that the door to Boston was shut. So I gave my two weeks' notice to Quantia and Eastern Mountain Sports and finished a project for Slate magazine, sold my apartment, had a farewell campout with all of my friends, packed my car, and...got a job.<br />
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I got a job teaching freshman English. At Boston University. Two courses. And BU pays enough for me to not have have any other jobs, plus time to write, plus stay in Boston, plus rub elbows with the best of the best in the poetry world. So technically I'm relocating to Boston. I have to find a new place to live, but I can handle that.<br />
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My interview was maybe 15 minutes. Chris Walsh, the associate director of BU's writing program, had heard about me from Bill Pierce (my boss at AGNI magazine last year). Turns out he also knew Alberto de Lacerda (the guy I translated at BU and in Europe last summer) before he died. So when I walked in he handed me a rubric for the syllabus and asked if my perfect situation was one class or two. Then he said, "Well, Bill recommends you, and I guess that Alberto does too, so I'm just going to give you two courses. And if it blows up in our faces then that's ok."<br />
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I've sent out application after application for the last year. And now the door has opened. I am hugely blessed.<br />
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I literally got the job last minute, and a plane ticket was a ton of money, so I got to drive across the country. A week or two before that, I was in New York City for Rich and Cherise's wedding. So I guess I'll just picture dump a little bit starting in NYC and going west to Idaho.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ffokvmnuxUc/T_ERbYJoKbI/AAAAAAAAA_4/UEFWXHG61fM/s1600/100_7769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ffokvmnuxUc/T_ERbYJoKbI/AAAAAAAAA_4/UEFWXHG61fM/s320/100_7769.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Reed (taking picture) and I stayed with Nishan (on my back) on the West Side.</div>
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We hit up a BBQ, the wedding, an improv comedy club to see the group Grandma's Ashes,</div>
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Central Park for a picnic, Times Square, the Met Museum of art, and food places galore.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KdLcZS2kc-I/T_ERgexW5fI/AAAAAAAABAA/NATKc1nHMTo/s1600/100_7771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KdLcZS2kc-I/T_ERgexW5fI/AAAAAAAABAA/NATKc1nHMTo/s320/100_7771.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I got lunch with Dan Kraines, one of my poetry mates from BU.</div>
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We went to Vaselka, a Ukranian place in the East Village.</div>
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After that we went to Strand book store, where I spent way too much money.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0AtTQ27ryLk/T_ERlLN2L8I/AAAAAAAABAI/dexPvuDwWQo/s1600/100_7772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0AtTQ27ryLk/T_ERlLN2L8I/AAAAAAAABAI/dexPvuDwWQo/s320/100_7772.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Only had two hours for art, but I did alright:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8zuP4SMSIaU/T_ERqAURgrI/AAAAAAAABAQ/tP5uHgU1oA8/s1600/100_7774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8zuP4SMSIaU/T_ERqAURgrI/AAAAAAAABAQ/tP5uHgU1oA8/s320/100_7774.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Monet's "Garden at Sainte-Andresse" - 1867</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MLWsmcziBUE/T_ERvKSxI1I/AAAAAAAABAY/-ly8H7A3FSQ/s1600/100_7776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MLWsmcziBUE/T_ERvKSxI1I/AAAAAAAABAY/-ly8H7A3FSQ/s320/100_7776.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Van Gogh's "Wheatfield with Cypresses" - 1889</div>
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This is the part of central park where we saw the two hottest Swedish chicks ever.</div>
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Once back in Boston I went to the temple before heading out.</div>
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Spent a few minutes at the Hill Cumorah (outside of Palmyra, NY).</div>
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I hiked up the back side and had it all to my self.</div>
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It was a beautiful experience.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RwDAGkXtKB4/T_ESAzsqcXI/AAAAAAAABA4/j2gltxp2hS8/s1600/100_7782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RwDAGkXtKB4/T_ESAzsqcXI/AAAAAAAABA4/j2gltxp2hS8/s320/100_7782.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Moroni monument.</div>
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In the middle of Nebraska on my second day, a very large and very metal hubcap came off the truck in front of me. I didn't have any choice but to hit it, and my car dragged it. I pulled off and saw that it had trashed my front left bumper and ripped part of the plastic underside of the wheel well. So I put on my flashers and drove 40mph to Brule, Nebraska.</div>
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The guy at Duke's Auto Body told me to go explore the abandoned hotel across the street while they wired the plastic into place so I could make it home.</div>
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It was pretty.</div>
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There was reading material.</div>
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And the cliche rotting-deer-head-with-a-rake-in-its-eye.</div>
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The front desk.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-98ap6jsWlig/T_ESbPzY0-I/AAAAAAAABBo/2t-918CaG_g/s1600/100_7789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-98ap6jsWlig/T_ESbPzY0-I/AAAAAAAABBo/2t-918CaG_g/s320/100_7789.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The stairs (yes, I wanted to go up them; no, I didn't make it far)</div>
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This was the outside.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EzTbl_69J9s/T_ESkGKIV8I/AAAAAAAABB4/0COBGvFsJk0/s1600/100_7792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EzTbl_69J9s/T_ESkGKIV8I/AAAAAAAABB4/0COBGvFsJk0/s320/100_7792.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This was the back room.</div>
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Downtown Brule, NE</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-urKoNgUktPI/T_ES0mH5cXI/AAAAAAAABCQ/apjrV8UN1RY/s1600/100_7795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-urKoNgUktPI/T_ES0mH5cXI/AAAAAAAABCQ/apjrV8UN1RY/s320/100_7795.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Town map.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qZMBHJAo094/T_ES6Z8NVRI/AAAAAAAABCY/BVTUthGPF7A/s1600/100_7796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qZMBHJAo094/T_ES6Z8NVRI/AAAAAAAABCY/BVTUthGPF7A/s320/100_7796.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Stop sign AND a stop light.</div>
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The North Side.</div>
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Post office.</div>
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This is what the rest of Nebraska (and the states that touch it) looks like.</div>
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In Wyoming's Medicine Bow National Forest (which is gorgeous) there is a rest stop with a Lincoln Memorial. Kind of awesome.</div>
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Southern Utah.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z0nwfl7FkEY/T_ETcNFurSI/AAAAAAAABDI/uPdBcS5u8UA/s1600/100_7806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z0nwfl7FkEY/T_ETcNFurSI/AAAAAAAABDI/uPdBcS5u8UA/s320/100_7806.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I-80 going down into Salt Lake City was greener than I've ever seen.</div>
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Utah is beautiful in June. It'll be brown by August, but it's gorgeous now.</div>
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Time for a few weeks of home sweet home.</div>
<br />Calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478986722468607006noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146520262255821645.post-9061432566719314992012-05-22T11:05:00.002-04:002012-05-22T11:05:52.967-04:00Home Sweet WatertownRight after Christmas, I moved into a new house with three guys from my ward: Jake Wheeler, Matt Blakely, and Curtis Cannon. They're my heroes.<br />
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It's a good place. We have DirecTV, a very large television, a grill, a guest room, an office, and so on.<br />
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I'm looking to sublet my spot for the summer (maybe forever), so I took pictures of the place. So, just so I have a little bit of a record of the last few months of my life, here they are, in no particular order.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y6p1yToIhjg/T7upmA8X4mI/AAAAAAAAA-M/Cf5-2Bea55s/s1600/100_7744%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y6p1yToIhjg/T7upmA8X4mI/AAAAAAAAA-M/Cf5-2Bea55s/s320/100_7744%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The view from my bed. </div>
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My freaking sweet guitar rug.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ope_hCoWPPs/T7upsw3CePI/AAAAAAAAA-c/tYyiaXQbVo4/s1600/100_7748%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ope_hCoWPPs/T7upsw3CePI/AAAAAAAAA-c/tYyiaXQbVo4/s320/100_7748%5B1%5D.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Desk and art. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OuUaC-ZYMBg/T7upu85kKjI/AAAAAAAAA-k/9uVT7M2Sy30/s1600/100_7749%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OuUaC-ZYMBg/T7upu85kKjI/AAAAAAAAA-k/9uVT7M2Sy30/s320/100_7749%5B1%5D.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I don't know why I took a picture of my closet. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XqMG1ynSJIs/T7upxdkBTWI/AAAAAAAAA-s/9tk7jHvRiys/s1600/100_7752%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XqMG1ynSJIs/T7upxdkBTWI/AAAAAAAAA-s/9tk7jHvRiys/s320/100_7752%5B1%5D.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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The adorable bathroom I share with my little Curtis. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Q-3WDvqox0/T7upzn8OSCI/AAAAAAAAA-0/CrdMNcx-vO4/s1600/100_7757%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Q-3WDvqox0/T7upzn8OSCI/AAAAAAAAA-0/CrdMNcx-vO4/s320/100_7757%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Kitchen. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eFdu1ww4zUk/T7up6W-FChI/AAAAAAAAA_E/Hg_nJOR-clU/s1600/100_7759%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eFdu1ww4zUk/T7up6W-FChI/AAAAAAAAA_E/Hg_nJOR-clU/s320/100_7759%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Biggest backyard in the greater Boston area. That hammock = my life.</div>
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More kitchen.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fd63URm-INQ/T7uqA7xHZ2I/AAAAAAAAA_U/U4Hxyy9J8uc/s1600/100_7761%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fd63URm-INQ/T7uqA7xHZ2I/AAAAAAAAA_U/U4Hxyy9J8uc/s320/100_7761%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Dining/Front rooms.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8enQbITF8IU/T7uqFB3AnuI/AAAAAAAAA_c/P3FA-BF0gGc/s1600/100_7762%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8enQbITF8IU/T7uqFB3AnuI/AAAAAAAAA_c/P3FA-BF0gGc/s320/100_7762%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Again.</div>
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Le Couch.</div>Calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478986722468607006noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146520262255821645.post-30942797156445334372012-04-02T11:22:00.003-04:002012-04-02T11:26:43.556-04:00The World Is Too Much With MeI always wondered when the doors were going to start shutting.<br />
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</div><div>Although it is hard for me to do so, I'm going to admit to being discouraged lately. Discouraged and lost. World must have read the title of my blog, realized that Calvin has been kicking its butt, and fought back. When I sat down to write it out, the first line of a famous sonnet written by Wordsworth (a poet whose work, as a whole, I hate). Here's the sonnet:<br />
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<h4><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The world is too much with us; late and soon,<br />
Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers;<br />
Little we see in Nature that is ours;<br />
We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon!<br />
This Sea that bares her bosom to the moon;<br />
The winds that will be howling at all hours,<br />
And are up-gathered now like sleeping flowers,<br />
For this, for everything, we are out of tune;<br />
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It moves us not.--Great God! I'd rather be<br />
A pagan suckled in a creed outworn;<br />
So might I, standing on this pleasant lea,<br />
Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn;<br />
Have sight of Proteus rising from the sea;<br />
Or hear old Triton blow his wreathèd horn.</span></h4><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><div>Wordsworth is kicking against the industrial revolution, and it's not hard to tell that he's pretty bummed out with his world. I think I'm mostly just kicking against the crap hole that is America's economy as of late (thanks for nothing, Obama) and the fact that rejection wears many masks as of late. </div><div><br />
</div><div>I have a part-time job working as a translator for a medical company called QuantiaMD. It is my personal version of Hell (see also: cubicle), and they feed the flames by limiting my hours and employing me as a contract worker so they don't have to give me benefits and can fire me without a second thought. I have another glamourous job working retail for Eastern Mountain Sports. I love the people I work with, but EMS pays a wopping $1.50 over minimum wage (good thing I have two degrees) so even if I worked there full time I would have to forego one of the following every month: making rent, appeasing the debt gods with a slough of minimum payments, buying groceries, and paying tithing (which, for the record, has never and will never be foregone). </div></div></div><div><br />
</div><div>My car's timing belt has started a constant screaming and the clutch is iffy coming out of first gear.</div><div><br />
</div><div>I got rejected by 12 PhD programs after an application process that broke my brain and my bank account (I knew I should have used that $1400 to buy a motorcycle).</div><div><br />
</div><div>I don't have enough teaching experience to be a strong candidate for any of the three whole teaching jobs open in America right now, and I don't even get responses about applications I send for lower-than-dirt online adjunct teaching positions at world-class academic power houses like BYU-freaking-Idaho.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Don't even get me started about dating.</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div>My confidence, my patience, and my options are all running on empty, and the effects are spreading. Here are the two ways I gauge my difficulties: I don't sleep well, basketball has ceased to be enjoyable. BASKETBALL! I can't believe it.</div><div><br />
</div><div>I'm about ready to join the army and be done with it.</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/be/White_sands_soldiers1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/be/White_sands_soldiers1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">^ most likely future</div><div><br />
</div><div>Anyway, there's more to complain about, but I'm tired of feeling like this. It's not like me to get discouraged and hopefully it doesn't last, but I'm tired of knocking on doors that don't open and getting no direction on which door I should knock next. </div><div><br />
</div><div>The future is foggy to say the least. I just hope it doesn't take too long to get my bearings. </div>Calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478986722468607006noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146520262255821645.post-44256215553142006942012-02-11T14:26:00.001-05:002012-02-12T13:43:10.082-05:00Mr. Calvin Goes to WashingtonWhen I first got home from Europe (shoot, that's six months ago now), I applied for a job with the Foreign Service. There is/was a Consular Adjudicator position open in Brazil. The first leg of the application was six essays and an autobiographical statement. I passed that, and so I had a phone interview in Portuguese. I passed that, so they invited me to come to Washington, D.C. for two tests and an interview.<br />
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I can't tell you much (they swore me to secrecy), but I can tell you that I owned the interview. My final score, however, was .25 points below the cut-off, so I didn't make it onto the final list. Not gonna lie, it was a lot of fun to be walking around DC in a suit and getting clearance to enter government buildings. I kinda felt like James Bond.<br />
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So, I didn't get the job, but I stayed for the whole weekend and got to do quite a bit. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YqbELwUl4lQ/Tza5-zPlgaI/AAAAAAAAA6w/if-nnzqlL08/s1600/100_7602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YqbELwUl4lQ/Tza5-zPlgaI/AAAAAAAAA6w/if-nnzqlL08/s320/100_7602.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Took this on my way to the interview.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CqSO9V2koL0/Tza6Gbcnq-I/AAAAAAAAA64/RTzAAZfnRcI/s1600/100_7605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CqSO9V2koL0/Tza6Gbcnq-I/AAAAAAAAA64/RTzAAZfnRcI/s320/100_7605.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Obelisk.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Washington Monument was closed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's cracked from the earthquake (which I felt in Boston).</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ug2L3wiQZuw/Tza6KuBNf0I/AAAAAAAAA7A/CMz5_qUoOT0/s1600/100_7606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ug2L3wiQZuw/Tza6KuBNf0I/AAAAAAAAA7A/CMz5_qUoOT0/s320/100_7606.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yes.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6eg8oFQHPTM/Tza6W6UkWTI/AAAAAAAAA7I/OhCCGmEBsOc/s1600/100_7607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6eg8oFQHPTM/Tza6W6UkWTI/AAAAAAAAA7I/OhCCGmEBsOc/s320/100_7607.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I could spend years at this monument and never get sick of it.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9oCGqClvYI8/Tza6cwK06_I/AAAAAAAAA7Q/fYpabRbmlrw/s1600/100_7610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9oCGqClvYI8/Tza6cwK06_I/AAAAAAAAA7Q/fYpabRbmlrw/s320/100_7610.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I went to check out the Washington, D.C. temple.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's awesome.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rqCY9_ZSvvE/Tza6mTa9jtI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/e2_rWb3vTn8/s1600/100_7612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rqCY9_ZSvvE/Tza6mTa9jtI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/e2_rWb3vTn8/s320/100_7612.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Even the door decorations are awesome.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-scWdX3t_CDw/Tza6p_Ssu0I/AAAAAAAAA7g/Cq7OKChKcpg/s1600/100_7617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-scWdX3t_CDw/Tza6p_Ssu0I/AAAAAAAAA7g/Cq7OKChKcpg/s320/100_7617.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I got to see Sister Jones (the artist formerly known as Tiff).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She hasn't changed a bit.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g2UMZ2Chkxk/Tza6zG04s0I/AAAAAAAAA7o/przFPsc5E-Y/s1600/100_7619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g2UMZ2Chkxk/Tza6zG04s0I/AAAAAAAAA7o/przFPsc5E-Y/s320/100_7619.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I went to the National Gallery of Art.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had been to Scotland's, England's, and France's National Galleries.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I guess it was time to go to ours.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This and the next few pics are from Thomas Cole's series called "The Voyage of Life".</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Birth" is above.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wK_PZmU5oGs/Tza62qpAbLI/AAAAAAAAA7w/iZ4deGx4NxI/s1600/100_7621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wK_PZmU5oGs/Tza62qpAbLI/AAAAAAAAA7w/iZ4deGx4NxI/s320/100_7621.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Youth"</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yq4YTw8nHuI/Tza64raJwMI/AAAAAAAAA74/v4nlPw7TbK4/s1600/100_7624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yq4YTw8nHuI/Tza64raJwMI/AAAAAAAAA74/v4nlPw7TbK4/s320/100_7624.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Manhood"</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ba5cNKKkvq8/Tza66hLvSuI/AAAAAAAAA8A/Gj_taUjnV-M/s1600/100_7627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ba5cNKKkvq8/Tza66hLvSuI/AAAAAAAAA8A/Gj_taUjnV-M/s320/100_7627.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Old Age"</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SSjHK6aObCk/Tza7AGA2PhI/AAAAAAAAA8I/eLaEJHy7pa0/s1600/100_7629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SSjHK6aObCk/Tza7AGA2PhI/AAAAAAAAA8I/eLaEJHy7pa0/s320/100_7629.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Take Your Choice" by John Frederick Peto</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MM88tOFJr88/Tza7Crotf4I/AAAAAAAAA8Q/t9St3E88KN0/s1600/100_7630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MM88tOFJr88/Tza7Crotf4I/AAAAAAAAA8Q/t9St3E88KN0/s320/100_7630.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Right and Left" by Winslow Homer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love the way the hunter changes the perspective of the title.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Phenomenal.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1jnS4THxCPE/Tza7NM5OvFI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/Ur27wN3Qq0E/s1600/100_7631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1jnS4THxCPE/Tza7NM5OvFI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/Ur27wN3Qq0E/s320/100_7631.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I took random pictures of the Mall.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FJJbukPCi7c/Tza7S0j98RI/AAAAAAAAA8g/smcsAQt7vRY/s1600/100_7660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FJJbukPCi7c/Tza7S0j98RI/AAAAAAAAA8g/smcsAQt7vRY/s320/100_7660.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The one and only Brad Meehan.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He put me up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He entertained me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He introduced me to beautiful women.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He is the coolest person alive.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ilf4NKPf2aA/Tza7WWRo21I/AAAAAAAAA8o/_HxgH8pfQ24/s1600/100_7639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ilf4NKPf2aA/Tza7WWRo21I/AAAAAAAAA8o/_HxgH8pfQ24/s320/100_7639.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We showed modern art what we think of it.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hKYFEvZDNYI/Tza8cAup6EI/AAAAAAAAA8w/R9UsFZuj9ZY/s1600/Cannon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hKYFEvZDNYI/Tza8cAup6EI/AAAAAAAAA8w/R9UsFZuj9ZY/s320/Cannon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We took pictures in front of cannons.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's a tradition I'm not going to explain here.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RkXbo7HB3GI/Tza8pM9d8tI/AAAAAAAAA84/wD2y42unToA/s1600/100_7643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RkXbo7HB3GI/Tza8pM9d8tI/AAAAAAAAA84/wD2y42unToA/s320/100_7643.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Brad's not as in to art as he'd like to be, so we I suggested the National Gallery of Art.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Houses of Parliament" by Monet.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bpYaiJxXzbs/Tza8tizoC_I/AAAAAAAAA9A/4i1-NEP9a0w/s1600/100_7648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bpYaiJxXzbs/Tza8tizoC_I/AAAAAAAAA9A/4i1-NEP9a0w/s320/100_7648.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"The Dead Toreador" by Manet.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m7lwQoOoJu8/Tza8yG8JQdI/AAAAAAAAA9I/-OnfZTZgiEM/s1600/100_7650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m7lwQoOoJu8/Tza8yG8JQdI/AAAAAAAAA9I/-OnfZTZgiEM/s320/100_7650.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"The Northern Whale Fishery: The 'Swan' and 'Isabella'" by John Ward of Hull.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_q9IdFx9aHI/Tza80WNtkrI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/ea4835fb4rM/s1600/100_7652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_q9IdFx9aHI/Tza80WNtkrI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/ea4835fb4rM/s320/100_7652.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Daniel in the Lions Den" by my boy Peter Paul Rubens.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love the immensity of his paintings.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7lA4kQajs3w/Tza83_RlTfI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/c61rSOAirPc/s1600/100_7657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7lA4kQajs3w/Tza83_RlTfI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/c61rSOAirPc/s320/100_7657.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That is a mean kitty.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KLQ02vrpiTA/Tza9GOugUmI/AAAAAAAAA9g/CdojiwyKQYk/s1600/100_7663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KLQ02vrpiTA/Tza9GOugUmI/AAAAAAAAA9g/CdojiwyKQYk/s320/100_7663.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Brad and I walked around the Capitol.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9yAwN2Y8k9g/Tza9Jfzd1nI/AAAAAAAAA9o/Na9rcEa6-Kk/s1600/100_7666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9yAwN2Y8k9g/Tza9Jfzd1nI/AAAAAAAAA9o/Na9rcEa6-Kk/s320/100_7666.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's pretty.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-stS9j6W_yjY/Tza9K_qCiLI/AAAAAAAAA9w/xRzg9MgPkw0/s1600/100_7670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-stS9j6W_yjY/Tza9K_qCiLI/AAAAAAAAA9w/xRzg9MgPkw0/s320/100_7670.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Great place for some man talk.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3waMgGi70a8/Tza9QXEfSJI/AAAAAAAAA94/kSRW0AVqYdQ/s1600/100_7676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3waMgGi70a8/Tza9QXEfSJI/AAAAAAAAA94/kSRW0AVqYdQ/s320/100_7676.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If only my camera could capture sunsets like I want it to.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-58ouPmoPtsU/Tza9RpNS-gI/AAAAAAAAA-A/3RQAnuoleCE/s1600/100_7681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-58ouPmoPtsU/Tza9RpNS-gI/AAAAAAAAA-A/3RQAnuoleCE/s320/100_7681.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gorgeous.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have always loved Washington, D.C., and this trip did nothing but remind me of that fact.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I left with no job and seven poems. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Totally worth it.</div>Calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478986722468607006noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146520262255821645.post-88859291274418172242012-01-24T00:02:00.000-05:002012-01-24T00:02:52.961-05:00New Glasses - Help Me PickAfter smashing my glasses for the umpteenth time in a snowball fight last weekend, I've decided it's high time I get new ones. These aren't the only ones I'll look at, but I found a website that will send me five frames to try out for five days (thank you <a href="http://warbyparker.com/">warbyparker.com</a>).<br />
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If you know me well you'll already know which ones I like the most, but I'm not sold on anything quite yet. Tell me what you think. Comments here, facebook, texts, vibes, whatever. Ready, go.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vDkgJ7NOTNw/Tx46M6EXF8I/AAAAAAAAA6I/YcEiFLMPnFA/s1600/100_7582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vDkgJ7NOTNw/Tx46M6EXF8I/AAAAAAAAA6I/YcEiFLMPnFA/s320/100_7582.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Japhy</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ILhZ_d99lgU/Tx46Qs2dtvI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/Bev5BGc6750/s1600/100_7584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ILhZ_d99lgU/Tx46Qs2dtvI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/Bev5BGc6750/s320/100_7584.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Larkin</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SGMvjq6U3dI/Tx46XFpnDFI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/1_5UiSh43eA/s1600/100_7585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SGMvjq6U3dI/Tx46XFpnDFI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/1_5UiSh43eA/s320/100_7585.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nedwin</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LoI_2YVHSG4/Tx46aoK6oYI/AAAAAAAAA6g/Ec-KHFiDPVI/s1600/100_7598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LoI_2YVHSG4/Tx46aoK6oYI/AAAAAAAAA6g/Ec-KHFiDPVI/s320/100_7598.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thompson</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Ulf2957RSA/Tx46dSr4LJI/AAAAAAAAA6o/jeLcrRZhqAo/s1600/100_7600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Ulf2957RSA/Tx46dSr4LJI/AAAAAAAAA6o/jeLcrRZhqAo/s320/100_7600.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Roosevelt</div>Calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478986722468607006noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146520262255821645.post-20409351937500843062011-12-17T16:23:00.004-05:002011-12-18T01:48:46.212-05:00Still in Love with Boston.Here's what I've been doing in Boston over the last few months. It's not a comprehensive list, but it's time to put up some more pictures.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LiQHUX-dF8U/Tu0BzPMbKuI/AAAAAAAAA4c/WMDhDvWzyJA/s1600/304826_10150764162295533_600695532_20572889_2561736_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LiQHUX-dF8U/Tu0BzPMbKuI/AAAAAAAAA4c/WMDhDvWzyJA/s320/304826_10150764162295533_600695532_20572889_2561736_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Reed, Al, Mel, and I went to the 2011 Red Bull Cliff Diving Championship.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ywR1uTi2nD8/Tu0CBW-idqI/AAAAAAAAA4k/-ICrfkbF3ho/s1600/100_7543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ywR1uTi2nD8/Tu0CBW-idqI/AAAAAAAAA4k/-ICrfkbF3ho/s320/100_7543.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They jumped off the Institute of Contemporary Art.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(The professional divers. Not Reed, Al, and/or Mel.)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aMWHZ0xmONE/Tu0CHJuMLhI/AAAAAAAAA4s/gKJaPcelyMo/s1600/100_7544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aMWHZ0xmONE/Tu0CHJuMLhI/AAAAAAAAA4s/gKJaPcelyMo/s320/100_7544.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No, seriously, they jumped off the Institute of Contemporary Art.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzhco7ESvglT9ZIFrmjROlxq6nsO6I92ulqsqiOlfqRGuBwBQZHCjjKp0rHlgGQYu1okv6nQ7awUrKkov0gjA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I want to do it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was inspired.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oc-bG_8zoUM/Tu0EHbuke7I/AAAAAAAAA48/7U6ys-ndDxU/s1600/316849_10150367257664490_509699489_8071135_1483156660_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oc-bG_8zoUM/Tu0EHbuke7I/AAAAAAAAA48/7U6ys-ndDxU/s320/316849_10150367257664490_509699489_8071135_1483156660_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I went camping.</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IrjJNHI69O4/Tu0EYXofmjI/AAAAAAAAA5M/4LMGHgOVo3k/s1600/166954_2215046289967_1061850034_2003966_746958807_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IrjJNHI69O4/Tu0EYXofmjI/AAAAAAAAA5M/4LMGHgOVo3k/s320/166954_2215046289967_1061850034_2003966_746958807_n.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Danielle and I dressed up as Calvin and Hobbes for Halloween.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lZyBsejRoNk/Tu0EY19ZdqI/AAAAAAAAA5U/mYZzANNeYnQ/s1600/308304_10150764223110533_600695532_20573724_1370028_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lZyBsejRoNk/Tu0EY19ZdqI/AAAAAAAAA5U/mYZzANNeYnQ/s320/308304_10150764223110533_600695532_20573724_1370028_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I helped people move. So did Nishan, Austin, and Michael.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1-827wLQ6PE/Tu0EaLwq81I/AAAAAAAAA5c/e6kVOig0Qfo/s1600/319941_10150764224290533_600695532_20573743_4123054_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1-827wLQ6PE/Tu0EaLwq81I/AAAAAAAAA5c/e6kVOig0Qfo/s320/319941_10150764224290533_600695532_20573743_4123054_n.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've noticed that I'm the only one working in these pictures.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jkMZijnMK7E/Tu0Ea5FSE_I/AAAAAAAAA5k/6z2Wcr7SS84/s1600/320257_10150367267409490_509699489_8071210_481285225_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jkMZijnMK7E/Tu0Ea5FSE_I/AAAAAAAAA5k/6z2Wcr7SS84/s320/320257_10150367267409490_509699489_8071210_481285225_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I grew a mustache.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">McCall grew one, too, but she shaved for this picture.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SQszcCUQu-I/Tu0Ebu96P_I/AAAAAAAAA5s/wrWUan7VZsE/s1600/323323_10150409093324490_509699489_8267568_276679319_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SQszcCUQu-I/Tu0Ebu96P_I/AAAAAAAAA5s/wrWUan7VZsE/s320/323323_10150409093324490_509699489_8267568_276679319_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I ate sushi. The one on the far left is a caterpillar.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dema ate earwax.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A1ThFI0FWvU/Tu0EdReFCsI/AAAAAAAAA50/Mxzz_3V85wg/s1600/331580_10150343904469490_509699489_7951668_468370374_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A1ThFI0FWvU/Tu0EdReFCsI/AAAAAAAAA50/Mxzz_3V85wg/s320/331580_10150343904469490_509699489_7951668_468370374_o.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I hugged a giant teddy bear at Costco.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R4X7_Pl-5DE/Tu0EpBRnBuI/AAAAAAAAA58/HZ_TgwchFl4/s1600/100_7559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R4X7_Pl-5DE/Tu0EpBRnBuI/AAAAAAAAA58/HZ_TgwchFl4/s320/100_7559.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And I ate a bunch of Chex.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cinnamon Chex aren't as good as Honey Nut Chex, but they're ok.</div><br />
So that's that.<br />
<br />
I'm currently applying to PhD programs. Twelve of them, to be exact: Harvard, Yale, Chicago, Rutgers, UT-Austin, Washington, UCLA, Stanford, Berkeley, NYU, Cornell, and Columbia. It's a prestigious list (because I have a big head).<br />
<br />
I've also made it through two rounds of the Foreign Service hiring process. There's an opening in Brazil. I didn't even have to take the FSOT (the Foreign Service test). A few months ago I filled out an application, which included six essays, and then last Monday I passed the over-the-telephone preliminary language test. We talked politics, which is not my strong suit, but I passed. I'm pretty sure the next step is to go to Washington DC for a face-to-face interview. Guess we'll see.<br />
<br />
Anyways, I'm rambling, so this post should end. Maybe I'll take pictures of places I work next (there are currently three of them) for the next one.<br />
<br />
Maybe not.Calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478986722468607006noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146520262255821645.post-86775370966286117412011-11-01T12:12:00.000-04:002011-11-01T12:12:10.955-04:00Catching Up With Boston - Yankees/SoxMaking time for a blog post.<br />
<br />
After Europe I came back to Boston. A few days later Grandma Olsen passed away, so I went to Boise for a few days. Then I came back to Boston again, and I've been here since. I've done some pretty rad things in the last few weeks, so I'll try to get those up asap.<br />
<br />
For today, here's a few pics from the day Reed and I went to see the Red Sox play the Yankees at Fenway (hooray for Reed not being able to find a girl to take).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--tuqA-OnBK0/TrAYBRGojYI/AAAAAAAAA2k/ON4KQrxLKAA/s1600/DSC04012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--tuqA-OnBK0/TrAYBRGojYI/AAAAAAAAA2k/ON4KQrxLKAA/s320/DSC04012.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Boo ya, Reed.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6ZGYbJr0Dxc/TrAYEESgZxI/AAAAAAAAA2s/ZmsExnnINFk/s1600/DSC04013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6ZGYbJr0Dxc/TrAYEESgZxI/AAAAAAAAA2s/ZmsExnnINFk/s320/DSC04013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Boo ya, pizza.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Ph_LGqFhSc/TrAYHu8JwmI/AAAAAAAAA20/GLwflaGPZmM/s1600/DSC04014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Ph_LGqFhSc/TrAYHu8JwmI/AAAAAAAAA20/GLwflaGPZmM/s320/DSC04014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Boo ya, seats behind home plate.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KxRJMbYDJnw/TrAYJxN-8_I/AAAAAAAAA28/1CEZMVkKajs/s1600/DSC04015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KxRJMbYDJnw/TrAYJxN-8_I/AAAAAAAAA28/1CEZMVkKajs/s320/DSC04015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Boo ya, $14-worth of food.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ukdDU2IHnxk/TrAYOOzDh6I/AAAAAAAAA3E/pXb5sUnOBA4/s1600/DSC04016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ukdDU2IHnxk/TrAYOOzDh6I/AAAAAAAAA3E/pXb5sUnOBA4/s320/DSC04016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Boo ya, Fenway.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XADQaLgcy7E/TrAYT-wU1II/AAAAAAAAA3M/cdQLRRPuO4U/s1600/DSC04017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XADQaLgcy7E/TrAYT-wU1II/AAAAAAAAA3M/cdQLRRPuO4U/s320/DSC04017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Boo ya, first pitch.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vdaJvW3Ba90/TrAYXzIwgjI/AAAAAAAAA3U/VCcCkQ64hrM/s1600/DSC04018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vdaJvW3Ba90/TrAYXzIwgjI/AAAAAAAAA3U/VCcCkQ64hrM/s320/DSC04018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Boo ya, umpire meeting.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_TBu09pPZUo/TrAYcIohcII/AAAAAAAAA3c/OwnaLovHXyQ/s1600/DSC04019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_TBu09pPZUo/TrAYcIohcII/AAAAAAAAA3c/OwnaLovHXyQ/s320/DSC04019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Boo ya, Coca-Cola</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wagb4ULPfLw/TrAYeXhlNvI/AAAAAAAAA3k/rhl5iiPZA_4/s1600/DSC04020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wagb4ULPfLw/TrAYeXhlNvI/AAAAAAAAA3k/rhl5iiPZA_4/s320/DSC04020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Boo ya, Green Monster.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J3Cagb_Efjw/TrAYiEAO6tI/AAAAAAAAA3s/a-v2AtSUVxI/s1600/DSC04021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J3Cagb_Efjw/TrAYiEAO6tI/AAAAAAAAA3s/a-v2AtSUVxI/s320/DSC04021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Boo ya, soon to be a national landmark.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iII7sIDi1Gk/TrAYmEbvYfI/AAAAAAAAA30/gm9YDoPiVeA/s1600/DSC04022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iII7sIDi1Gk/TrAYmEbvYfI/AAAAAAAAA30/gm9YDoPiVeA/s320/DSC04022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Boo ya, Prudential Center.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p7L67vtSwRI/TrAYpE-43jI/AAAAAAAAA38/06ELmnSo-n0/s1600/DSC04023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p7L67vtSwRI/TrAYpE-43jI/AAAAAAAAA38/06ELmnSo-n0/s320/DSC04023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Boo ya, Derek Jeter.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TecrJT3zZVQ/TrAYs1waraI/AAAAAAAAA4E/O0XFU4eQTmw/s1600/DSC04024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TecrJT3zZVQ/TrAYs1waraI/AAAAAAAAA4E/O0XFU4eQTmw/s320/DSC04024.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Boo ya, anger management.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ex1JKBPBJw0/TrAYvysbUBI/AAAAAAAAA4M/f1v1kwuq9ns/s1600/DSC04025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ex1JKBPBJw0/TrAYvysbUBI/AAAAAAAAA4M/f1v1kwuq9ns/s320/DSC04025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Boo ya, nightfall.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RzJFHSvTx7U/TrAYzBQmS-I/AAAAAAAAA4U/5Ch73i5O-jc/s1600/DSC04026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RzJFHSvTx7U/TrAYzBQmS-I/AAAAAAAAA4U/5Ch73i5O-jc/s320/DSC04026.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Boo ya, Boston.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Who cares if we lost? It's baseball anyways.</div>Calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478986722468607006noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146520262255821645.post-79342186865490222292011-10-20T00:46:00.000-04:002011-10-20T00:46:51.642-04:00I'm AliveGoodness, I haven't updated my blog for ages.<br />
<br />
I'm a little busy.<br />
<br />
<ul><li>I work M, W, F, Sat waiting tables at Bartley's Burger Cottage (best burger in Boston).</li>
<li>I work T, Th, F, Sat as a "guide" at Eastern Mountain Sports.</li>
<li>I'm studying to take the GRE Subject in English Literature test November 12th.</li>
<li>I can't wait to add "PhD applications" to my to-do and expenses lists.</li>
<li>I was working a third job as a corporate drone at a place called Brightcove, which I quit in the middle of my time there because I was so bloody bored I could have died.</li>
<li>I'm interviewing for a different third job (translating medical websites into Portuguese).</li>
<li>I'm trying to find time to write and revise poetry, and I have yet to find time to submit like I should be.</li>
<li>I am living out of my backpack in a hallway in Allston, MA, and at least once a week I'm sleeping somewhere else.</li>
<li>I have amazing friends (I stay with some, I do laundry at others' places, I hang out with lots of them, I wouldn't mind dating one of them but that's another story for another day...maybe).</li>
<li>I constantly debate whether or not I'm supposed to be here (or anywhere, for that matter).</li>
<li>BSU Football and team sports (M, Th, generally) keep me sane.</li>
<li>I'm getting sick, but that's easy enough to ignore.</li>
<li>I'm tired.</li>
</ul><div>Good night, world. Updates later.</div>Calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478986722468607006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146520262255821645.post-90519836771761545442011-09-15T20:13:00.000-04:002011-09-15T20:13:31.664-04:00BEARD! - The Greatest Thing I Ever DidI didn't take a razor to Europe.<div>I did, however, take a picture of myself almost every morning to track the growth of my beard.</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>Behold it in all its glory!</b></div><div><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7juk2KeW3ms/TnKOTupGXhI/AAAAAAAAAyc/ZzXtlrNkUNg/s1600/100_3753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7juk2KeW3ms/TnKOTupGXhI/AAAAAAAAAyc/ZzXtlrNkUNg/s320/100_3753.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2zrQ3A44ijc/TnKOYSraeoI/AAAAAAAAAyg/Km-guKi9iwo/s1600/100_3757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2zrQ3A44ijc/TnKOYSraeoI/AAAAAAAAAyg/Km-guKi9iwo/s320/100_3757.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kz7Nm9MCQiA/TnKOdP2igWI/AAAAAAAAAyk/pmhJnzwsHgM/s1600/100_3767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kz7Nm9MCQiA/TnKOdP2igWI/AAAAAAAAAyk/pmhJnzwsHgM/s320/100_3767.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mVAIZGAQLYk/TnKOhoHdJMI/AAAAAAAAAyo/7fLOTa-HZIo/s1600/100_3768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mVAIZGAQLYk/TnKOhoHdJMI/AAAAAAAAAyo/7fLOTa-HZIo/s320/100_3768.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--h7Z_PMb_0U/TnKOnOV0iiI/AAAAAAAAAys/ygK-ANcSyM4/s1600/100_3770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--h7Z_PMb_0U/TnKOnOV0iiI/AAAAAAAAAys/ygK-ANcSyM4/s320/100_3770.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iWpjvWbeQbQ/TnKOvAYjcJI/AAAAAAAAAyw/-P5WFOwzJW0/s1600/100_3774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iWpjvWbeQbQ/TnKOvAYjcJI/AAAAAAAAAyw/-P5WFOwzJW0/s320/100_3774.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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</b></div>Calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478986722468607006noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146520262255821645.post-26367404491393234902011-09-10T15:27:00.001-04:002011-09-10T15:29:23.692-04:00The Global Fellowship Ends in RomeNow that I've been back for a month, it's probably a good idea to put up my final post for the Robert Pinsky Global Fellowship.<br />
<br />
Two nights before I left Rome for Boston, my friend Alyssa told me she was going to be in Rome with her family for a few days. It was perfect timing. Brenda's flight left Saturday morning, and the Wiests were going to be doing their touristy stuff on Saturday evening.<br />
<br />
So I saw Brenda off, visited the two patriarchal basilicas I hadn't seen yet, wrote a couple of "last" poems, and then hung out with Alyssa and her family for my last night in Europe.<br />
<br />
Pics.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JvOTvhnInR8/TmuvAh9gjcI/AAAAAAAAAwY/nUjg6ZdkHjk/s1600/100_7368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JvOTvhnInR8/TmuvAh9gjcI/AAAAAAAAAwY/nUjg6ZdkHjk/s320/100_7368.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">San Giovanni in Laterano</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-23I2MdSXAOs/TmutA6YEtbI/AAAAAAAAAv0/mjrykqFdCcA/s1600/100_7321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-23I2MdSXAOs/TmutA6YEtbI/AAAAAAAAAv0/mjrykqFdCcA/s320/100_7321.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Obelisk outside SGiL</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-86YSzG2g1u4/Tmutdz2pRHI/AAAAAAAAAv4/MZt6V0m2voI/s1600/100_7324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-86YSzG2g1u4/Tmutdz2pRHI/AAAAAAAAAv4/MZt6V0m2voI/s320/100_7324.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fancy.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Md26TQzNVf0/TmutlM9mS0I/AAAAAAAAAv8/IRb36rXYtyU/s1600/100_7327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Md26TQzNVf0/TmutlM9mS0I/AAAAAAAAAv8/IRb36rXYtyU/s320/100_7327.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fancier.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2-ZLt5GOJ58/Tmutszrt-oI/AAAAAAAAAwA/mTz6Ha7s_gQ/s1600/100_7328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2-ZLt5GOJ58/Tmutszrt-oI/AAAAAAAAAwA/mTz6Ha7s_gQ/s320/100_7328.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ceiling.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WArUszkdu-A/Tmut4B7MshI/AAAAAAAAAwE/O6TgA3M9UMw/s1600/100_7337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WArUszkdu-A/Tmut4B7MshI/AAAAAAAAAwE/O6TgA3M9UMw/s320/100_7337.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The main hall is lined with statues of the apostles.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UHR2nSeLAMg/TmuuGPQYY8I/AAAAAAAAAwI/D2RJeNKrqQs/s1600/100_7343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UHR2nSeLAMg/TmuuGPQYY8I/AAAAAAAAAwI/D2RJeNKrqQs/s320/100_7343.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">St. Bartholomeu.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VbhNAZLPGsg/TmuuTP9VgEI/AAAAAAAAAwM/BCEGzXE3jdQ/s1600/100_7348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VbhNAZLPGsg/TmuuTP9VgEI/AAAAAAAAAwM/BCEGzXE3jdQ/s320/100_7348.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">St. Phillip.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AMVQayZ64NY/TmuuZdhzU8I/AAAAAAAAAwQ/i0FwMBAcucc/s1600/100_7350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AMVQayZ64NY/TmuuZdhzU8I/AAAAAAAAAwQ/i0FwMBAcucc/s320/100_7350.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">St. Peter.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a4fxSnvO6iw/TmuugdJgBMI/AAAAAAAAAwU/A4CYroLHeCo/s1600/100_7338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a4fxSnvO6iw/TmuugdJgBMI/AAAAAAAAAwU/A4CYroLHeCo/s320/100_7338.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The altar only the Pope is allowed to use for mass.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6VBlBjo78q0/TmuvUGYYQFI/AAAAAAAAAwc/QCY1Y3Ufcco/s1600/100_7370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6VBlBjo78q0/TmuvUGYYQFI/AAAAAAAAAwc/QCY1Y3Ufcco/s320/100_7370.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lID18fe5zaE/Tmuvbhloz5I/AAAAAAAAAwg/3Etn_22YHn8/s1600/100_7373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lID18fe5zaE/Tmuvbhloz5I/AAAAAAAAAwg/3Etn_22YHn8/s320/100_7373.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">San Paolo Fuori le Mura.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_zZEBDswwTw/Tmuvhk2keDI/AAAAAAAAAwk/ra-NqiF2DO0/s1600/100_7374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_zZEBDswwTw/Tmuvhk2keDI/AAAAAAAAAwk/ra-NqiF2DO0/s320/100_7374.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Clock tower.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-egq1CRitEX8/TmuvoZUldkI/AAAAAAAAAwo/SgVBdDjfNW4/s1600/100_7376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-egq1CRitEX8/TmuvoZUldkI/AAAAAAAAAwo/SgVBdDjfNW4/s320/100_7376.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not-so-pretty side of SPFLM.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AvbFZtD4oOg/TmuvsaHEx8I/AAAAAAAAAws/ylet797gZ78/s1600/100_7378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AvbFZtD4oOg/TmuvsaHEx8I/AAAAAAAAAws/ylet797gZ78/s320/100_7378.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love this pic.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uf3TwPTYdjQ/Tmuv32vElCI/AAAAAAAAAww/EXn1qFSH6OQ/s1600/100_7385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uf3TwPTYdjQ/Tmuv32vElCI/AAAAAAAAAww/EXn1qFSH6OQ/s320/100_7385.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pillar.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MMyh9b79pt4/Tmuv-cR8HjI/AAAAAAAAAw0/sahGM0toYMc/s1600/100_7395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MMyh9b79pt4/Tmuv-cR8HjI/AAAAAAAAAw0/sahGM0toYMc/s320/100_7395.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wall murals depicting scenes from St. Paul's life and ministry.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UWDsVNWjGMw/TmuwLi4hQoI/AAAAAAAAAw4/4xjCmuf90oY/s1600/100_7402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UWDsVNWjGMw/TmuwLi4hQoI/AAAAAAAAAw4/4xjCmuf90oY/s320/100_7402.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C4NyXeKdnJ4/TmuwQ3ND5xI/AAAAAAAAAw8/AohTyLgt36I/s1600/100_7406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C4NyXeKdnJ4/TmuwQ3ND5xI/AAAAAAAAAw8/AohTyLgt36I/s320/100_7406.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fancy.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--efJUS1-ABA/TmuwVLrnVPI/AAAAAAAAAxA/5NajdbAw8WM/s1600/100_7408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--efJUS1-ABA/TmuwVLrnVPI/AAAAAAAAAxA/5NajdbAw8WM/s320/100_7408.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The burial place of St. Paul.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-56NZgQ8yvY8/TmuwY5Q3Y1I/AAAAAAAAAxE/oLBBtg_DXJE/s1600/100_7416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-56NZgQ8yvY8/TmuwY5Q3Y1I/AAAAAAAAAxE/oLBBtg_DXJE/s320/100_7416.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Awesome.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jEimX1X0SW8/Tmuwir6MU-I/AAAAAAAAAxI/Z6uy-VHtUNY/s1600/100_7421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jEimX1X0SW8/Tmuwir6MU-I/AAAAAAAAAxI/Z6uy-VHtUNY/s320/100_7421.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I want one of these in my house when I grow up.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QH9oOrPgvaE/TmuwpKlOSsI/AAAAAAAAAxM/_iS4q9OosRM/s1600/100_7423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QH9oOrPgvaE/TmuwpKlOSsI/AAAAAAAAAxM/_iS4q9OosRM/s320/100_7423.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Detail.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NheXPCe0bIg/TmuwwAfkuII/AAAAAAAAAxQ/frZqpfmK3GQ/s1600/100_7428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NheXPCe0bIg/TmuwwAfkuII/AAAAAAAAAxQ/frZqpfmK3GQ/s320/100_7428.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For some reason I paid to go see the garden.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I53pkkxmQLs/Tmuw6osFDuI/AAAAAAAAAxU/8MD92EV_BNo/s1600/100_7434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I53pkkxmQLs/Tmuw6osFDuI/AAAAAAAAAxU/8MD92EV_BNo/s320/100_7434.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But the tiled pillars were sweet.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kJ4spvTXvBw/TmuxKLFX47I/AAAAAAAAAxc/64vrwsqr8Nk/s1600/100_7446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kJ4spvTXvBw/TmuxKLFX47I/AAAAAAAAAxc/64vrwsqr8Nk/s320/100_7446.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That's a lot of relics. Including a bone from Mary Magdalene's arm and a piece of Paul's staff.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CYtU3rGOdhU/TmuxQvsLU0I/AAAAAAAAAxg/lnMVwCXrS58/s1600/100_7452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CYtU3rGOdhU/TmuxQvsLU0I/AAAAAAAAAxg/lnMVwCXrS58/s320/100_7452.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then I went outside.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_eCY3sughx4/TmuxnPQ2ZLI/AAAAAAAAAxk/d1cnXjxR7bI/s1600/100_7456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_eCY3sughx4/TmuxnPQ2ZLI/AAAAAAAAAxk/d1cnXjxR7bI/s320/100_7456.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And holy crap am I glad I did.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pHjXnksPj-U/Tmuxupo7jtI/AAAAAAAAAxo/ca2eKefD8wk/s1600/100_7459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pHjXnksPj-U/Tmuxupo7jtI/AAAAAAAAAxo/ca2eKefD8wk/s320/100_7459.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh, hey, St. Paul.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9YosbAa6VgM/Tmux1zqfZ_I/AAAAAAAAAxs/3dkF79Ivbbk/s1600/100_7464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9YosbAa6VgM/Tmux1zqfZ_I/AAAAAAAAAxs/3dkF79Ivbbk/s320/100_7464.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This might be my favorite church front ever.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HIdFy9_N8MQ/Tmux7Y4bdbI/AAAAAAAAAxw/JkRkBXyYzpM/s1600/100_7467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HIdFy9_N8MQ/Tmux7Y4bdbI/AAAAAAAAAxw/JkRkBXyYzpM/s320/100_7467.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Later I walked to the San Clemente church.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Under that 13th century church is a 6th century church.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They didn't know the 6th century church existed when they built the one that now stands.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then the monks got bored and started digging.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They found a pagan temple under the 6th century church.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This pic (way up there now that I'm talking so much) is of a pagan altar.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yay for not-allowed pictures.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vCSGCykqwt4/TmuyUaN4JEI/AAAAAAAAAx0/N9tX2Mw3HjI/s1600/Wiests+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vCSGCykqwt4/TmuyUaN4JEI/AAAAAAAAAx0/N9tX2Mw3HjI/s320/Wiests+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Steph, Megan, Alyssa, Sierra, and Jeff at the Forum.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ewd9shEfsYI/Tmuyc3eSfiI/AAAAAAAAAx4/_iE0r3p3SX0/s1600/100_7476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ewd9shEfsYI/Tmuyc3eSfiI/AAAAAAAAAx4/_iE0r3p3SX0/s320/100_7476.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I couldn't find a pink purse that I liked.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1aAadpNd_S4/Tmuyh_9m0YI/AAAAAAAAAx8/U8yWf3FxkW8/s1600/Wiests+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1aAadpNd_S4/Tmuyh_9m0YI/AAAAAAAAAx8/U8yWf3FxkW8/s320/Wiests+2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dana in one of my favorite Italy pictures.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ES6SDYxxdtQ/Tmuynl1Y0II/AAAAAAAAAyA/rJKLWCDtqWQ/s1600/100_7481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ES6SDYxxdtQ/Tmuynl1Y0II/AAAAAAAAAyA/rJKLWCDtqWQ/s320/100_7481.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We had dinner here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6EbkWO4By9A/TmuyrjIG-qI/AAAAAAAAAyE/Cuo2odrGP40/s1600/100_7483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6EbkWO4By9A/TmuyrjIG-qI/AAAAAAAAAyE/Cuo2odrGP40/s320/100_7483.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love Bernini's <em>Four Rivers</em> fountain.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3APxviwooaE/TmuzRck4zDI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/N3vh2HWnR1Y/s1600/100_7486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3APxviwooaE/TmuzRck4zDI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/N3vh2HWnR1Y/s320/100_7486.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Pantheon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S2YeciYaMZQ/TmuzW_vPQEI/AAAAAAAAAyU/HDcx5Lf9orE/s1600/Wiests+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S2YeciYaMZQ/TmuzW_vPQEI/AAAAAAAAAyU/HDcx5Lf9orE/s320/Wiests+3.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Random man, Steph, Alyssa, Dana, Mark, Sierra, Jeff, and Megan.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8zDtGWAm0SM/TmuzbfD3oPI/AAAAAAAAAyY/QopL7dOSVVU/s1600/100_7487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8zDtGWAm0SM/TmuzbfD3oPI/AAAAAAAAAyY/QopL7dOSVVU/s320/100_7487.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I heard the Trevi is better at night.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I disagree.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">~</div><br />
To say that the Robert Pinsky Global Fellowship was the opportunity of a lifetime would be an understatement. My translation project was fantastic, the opportunity to travel and write was phenomenal, and the things I got to see and do were unbelieveable. <br />
<br />
I guess suppose it is fitting to end the account of my fellowship with a poem I composed along the way. This one was very much influenced by the work of Alberto de Lacerda (for example, I used his title) and I think it is a good representation of the type of poem I worked toward while on this trip.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>I Am Leaving</strong><br />
<br />
--after Alberto de Lacerda<br />
<br />
I am leaving<br />
Don't tell anyone<br />
<br />
How easy it is<br />
To go quietly<br />
<br />
Without saying goodbye<br />
I am leaving<br />
<br />
Don't tell anyone<br />
How easy it is<br />
<br />
To go quietly<br />
Without saying goodbyeCalvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478986722468607006noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146520262255821645.post-16474856121116632252011-09-04T19:54:00.000-04:002011-09-04T19:54:06.756-04:00PompeiOn Brenda's last full day in Rome, we decided to visit Pompei. We got up early and boarded a train to Naples, where we grabbed another train out to Pompei. It was different than I had imagined (larger and more intact), and I absolutely loved it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ihh9TGuk0fU/TmQJuxFOrZI/AAAAAAAAAso/-hoLrlqtato/s1600/100_7179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ihh9TGuk0fU/TmQJuxFOrZI/AAAAAAAAAso/-hoLrlqtato/s320/100_7179.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh hey, Mount Vesuvius.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uQ6FYSahW6o/TmQJzIheEbI/AAAAAAAAAsw/NqTwKDtVyzo/s1600/100_7185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uQ6FYSahW6o/TmQJzIheEbI/AAAAAAAAAsw/NqTwKDtVyzo/s320/100_7185.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Temple with the volcano in the background.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lWARu8Y5N1E/TmQJ06KecpI/AAAAAAAAAs0/_LuW-20uCCI/s1600/100_7188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lWARu8Y5N1E/TmQJ06KecpI/AAAAAAAAAs0/_LuW-20uCCI/s320/100_7188.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sun dial. Awesome.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SJkQO1qs6uo/TmQJ3KL51AI/AAAAAAAAAs4/EvhNRxaf-7g/s1600/100_7190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SJkQO1qs6uo/TmQJ3KL51AI/AAAAAAAAAs4/EvhNRxaf-7g/s320/100_7190.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Courthouse.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ulAmpRK-CxA/TmQJ6ZmMsCI/AAAAAAAAAtA/3ZwGUgvflsU/s1600/100_7195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ulAmpRK-CxA/TmQJ6ZmMsCI/AAAAAAAAAtA/3ZwGUgvflsU/s320/100_7195.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A few mosaics are still around. (More to come.)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BTXMi8jLJhY/TmQJ79w9vwI/AAAAAAAAAtE/gfW_8U7kM08/s1600/100_7196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BTXMi8jLJhY/TmQJ79w9vwI/AAAAAAAAAtE/gfW_8U7kM08/s320/100_7196.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A street in Pompei.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-unWF5kB-L-I/TmQJ9ZM3f2I/AAAAAAAAAtI/ylvle_CDR4A/s1600/100_7197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-unWF5kB-L-I/TmQJ9ZM3f2I/AAAAAAAAAtI/ylvle_CDR4A/s320/100_7197.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Houses of the well-to-do were very colorful.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G8FVsDor0S8/TmQJ-5j3NeI/AAAAAAAAAtM/NdyCq71HTrk/s1600/100_7198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G8FVsDor0S8/TmQJ-5j3NeI/AAAAAAAAAtM/NdyCq71HTrk/s320/100_7198.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Detail.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hrPLj2U4-r8/TmQKBdKj_kI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/4DShrc-YIt0/s1600/100_7200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hrPLj2U4-r8/TmQKBdKj_kI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/4DShrc-YIt0/s320/100_7200.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Artistic.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vZsjJS-FLBs/TmQKL_W9DhI/AAAAAAAAAtY/ueXXlTga_Mw/s1600/100_7203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vZsjJS-FLBs/TmQKL_W9DhI/AAAAAAAAAtY/ueXXlTga_Mw/s320/100_7203.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The few statues that survived are in a museum in Naples.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But the copies are pretty well done.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4M8hniHeOrc/TmQKNk1WvpI/AAAAAAAAAtc/F3nGsUZyT8w/s1600/100_7208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4M8hniHeOrc/TmQKNk1WvpI/AAAAAAAAAtc/F3nGsUZyT8w/s320/100_7208.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Altar depicting a bull sacrifice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They were much more happily made than bear sacrifices.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zdaMU-dJ-5w/TmQKPDkAvKI/AAAAAAAAAtg/hvdAKWhfFuU/s1600/100_7209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zdaMU-dJ-5w/TmQKPDkAvKI/AAAAAAAAAtg/hvdAKWhfFuU/s320/100_7209.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Twelve pillars that held up some type of altar.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Interesting, isn't it?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J7BLWVqbdAw/TmQKRs4OKRI/AAAAAAAAAtk/Nt1703BfFVk/s1600/100_7210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J7BLWVqbdAw/TmQKRs4OKRI/AAAAAAAAAtk/Nt1703BfFVk/s320/100_7210.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wall art.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M3Bybx56Udo/TmQKTSX0cZI/AAAAAAAAAto/E-mL8HFsHK8/s1600/100_7212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M3Bybx56Udo/TmQKTSX0cZI/AAAAAAAAAto/E-mL8HFsHK8/s320/100_7212.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Archaeologists discovered a few holes where people had been buried alive in ash.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The bodies had decomposed and were gone, but the imprints were still there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The head archaeologist had workers pour plaster into the holes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After drying, the plaster was pulled out of the ground.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You can even see the folds of the man's clothing.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lk2MtGh-jxs/TmQKVzybCkI/AAAAAAAAAts/m7x6xZI6fFU/s1600/100_7213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lk2MtGh-jxs/TmQKVzybCkI/AAAAAAAAAts/m7x6xZI6fFU/s320/100_7213.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Amazing.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MbtCk8Vo664/TmQKc1SnfII/AAAAAAAAAt0/Cujbxfhoves/s1600/100_7218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MbtCk8Vo664/TmQKc1SnfII/AAAAAAAAAt0/Cujbxfhoves/s320/100_7218.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This guy wasn't interested in being preserved in plaster form.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DPi5axBw7Uk/TmQKjYDLRvI/AAAAAAAAAt4/h1hajVCC9IQ/s1600/100_7222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DPi5axBw7Uk/TmQKjYDLRvI/AAAAAAAAAt4/h1hajVCC9IQ/s320/100_7222.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They've restored the Pompei Pizza on Main Street.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D8DZJoZlpxk/TmQKmGR_lwI/AAAAAAAAAt8/CKWGpnmsXeI/s1600/100_7227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D8DZJoZlpxk/TmQKmGR_lwI/AAAAAAAAAt8/CKWGpnmsXeI/s320/100_7227.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Community bath, anyone?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LhQiuRzSHlM/TmQKqjcDamI/AAAAAAAAAuA/k38Nmy2qnzM/s1600/100_7230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LhQiuRzSHlM/TmQKqjcDamI/AAAAAAAAAuA/k38Nmy2qnzM/s320/100_7230.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">People looked at me weird when I got naked and tried getting in to the tub.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No one appreciates the way I appreciate history.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On a similar note, my first time in England I made use of the oldest preserved Roman latrine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hjSgZxXsR64/TmQKxrBk2iI/AAAAAAAAAuE/Gwf9GfPiKII/s1600/100_7233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hjSgZxXsR64/TmQKxrBk2iI/AAAAAAAAAuE/Gwf9GfPiKII/s320/100_7233.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dog mosaic.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BAReOvDFn1s/TmQK2NhLwQI/AAAAAAAAAuI/AWPajlJYlg8/s1600/100_7236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BAReOvDFn1s/TmQK2NhLwQI/AAAAAAAAAuI/AWPajlJYlg8/s320/100_7236.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gate.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aH6rF-q_7Qg/TmQK5_-h3JI/AAAAAAAAAuM/qXhKe-iSp7I/s1600/100_7238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aH6rF-q_7Qg/TmQK5_-h3JI/AAAAAAAAAuM/qXhKe-iSp7I/s320/100_7238.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Have (pronounced Ave, like Ave Marie) means welcome.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CizHnG6uIBY/TmQK7WRl7PI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/LQ78_3kDvdc/s1600/100_7241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CizHnG6uIBY/TmQK7WRl7PI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/LQ78_3kDvdc/s320/100_7241.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The little statue in the pool at the House of the Fawn.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-91aC6Y6vENw/TmQK9AcWK3I/AAAAAAAAAuU/ccU3dqhwBM0/s1600/100_7243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-91aC6Y6vENw/TmQK9AcWK3I/AAAAAAAAAuU/ccU3dqhwBM0/s320/100_7243.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rich people had gardens.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2apOesdmWhA/TmQK_xHoEKI/AAAAAAAAAuY/XrU2D-FQOpE/s1600/100_7246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2apOesdmWhA/TmQK_xHoEKI/AAAAAAAAAuY/XrU2D-FQOpE/s320/100_7246.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is what I thought all of Pompei would look like.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hAaImi_Niv4/TmQLCzuCY5I/AAAAAAAAAug/DAuWbYLeKLk/s1600/100_7253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hAaImi_Niv4/TmQLCzuCY5I/AAAAAAAAAug/DAuWbYLeKLk/s320/100_7253.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Depiction of a pagan god in the town brothel.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-INcWTCMbtHY/TmQLEX8oVwI/AAAAAAAAAuk/JGRYC9_DWxs/s1600/100_7255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-INcWTCMbtHY/TmQLEX8oVwI/AAAAAAAAAuk/JGRYC9_DWxs/s320/100_7255.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Trees.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PIR9OrZCqQo/TmQLHMrfhfI/AAAAAAAAAuo/yh5ZAjsX1z0/s1600/100_7260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PIR9OrZCqQo/TmQLHMrfhfI/AAAAAAAAAuo/yh5ZAjsX1z0/s320/100_7260.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There are two stadiums. This is the larger of the two.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CWkiXtAiJKY/TmQLIlf5n8I/AAAAAAAAAus/_W8xmIt4a50/s1600/100_7264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CWkiXtAiJKY/TmQLIlf5n8I/AAAAAAAAAus/_W8xmIt4a50/s320/100_7264.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Statue at the smaller stadium.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RGLtGy1MT1w/TmQLJzwDZhI/AAAAAAAAAuw/5nCPCvGRBGA/s1600/100_7268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RGLtGy1MT1w/TmQLJzwDZhI/AAAAAAAAAuw/5nCPCvGRBGA/s320/100_7268.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is a crosswalk. No, seriously.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Notice the grooves made by the wheels of carts.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pHgUYh6VH5A/TmQLLUtuAsI/AAAAAAAAAu0/Gc1ylzKUmu4/s1600/100_7269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pHgUYh6VH5A/TmQLLUtuAsI/AAAAAAAAAu0/Gc1ylzKUmu4/s320/100_7269.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Temple to the Egyptian goddess Isis.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EjqyBXGSobI/TmQLNCEf9zI/AAAAAAAAAu4/vb1M01kAulY/s1600/100_7271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EjqyBXGSobI/TmQLNCEf9zI/AAAAAAAAAu4/vb1M01kAulY/s320/100_7271.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Again.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8twxj0BgTKQ/TmQLR2QJj-I/AAAAAAAAAu8/W5EBUoFJOBg/s1600/100_7275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8twxj0BgTKQ/TmQLR2QJj-I/AAAAAAAAAu8/W5EBUoFJOBg/s320/100_7275.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And again.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-reEi6u-6LIA/TmQLTbFYIyI/AAAAAAAAAvA/RM36-EGYyWw/s1600/100_7277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-reEi6u-6LIA/TmQLTbFYIyI/AAAAAAAAAvA/RM36-EGYyWw/s320/100_7277.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Engraving on a bench near the front of the large stadium.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DCtLZo0hTuQ/TmQLVMrNCqI/AAAAAAAAAvE/4OHDnSARLVs/s1600/100_7280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DCtLZo0hTuQ/TmQLVMrNCqI/AAAAAAAAAvE/4OHDnSARLVs/s320/100_7280.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pretty.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sVfHBAB2e20/TmQLXw4k24I/AAAAAAAAAvM/Ux7siKQ4Bpc/s1600/100_7288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sVfHBAB2e20/TmQLXw4k24I/AAAAAAAAAvM/Ux7siKQ4Bpc/s320/100_7288.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">South gate.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IgpGHSPIxoY/TmQLZb9s1rI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/F6LGkzmwwuk/s1600/100_7293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IgpGHSPIxoY/TmQLZb9s1rI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/F6LGkzmwwuk/s320/100_7293.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Romans had their dead buried outside the city walls.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EVZ7j_orzwI/TmQLeAIFL3I/AAAAAAAAAvc/bphtp3Y6t_U/s1600/100_7296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EVZ7j_orzwI/TmQLeAIFL3I/AAAAAAAAAvc/bphtp3Y6t_U/s320/100_7296.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Family graves.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OaiRNXrO9no/TmQLfvzstHI/AAAAAAAAAvg/b_Kv_jyudt8/s1600/100_7297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OaiRNXrO9no/TmQLfvzstHI/AAAAAAAAAvg/b_Kv_jyudt8/s320/100_7297.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What do you want on your tombstone?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M_VGe1PXdGc/TmQLhSRJNgI/AAAAAAAAAvk/V9ZhOmN8mSA/s1600/100_7299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M_VGe1PXdGc/TmQLhSRJNgI/AAAAAAAAAvk/V9ZhOmN8mSA/s320/100_7299.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Crossing the bridge to the arena.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8G-B3at3m4w/TmQLrZe573I/AAAAAAAAAvs/yqQ35A9cbBQ/s1600/100_7305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8G-B3at3m4w/TmQLrZe573I/AAAAAAAAAvs/yqQ35A9cbBQ/s320/100_7305.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Inside the arena.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IzNyNLz2WQU/TmQLvQFIWmI/AAAAAAAAAvw/gD3pO-XkXpI/s1600/100_7307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IzNyNLz2WQU/TmQLvQFIWmI/AAAAAAAAAvw/gD3pO-XkXpI/s320/100_7307.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Long live Pompei. Or...well, you know.</div><br />
Calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478986722468607006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146520262255821645.post-67530612765735607172011-08-26T14:19:00.000-04:002011-08-26T14:19:19.355-04:00Rome with BrendaI've finally found a little time to continue my Rome posts.<br />
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So after my first three days in Rome, in which I spent time recovering a little bit from the hardcore traveling I had been doing, my friend Brenda Heaton flew in for a few days of sightseeing.<br />
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Brenda is currently living in Birmingham, England, where she has been offered the job of MY dreams, and doesn't quite know whether she wants it. Tenure upon hire? Who does that? Better yet, who thinks twice about that? (Just kidding, Brenda, [mostly] I know you've got good reasons. And I'll still marry and come with you if you want.)<br />
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Essentially, we hit up all of the major sites in Rome. So if you've been to Rome there isn't much you haven't seen, other than the beautiful people in the pictures. <br />
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Pics.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AgFIrioJ39E/TlfUlVNAucI/AAAAAAAAApM/pPoUMKq3oLU/s1600/100_7032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AgFIrioJ39E/TlfUlVNAucI/AAAAAAAAApM/pPoUMKq3oLU/s320/100_7032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Meet Brenda.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ATTxMZHLw2E/TlfUzSJtarI/AAAAAAAAApQ/Mt_WIfwdz7I/s1600/100_7175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ATTxMZHLw2E/TlfUzSJtarI/AAAAAAAAApQ/Mt_WIfwdz7I/s320/100_7175.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm gonna pay for posting this, but I couldn't help it.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8bBil1Bgjl8/TlfTkZSB0yI/AAAAAAAAAow/rJ6lWtj3tpI/s1600/100_6838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8bBil1Bgjl8/TlfTkZSB0yI/AAAAAAAAAow/rJ6lWtj3tpI/s320/100_6838.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We saw the column. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mLBHMGDsDeY/TlfTpySJC-I/AAAAAAAAAo4/CG_zcbK0qfM/s1600/100_6842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mLBHMGDsDeY/TlfTpySJC-I/AAAAAAAAAo4/CG_zcbK0qfM/s320/100_6842.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love the Vitorianna. I think that's how you spell it.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-afT0ePZY72s/TlfTs9HBkZI/AAAAAAAAAo8/Y7XtpXraYIw/s1600/100_6845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-afT0ePZY72s/TlfTs9HBkZI/AAAAAAAAAo8/Y7XtpXraYIw/s320/100_6845.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love the sky.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ihFsG4BJkDc/TlfTy7S42SI/AAAAAAAAApA/oYV9ejwk1Xs/s1600/100_6849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ihFsG4BJkDc/TlfTy7S42SI/AAAAAAAAApA/oYV9ejwk1Xs/s320/100_6849.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Italia.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pOpy_yJ_uMU/TlfT7nlR9iI/AAAAAAAAApE/kyVUtN8tHCs/s1600/100_6856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pOpy_yJ_uMU/TlfT7nlR9iI/AAAAAAAAApE/kyVUtN8tHCs/s320/100_6856.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Baby Jesus statue, carved from a tree taken from the Garden of Gethsemane.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NidYaVSgMM8/TlfUBU3B_NI/AAAAAAAAApI/s7i_mwWNZGE/s1600/100_6863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NidYaVSgMM8/TlfUBU3B_NI/AAAAAAAAApI/s7i_mwWNZGE/s320/100_6863.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I can't get enough of this building.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u52qy-pudLA/TlfVHmCpesI/AAAAAAAAApU/I2_MYc6Uq0A/s1600/100_6864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u52qy-pudLA/TlfVHmCpesI/AAAAAAAAApU/I2_MYc6Uq0A/s320/100_6864.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Inside.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YWcUhDHIhHU/TlfVTBy3wRI/AAAAAAAAApY/TBIZ0qOwlaU/s1600/100_6881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YWcUhDHIhHU/TlfVTBy3wRI/AAAAAAAAApY/TBIZ0qOwlaU/s320/100_6881.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I read somewhere that black-and-whites bring out good architecture.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thoughts?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XeEJEF60b-Q/TlfVVl12WMI/AAAAAAAAApc/s1MVkVoY20g/s1600/100_6882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XeEJEF60b-Q/TlfVVl12WMI/AAAAAAAAApc/s1MVkVoY20g/s320/100_6882.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our tour guide was awesome.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He taught us how to be Roman citizens and look down our noses at everyone.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lAxddpMuk6c/TlfjAUkcHyI/AAAAAAAAAsk/dxwLXAWSBj0/s1600/B9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lAxddpMuk6c/TlfjAUkcHyI/AAAAAAAAAsk/dxwLXAWSBj0/s320/B9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Smile if you love the Colliseum.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TvX-zryG5y0/TlfVbiLjT-I/AAAAAAAAApg/JXg9htrtfIY/s1600/100_6890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TvX-zryG5y0/TlfVbiLjT-I/AAAAAAAAApg/JXg9htrtfIY/s320/100_6890.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We also visited the Forum.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LuBzsoH_Jeg/TlfVd7lRcDI/AAAAAAAAApk/FfigdtAPi2s/s1600/100_6892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LuBzsoH_Jeg/TlfVd7lRcDI/AAAAAAAAApk/FfigdtAPi2s/s320/100_6892.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o_jtQkdgZXs/TlfVlqbpW3I/AAAAAAAAApo/woZqgGwoXvo/s1600/100_6904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o_jtQkdgZXs/TlfVlqbpW3I/AAAAAAAAApo/woZqgGwoXvo/s320/100_6904.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SPjET1r9MxQ/TlfVnN5o0ZI/AAAAAAAAAps/AXI0G4fa4rE/s1600/100_6918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SPjET1r9MxQ/TlfVnN5o0ZI/AAAAAAAAAps/AXI0G4fa4rE/s320/100_6918.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Random kid taking pictures in my pictures.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b1W7q9mjRjw/TlfVuaefUOI/AAAAAAAAApw/wS5ILzuuEsg/s1600/100_6931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b1W7q9mjRjw/TlfVuaefUOI/AAAAAAAAApw/wS5ILzuuEsg/s320/100_6931.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We got kicked out when the place closed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tell me the little tiny man's face isn't priceless.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KNmOo4KGsk0/TlfVw-Nb0dI/AAAAAAAAAp0/u0bkSv9JaMU/s1600/100_6937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KNmOo4KGsk0/TlfVw-Nb0dI/AAAAAAAAAp0/u0bkSv9JaMU/s320/100_6937.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Weird and awesome moving statue at the Vatican.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BDoN8f0R3SA/TlfV1wHYCzI/AAAAAAAAAp4/-ZRAN53V0Cs/s1600/100_6946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BDoN8f0R3SA/TlfV1wHYCzI/AAAAAAAAAp4/-ZRAN53V0Cs/s320/100_6946.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If I could sculpt, I would sculpt this.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yS-VdKV-vQc/TlfV3cMw54I/AAAAAAAAAp8/0zuXkGg3nv0/s1600/100_6949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yS-VdKV-vQc/TlfV3cMw54I/AAAAAAAAAp8/0zuXkGg3nv0/s320/100_6949.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Chillin.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LJVApetBjD8/TlfWAsTVDuI/AAAAAAAAAqA/XghmnMj_0SE/s1600/100_6952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LJVApetBjD8/TlfWAsTVDuI/AAAAAAAAAqA/XghmnMj_0SE/s320/100_6952.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JIXjBbTYHaQ/TlfWC6-zmII/AAAAAAAAAqE/kkwgG9cly1U/s1600/100_6959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JIXjBbTYHaQ/TlfWC6-zmII/AAAAAAAAAqE/kkwgG9cly1U/s320/100_6959.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That marble is called Porphyra.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In today's world, it takes an hour to cut a centimeter of the stuff.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Imagine how long it took dudes with a hammer and chisel.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W1JRw-3yGag/TlfWQv-vbqI/AAAAAAAAAqI/Ze8exwyfRN0/s1600/100_6967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W1JRw-3yGag/TlfWQv-vbqI/AAAAAAAAAqI/Ze8exwyfRN0/s320/100_6967.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Boo ya.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xe-wf1TMFzw/Tlfiy7KstHI/AAAAAAAAAsg/HX9DDM4KHhA/s1600/B6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xe-wf1TMFzw/Tlfiy7KstHI/AAAAAAAAAsg/HX9DDM4KHhA/s320/B6.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hott. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Ij_kTdfHa8/TlfWTdg_GlI/AAAAAAAAAqM/l74uV5WTkfY/s1600/100_6970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Ij_kTdfHa8/TlfWTdg_GlI/AAAAAAAAAqM/l74uV5WTkfY/s320/100_6970.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bird vomit.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I5IuSGEPObc/TlfWrmtfyMI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/A8BwNo3cGsU/s1600/100_6992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I5IuSGEPObc/TlfWrmtfyMI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/A8BwNo3cGsU/s320/100_6992.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Awesome ceiling painting.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zFEzVSKJBas/TlfWuUgvCBI/AAAAAAAAAqU/oCLPs4w7yCg/s1600/100_6997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zFEzVSKJBas/TlfWuUgvCBI/AAAAAAAAAqU/oCLPs4w7yCg/s320/100_6997.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Raise your hand if you love Raphael's color choices.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D527M84-Z9Q/TlfWvumGiaI/AAAAAAAAAqY/F2Qj_LBByag/s1600/100_6998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D527M84-Z9Q/TlfWvumGiaI/AAAAAAAAAqY/F2Qj_LBByag/s320/100_6998.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sweet.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2cowRXqmqHc/TlfZQpxxP0I/AAAAAAAAAqc/k8K5yImNMNA/s1600/100_6999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2cowRXqmqHc/TlfZQpxxP0I/AAAAAAAAAqc/k8K5yImNMNA/s320/100_6999.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had no clue "The School of Athens" was in the Vatican Museums.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I may or may not have been giddy.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fwWYUm9bD30/TlfZUK40zwI/AAAAAAAAAqg/9yvaa1IVnps/s1600/100_7001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fwWYUm9bD30/TlfZUK40zwI/AAAAAAAAAqg/9yvaa1IVnps/s320/100_7001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3skQ5rC111s/TlfZXfEFSWI/AAAAAAAAAqk/xyu2vwYJTJ4/s1600/100_7003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3skQ5rC111s/TlfZXfEFSWI/AAAAAAAAAqk/xyu2vwYJTJ4/s320/100_7003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wfmyyjAeYcs/TlfZZyWmyeI/AAAAAAAAAqo/WLsDpN_a860/s1600/100_7007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wfmyyjAeYcs/TlfZZyWmyeI/AAAAAAAAAqo/WLsDpN_a860/s320/100_7007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z4aM09bTUuY/TlfZb81AUoI/AAAAAAAAAqs/ZyLYPW2n2-c/s1600/100_7008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z4aM09bTUuY/TlfZb81AUoI/AAAAAAAAAqs/ZyLYPW2n2-c/s320/100_7008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9gXTFSYYOAM/TlfZeLqNIAI/AAAAAAAAAqw/k1QrYkx6SV8/s1600/100_7015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9gXTFSYYOAM/TlfZeLqNIAI/AAAAAAAAAqw/k1QrYkx6SV8/s320/100_7015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That fire must have been bad news.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6rUxYgdFB7k/TlfZgEhRWzI/AAAAAAAAAq0/Rk0VMVyy4tM/s1600/100_7022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6rUxYgdFB7k/TlfZgEhRWzI/AAAAAAAAAq0/Rk0VMVyy4tM/s320/100_7022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A not-allowed picture I took.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iw7s3rLshhU/TlfZif5SUUI/AAAAAAAAAq4/ma3uMlfzVZk/s1600/100_7023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iw7s3rLshhU/TlfZif5SUUI/AAAAAAAAAq4/ma3uMlfzVZk/s320/100_7023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Another not-allowed picture I took.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This was way better than the ceiling.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EdpLLGa8IW8/TlfZk3u6GvI/AAAAAAAAAq8/hlnCdJYItrY/s1600/100_7033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EdpLLGa8IW8/TlfZk3u6GvI/AAAAAAAAAq8/hlnCdJYItrY/s320/100_7033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">St. Peter's.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vRo2KLR758M/Tlfikq847oI/AAAAAAAAAsc/B9x2CtGEgOo/s1600/B10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vRo2KLR758M/Tlfikq847oI/AAAAAAAAAsc/B9x2CtGEgOo/s320/B10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I like it here.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TbLSzXYI_34/TlfZmYTISsI/AAAAAAAAArA/OBgLVg-S5TU/s1600/100_7038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TbLSzXYI_34/TlfZmYTISsI/AAAAAAAAArA/OBgLVg-S5TU/s320/100_7038.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That would get old fast. Cool suit, though.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hcfU4q68CQE/TlfZnu07knI/AAAAAAAAArE/STzfxgwtEdI/s1600/100_7043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hcfU4q68CQE/TlfZnu07knI/AAAAAAAAArE/STzfxgwtEdI/s320/100_7043.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Michelangelo's <em>Pieta</em>. Phenomenal.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KeAsAxs4-oM/TlfZo7yOK4I/AAAAAAAAArI/OAH6PIfdEmU/s1600/100_7067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KeAsAxs4-oM/TlfZo7yOK4I/AAAAAAAAArI/OAH6PIfdEmU/s320/100_7067.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">St. Peter's is tall.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-esxrxiLTvWo/TlfZ-SWFgbI/AAAAAAAAArM/R43j4k1HYW4/s1600/100_7080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-esxrxiLTvWo/TlfZ-SWFgbI/AAAAAAAAArM/R43j4k1HYW4/s320/100_7080.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Front.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MymDizo2F58/TlfaAaaHPsI/AAAAAAAAArQ/KXaVJS1cHEk/s1600/100_7082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MymDizo2F58/TlfaAaaHPsI/AAAAAAAAArQ/KXaVJS1cHEk/s320/100_7082.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Castle.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6lKAMQGn0OE/TlfaCajEBtI/AAAAAAAAArU/QHp-u6JpWIs/s1600/100_7083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6lKAMQGn0OE/TlfaCajEBtI/AAAAAAAAArU/QHp-u6JpWIs/s320/100_7083.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bernini statues on the bridge.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S3Wate8ivCA/TlfaDxZd0HI/AAAAAAAAArY/JPKbxpA3yPQ/s1600/100_7087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S3Wate8ivCA/TlfaDxZd0HI/AAAAAAAAArY/JPKbxpA3yPQ/s320/100_7087.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I swear the one on the left is playing the guitar.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4bwWSojro88/TlfaF5hUenI/AAAAAAAAArc/iilk2DySKdw/s1600/100_7090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4bwWSojro88/TlfaF5hUenI/AAAAAAAAArc/iilk2DySKdw/s320/100_7090.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wmVPke-yqdA/TlfaHtsfA2I/AAAAAAAAArg/TIsxyWZdzJM/s1600/100_7092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wmVPke-yqdA/TlfaHtsfA2I/AAAAAAAAArg/TIsxyWZdzJM/s320/100_7092.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I want to fight an octopus.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MJTu2poNk6o/TlfaJzkZ1LI/AAAAAAAAArk/zgqhhkiDf2w/s1600/100_7096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MJTu2poNk6o/TlfaJzkZ1LI/AAAAAAAAArk/zgqhhkiDf2w/s320/100_7096.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love this sculpture in particular. The pigeons top it off.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GO5gvqkOeYU/Tlff8_KorEI/AAAAAAAAAsY/R__A3b2oCg4/s1600/B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GO5gvqkOeYU/Tlff8_KorEI/AAAAAAAAAsY/R__A3b2oCg4/s320/B5.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Top-10 Picture candidate for the entire fellowship.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LLRCPG7M158/TlfaMY1PxdI/AAAAAAAAAro/l8cuQmwvxx8/s1600/100_7106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LLRCPG7M158/TlfaMY1PxdI/AAAAAAAAAro/l8cuQmwvxx8/s320/100_7106.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Did I mention that the Pantheon is in Rome?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e_Oar8edHkY/TlfaOFqMZuI/AAAAAAAAArs/IrJDXCAlCB8/s1600/100_7119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e_Oar8edHkY/TlfaOFqMZuI/AAAAAAAAArs/IrJDXCAlCB8/s320/100_7119.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Brenda loves the temple remains. And the guy that plays dress-up for money.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hLHfD6EhgwM/TlfaQqqOB2I/AAAAAAAAArw/obPYi6k5QB8/s1600/100_7126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hLHfD6EhgwM/TlfaQqqOB2I/AAAAAAAAArw/obPYi6k5QB8/s320/100_7126.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Trevi fountain is bigger than I imagined.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9uQxYbOnGbM/TlfaU4csYjI/AAAAAAAAAr0/97u-S5ZXN5U/s1600/100_7130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9uQxYbOnGbM/TlfaU4csYjI/AAAAAAAAAr0/97u-S5ZXN5U/s320/100_7130.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sweet.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kM91WaVViRs/TlfaYZ3wfyI/AAAAAAAAAr4/S_K8EknkVgA/s1600/100_7140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kM91WaVViRs/TlfaYZ3wfyI/AAAAAAAAAr4/S_K8EknkVgA/s320/100_7140.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Philosopher.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wzmy2K1Mp3U/Tlfaab0wV_I/AAAAAAAAAr8/-IqBilgcZOM/s1600/100_7146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wzmy2K1Mp3U/Tlfaab0wV_I/AAAAAAAAAr8/-IqBilgcZOM/s320/100_7146.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The twin Mary churches.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_AMXjCl7VoU/TlffqkBwLvI/AAAAAAAAAsU/ej1knOLoM-k/s1600/B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_AMXjCl7VoU/TlffqkBwLvI/AAAAAAAAAsU/ej1knOLoM-k/s320/B4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yes, I wore my Burger King crown for a few hours.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fDt443ZJZcE/TlfadarDs5I/AAAAAAAAAsA/wI_lb8qrJcA/s1600/100_7152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fDt443ZJZcE/TlfadarDs5I/AAAAAAAAAsA/wI_lb8qrJcA/s320/100_7152.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The crowded and over-hyped Spanish Steps.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C8vuF1Kf048/TlfagDnh92I/AAAAAAAAAsE/7F8TALEtxfs/s1600/100_7164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C8vuF1Kf048/TlfagDnh92I/AAAAAAAAAsE/7F8TALEtxfs/s320/100_7164.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cross your fingers.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8VOXXMtQ_AE/TlffQiecRoI/AAAAAAAAAsM/7kAbT1yfuS0/s1600/B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8VOXXMtQ_AE/TlffQiecRoI/AAAAAAAAAsM/7kAbT1yfuS0/s320/B3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Awesome.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_2optub-uv4/TlfajEzEL8I/AAAAAAAAAsI/x6kjl2dUCPM/s1600/100_7170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_2optub-uv4/TlfajEzEL8I/AAAAAAAAAsI/x6kjl2dUCPM/s320/100_7170.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I may or may not love this picture.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No idea who that girl is.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-maFC1Jr1tDE/TlffcU_MY7I/AAAAAAAAAsQ/_CDTss3tNBE/s1600/B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-maFC1Jr1tDE/TlffcU_MY7I/AAAAAAAAAsQ/_CDTss3tNBE/s320/B2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">PS - I got sainted.</div>Calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478986722468607006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146520262255821645.post-78445827781265777882011-08-09T08:42:00.000-04:002011-08-09T08:42:09.780-04:00Rome: The First Three DaysGreetings from Boston. It's very strange to be back, but I think I'll get used to it.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>I've got over 600 pictures of Rome (not bad for a week, eh?), and I <i><b><u>really</u> </b></i>need to find a job ($400 don't last long in Boston), so I think I'll write about my first three days in Rome and then make a post for the last few days of my trip.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Rome is quite the place for coming up with poem ideas. One of my days there I wrote five poems, and I was pretty impressed with that. Then a few days later I got six. Production-wise, that's unreal. For reference, in February I decided I would write one poem a day. February is a short month, so I figured it couldn't be <i>that </i>hard. </div><div><br />
</div><div>I ran out of ideas on the 3rd.</div><div><br />
</div><div>But I pushed through it, and I completed my goal, although my last poem was a haiku I wrote write before going under the knife for a not-quite-an-emergency appendectomy (I had a few hours before it would have exploded). </div><div><br />
</div><div>Anyways, that much poetry is crazy, and only a few of those poems will ever make it out of the first draft stage, but I did a lot of writing. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Enough words. Picture time.</div><div><br />
</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ePi79tk9Mak/TkEj_FltSGI/AAAAAAAAAl0/inecDzcSbqw/s1600/100_6585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ePi79tk9Mak/TkEj_FltSGI/AAAAAAAAAl0/inecDzcSbqw/s320/100_6585.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I found a fountain in the Piazza of the Republic.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zg0cfk7xWGc/TkEkAgXYu_I/AAAAAAAAAl4/wAVjwqFOhZk/s1600/100_6613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zg0cfk7xWGc/TkEkAgXYu_I/AAAAAAAAAl4/wAVjwqFOhZk/s320/100_6613.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I walked to Santa Maria degli Angeli e Martiri.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LUsjCvdJzeQ/TkEkTbgM1TI/AAAAAAAAAl8/V1GFyR8tRM0/s1600/100_6590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LUsjCvdJzeQ/TkEkTbgM1TI/AAAAAAAAAl8/V1GFyR8tRM0/s320/100_6590.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was one of the most beautiful churches I have ever been in.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_xsCy3jsp0A/TkEkUdR2FhI/AAAAAAAAAmA/SGxMsbbLUBg/s1600/100_6597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_xsCy3jsp0A/TkEkUdR2FhI/AAAAAAAAAmA/SGxMsbbLUBg/s320/100_6597.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love this statue. I sat on the marble floor and wrote a poem called "Meditation."</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-otO5QgF7JKc/TkEkVaQA0fI/AAAAAAAAAmE/QJHZi2_UF5I/s1600/100_6603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-otO5QgF7JKc/TkEkVaQA0fI/AAAAAAAAAmE/QJHZi2_UF5I/s320/100_6603.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There was also a statue of John the Baptist's head.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F4PwLAIQWFY/TkEkWQ84NoI/AAAAAAAAAmI/qdS8VJFG4R8/s1600/100_6606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F4PwLAIQWFY/TkEkWQ84NoI/AAAAAAAAAmI/qdS8VJFG4R8/s320/100_6606.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And an "Angel of Light" statue that creeped me out hardcore.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E5TOlXllKuw/TkEkXnKIZ1I/AAAAAAAAAmM/OZcskERptyc/s1600/100_6618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E5TOlXllKuw/TkEkXnKIZ1I/AAAAAAAAAmM/OZcskERptyc/s320/100_6618.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Down the street is a huge Moses statue.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I read that it's not proportionate and ugly, but I liked it.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V6RqJC6lSkA/TkEkZDTM9FI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/8R66RhfvBAo/s1600/100_6624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V6RqJC6lSkA/TkEkZDTM9FI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/8R66RhfvBAo/s320/100_6624.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I found a house I want.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1-bs7aUEUHk/TkEkamKZHyI/AAAAAAAAAmU/M_Yc6PmvPwY/s1600/100_6635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1-bs7aUEUHk/TkEkamKZHyI/AAAAAAAAAmU/M_Yc6PmvPwY/s320/100_6635.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I made my way to Santa Maria Maggiore.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's one of the 4 major churches in Rome. (Yes, I made it to the other three.)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uIvWZiO15x4/TkEkb18aR_I/AAAAAAAAAmY/zFZXc9nmnKQ/s1600/100_6638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uIvWZiO15x4/TkEkb18aR_I/AAAAAAAAAmY/zFZXc9nmnKQ/s320/100_6638.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the side that was open.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-97zK4T_ngbE/TkEkdK3Ov-I/AAAAAAAAAmc/3PtBZzKr26Q/s1600/100_6640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-97zK4T_ngbE/TkEkdK3Ov-I/AAAAAAAAAmc/3PtBZzKr26Q/s320/100_6640.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the nave.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PsMpmaqibD4/TkEkerRGZWI/AAAAAAAAAmg/bazJ6rDvNv4/s1600/100_6646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PsMpmaqibD4/TkEkerRGZWI/AAAAAAAAAmg/bazJ6rDvNv4/s320/100_6646.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And the ceiling.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UZQ8DO3LdDA/TkEkfiTa1JI/AAAAAAAAAmk/bejJqd8YEeI/s1600/100_6657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UZQ8DO3LdDA/TkEkfiTa1JI/AAAAAAAAAmk/bejJqd8YEeI/s320/100_6657.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And a blurry pic of some of the stained glass.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Alwe1kINKx0/TkEkhXWRsPI/AAAAAAAAAmo/S7YWdqBccrc/s1600/100_6670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Alwe1kINKx0/TkEkhXWRsPI/AAAAAAAAAmo/S7YWdqBccrc/s320/100_6670.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And this is the front, but it was roped off.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wvNTx84BfGg/TkEkimO_VOI/AAAAAAAAAms/fq9t-MJkfw0/s1600/100_6692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wvNTx84BfGg/TkEkimO_VOI/AAAAAAAAAms/fq9t-MJkfw0/s320/100_6692.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then I hit up Saint Peter's of the Chains.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2NJkJ35Feg8/TkEk6KjgagI/AAAAAAAAAmw/nHsEtSrP7SI/s1600/100_6679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2NJkJ35Feg8/TkEk6KjgagI/AAAAAAAAAmw/nHsEtSrP7SI/s320/100_6679.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">An awesome Death awaited me inside.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6S8oqhuOBM8/TkEk7oDchPI/AAAAAAAAAm0/t0IIhJJMdFE/s1600/100_6683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6S8oqhuOBM8/TkEk7oDchPI/AAAAAAAAAm0/t0IIhJJMdFE/s320/100_6683.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These are the chains used to hold Peter in Rome.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Good thing the Romans knew to separate them from the others and keep track of them.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1N0lrgoIZSM/TkEk8qoBDWI/AAAAAAAAAm4/C1eZUI6lauQ/s1600/100_6687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1N0lrgoIZSM/TkEk8qoBDWI/AAAAAAAAAm4/C1eZUI6lauQ/s320/100_6687.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Michelangelo's Moses. Love.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0V09iQrorUs/TkEk-C4r8FI/AAAAAAAAAm8/-DQUaKfdKjk/s1600/100_6693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0V09iQrorUs/TkEk-C4r8FI/AAAAAAAAAm8/-DQUaKfdKjk/s320/100_6693.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then I found another church.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MRuNkOg7ze0/TkElA2CImTI/AAAAAAAAAnA/ncZxTnbNkVw/s1600/100_6701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MRuNkOg7ze0/TkElA2CImTI/AAAAAAAAAnA/ncZxTnbNkVw/s320/100_6701.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not much to it.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FkLe2z98OpE/TkElCKsJs6I/AAAAAAAAAnE/qXRH5q_--tw/s1600/100_6707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FkLe2z98OpE/TkElCKsJs6I/AAAAAAAAAnE/qXRH5q_--tw/s320/100_6707.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then I found this thing. I don't remember what it's called.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_jxyYTJh2mU/TkElDl5cplI/AAAAAAAAAnI/IYiTX1UkE2c/s1600/100_6713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_jxyYTJh2mU/TkElDl5cplI/AAAAAAAAAnI/IYiTX1UkE2c/s320/100_6713.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sweet.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V9gEnYnwnro/TkElFDuSO1I/AAAAAAAAAnM/T4bhFYdWSEc/s1600/100_6719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V9gEnYnwnro/TkElFDuSO1I/AAAAAAAAAnM/T4bhFYdWSEc/s320/100_6719.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Monday I made my way to the Protestant Cemetery.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Right next door is a pyramid from the 2nd century B.C.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8AaTeHl9k2Y/TkElGkutQfI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/HwVxoQ_FO6M/s1600/100_6722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8AaTeHl9k2Y/TkElGkutQfI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/HwVxoQ_FO6M/s320/100_6722.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As awesome as it is random.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gPXhf-5Ch5c/TkElILYd1oI/AAAAAAAAAnU/lhH8VwRT7nk/s1600/100_6723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gPXhf-5Ch5c/TkElILYd1oI/AAAAAAAAAnU/lhH8VwRT7nk/s320/100_6723.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pilgrimage complete.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hello, Mr. Keats.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-syDGoUL-MqM/TkElJqa9OyI/AAAAAAAAAnY/IdVqMpYsOJY/s1600/100_6725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-syDGoUL-MqM/TkElJqa9OyI/AAAAAAAAAnY/IdVqMpYsOJY/s320/100_6725.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Here lies one whose name was writ on water" is possibly</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>the </i>most beautiful thing every written. In my opinion, of course.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DkLRds6djww/TkElK-WpA9I/AAAAAAAAAnc/UUzFyfWQR-s/s1600/100_6728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DkLRds6djww/TkElK-WpA9I/AAAAAAAAAnc/UUzFyfWQR-s/s320/100_6728.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He's buried next to his homeboy.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bxcA_W7G3O8/TkElMW97lVI/AAAAAAAAAng/33yMmI-lIUk/s1600/100_6734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bxcA_W7G3O8/TkElMW97lVI/AAAAAAAAAng/33yMmI-lIUk/s320/100_6734.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"The Angel of Grief" (1895)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sculpture by W. W. Story, placed on his wife's grave.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-47XnUwn5zfE/TkElNh-VM0I/AAAAAAAAAnk/7iSZzT6t5hw/s1600/100_6738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-47XnUwn5zfE/TkElNh-VM0I/AAAAAAAAAnk/7iSZzT6t5hw/s320/100_6738.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This one earned a poem.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lc7-JzWXCUA/TkElO5XfINI/AAAAAAAAAno/R2KTJ0r2-uU/s1600/100_6742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lc7-JzWXCUA/TkElO5XfINI/AAAAAAAAAno/R2KTJ0r2-uU/s320/100_6742.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Also buried in the Protestant Cemetery is Mr. Shelley.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">His wife wrote my favorite book.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h_HcZSyqpps/TkElQccn_sI/AAAAAAAAAns/v80IbOIA7AU/s1600/100_6754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h_HcZSyqpps/TkElQccn_sI/AAAAAAAAAns/v80IbOIA7AU/s320/100_6754.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There was a slug. And me with no salt.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5T1tjMLRUBI/TkElSDxranI/AAAAAAAAAnw/ycTE32jTCVI/s1600/100_6763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5T1tjMLRUBI/TkElSDxranI/AAAAAAAAAnw/ycTE32jTCVI/s320/100_6763.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One of the gravestones had a sculpture based on Chekhov's play <i>The Three Sisters</i>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I saw the play, starring my buddy Jordan Sobel, while I was at BU.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Depressing, but good.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kEom3xhWWRE/TkElUJBcC6I/AAAAAAAAAn0/7uF57jC8Kl0/s1600/100_6764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kEom3xhWWRE/TkElUJBcC6I/AAAAAAAAAn0/7uF57jC8Kl0/s320/100_6764.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then I saw some churches on a hill. So I climbed it.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CzI7ManlNmw/TkElV0iknSI/AAAAAAAAAn4/2xUsmippxE4/s1600/100_6768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CzI7ManlNmw/TkElV0iknSI/AAAAAAAAAn4/2xUsmippxE4/s320/100_6768.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Turns out there's a beautiful park and a view there.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w0OPosgWuOg/TkElX6LI2rI/AAAAAAAAAn8/8cZvgmr5kYw/s1600/100_6772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w0OPosgWuOg/TkElX6LI2rI/AAAAAAAAAn8/8cZvgmr5kYw/s320/100_6772.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love dangling my feet off of stuff.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VN15dzwoVCI/TkElZtUuBcI/AAAAAAAAAoA/a6FokXiPKsw/s1600/100_6778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VN15dzwoVCI/TkElZtUuBcI/AAAAAAAAAoA/a6FokXiPKsw/s320/100_6778.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Flattering statue of Joan of Arc.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HsgVdbHAoNc/TkElbqNeUfI/AAAAAAAAAoE/MDXOwOh5c1c/s1600/100_6792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HsgVdbHAoNc/TkElbqNeUfI/AAAAAAAAAoE/MDXOwOh5c1c/s320/100_6792.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Palm trees.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qvYD8B3obnU/TkElc2rWhWI/AAAAAAAAAoI/qqOz7yFa6KY/s1600/100_6793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qvYD8B3obnU/TkElc2rWhWI/AAAAAAAAAoI/qqOz7yFa6KY/s320/100_6793.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There's a monastery (I think it's a monastery) on the hill.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you look through the keyhole, you can see St. Peter's Basilica off in the distance.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But my camera sucks.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Rlz8GAedqc/TkElgGjZukI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/DKGxmg-y7UI/s1600/100_6797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Rlz8GAedqc/TkElgGjZukI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/DKGxmg-y7UI/s320/100_6797.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's a close-up of my camera sucking.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TuLAmGrGlqU/TkEliIbtCOI/AAAAAAAAAoU/xGv7TLNF_nk/s1600/100_6801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TuLAmGrGlqU/TkEliIbtCOI/AAAAAAAAAoU/xGv7TLNF_nk/s320/100_6801.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Headed down to the Circus Maximus.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0_liw1MyXLQ/TkEllckbm4I/AAAAAAAAAoY/8qRKct3WH68/s1600/100_6805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0_liw1MyXLQ/TkEllckbm4I/AAAAAAAAAoY/8qRKct3WH68/s320/100_6805.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Mouth of Truth wasn't available for gagging (but it will be next post), so I just took a picture.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ybh8WojI9Ww/TkElmgI8oEI/AAAAAAAAAoc/C8JYNAkRXOk/s1600/100_6807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ybh8WojI9Ww/TkElmgI8oEI/AAAAAAAAAoc/C8JYNAkRXOk/s320/100_6807.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Temple of Hercules.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--kaoe__q0og/TkEloXNoMoI/AAAAAAAAAog/-xDkhfB-Wpo/s1600/100_6814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--kaoe__q0og/TkEloXNoMoI/AAAAAAAAAog/-xDkhfB-Wpo/s320/100_6814.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Loving the Tiber.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bENeA4ik6uU/TkElp3AloBI/AAAAAAAAAok/_ZZrKKEKrvU/s1600/100_6816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bENeA4ik6uU/TkElp3AloBI/AAAAAAAAAok/_ZZrKKEKrvU/s320/100_6816.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Ponte Rocco (Broken Bridge).</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1UgOKCk87Hs/TkElrS8GHDI/AAAAAAAAAoo/5x7XxGcGimY/s1600/100_6821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1UgOKCk87Hs/TkElrS8GHDI/AAAAAAAAAoo/5x7XxGcGimY/s320/100_6821.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Took a sneaky pic of a guy doing karate in the Circus Maximus.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gyy7P6cGWbQ/TkEls1HtyjI/AAAAAAAAAos/0BQNmmAve-U/s1600/100_6833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gyy7P6cGWbQ/TkEls1HtyjI/AAAAAAAAAos/0BQNmmAve-U/s320/100_6833.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh, <i>that's </i>what it's called. The Nerone.</div><br />
</div>Calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478986722468607006noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146520262255821645.post-87240531929164970512011-07-31T10:08:00.001-04:002011-07-31T10:09:29.969-04:00Florence: Where Calvin Learns Why Everyone Raves About Gelato<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I was sad to leave Venice. I loved Venice. But they say that the best way to get over a broken heart is to find someone new. Florence proved that saying right.</div><br />
<br />
Florence is beautiful.<br />
Florence has art like no other place I've ever been.<br />
Florence made me want to play <i>Assassin's Creed II</i> again.<br />
<br />
I spent most of my time looking at art in Florence. When I wasn't looking at art, I was writing ekphrastic poetry in front of art. When I wasn't writing ekphrastic poetry or looking at art, I was eating amazingly-expensive-but-more-than-worth-it gelato on my way to look at and write about art.<br />
<br />
There were a few pieces I knew I was going to see: Michelangelo's <i>David </i>and Botticelli's <i>The Birth of Venus </i>being numbers one and two on the list. I did not know, however, how many other pieces I would find, let alone how magnificent David is.<br />
<br />
Magnificent is the only word that really comes close. That sculpture is so beautiful it literally brought tears to my eyes. I just gawked. For, like, 25 minutes I seriously just stood there in amazement. When I got as close to it as is allowed (decently close for a work so famous) I was waiting for him to start breathing. His eyes look real, his hands look real, there are veins in his feet. I was absolutely floored. Absolutely floored.<br />
<br />
Pictures aren't allowed, but I don't think I would have taken pictures even if I could. There's just no way to capture that kind of thing. Given, that's something that could be said for any number of art pieces (there's nothing like the real thing), but in this case it's just impossible. My goodness.<br />
<br />
I'm rambling. I also saw this one: <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/47/La_nascita_di_Venere_%28Botticelli%29.jpg">http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/47/La_nascita_di_Venere_%28Botticelli%29.jpg</a><br />
Good, if not a bit faded, but Venus is breathtaking.<br />
<br />
This one:<br />
<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/42/Medusa_by_Caravaggio_2.jpg">http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/42/Medusa_by_Caravaggio_2.jpg</a><br />
I remember seeing a picture of this in my Art History 202 class and thinking "I need to see that."<br />
<br />
And this one, by my boy Gentileschi:<br />
<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/28/Judith_Slaying_Holofernes_Gentileschi.jpg">http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/28/Judith_Slaying_Holofernes_Gentileschi.jpg</a><br />
I'm really glad I saw this one: A) Because it's awesome; B) Because the camera doesn't capture the drops of blood all over the two women, nor the fact that Holofernes seems very much not quite dead; and C) Because it is awesome. If I was a painter, this is the kind of stuff I would make.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">~</div><br />
How about some pics.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kh2qKQowsP4/TjVSqx_VH_I/AAAAAAAAAgs/9KOh23oYH4k/s1600/100_6309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kh2qKQowsP4/TjVSqx_VH_I/AAAAAAAAAgs/9KOh23oYH4k/s320/100_6309.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Arno River and Ponte Vecchio during the day.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8SLP4ypiATI/TjVSsk8fxfI/AAAAAAAAAgw/nFbEQu7PWMI/s1600/100_6311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8SLP4ypiATI/TjVSsk8fxfI/AAAAAAAAAgw/nFbEQu7PWMI/s320/100_6311.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Arno River and Ponte Vecchio at night.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I took this from a little overhang over the edge of the Ponte de San Trinità,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">which is where I did a lot of my writing before heading home.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eEtWmV0NEYE/TjVSv6Cb0yI/AAAAAAAAAg0/swIblvgIru4/s1600/100_6326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eEtWmV0NEYE/TjVSv6Cb0yI/AAAAAAAAAg0/swIblvgIru4/s320/100_6326.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Piazza Vecchia.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MYD8Q1PD640/TjVSyYx-HaI/AAAAAAAAAg4/roxVWIL-NSk/s1600/100_6335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MYD8Q1PD640/TjVSyYx-HaI/AAAAAAAAAg4/roxVWIL-NSk/s320/100_6335.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Outside the Galleria degli Uffizi there are some sculptures.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Needless to say, this one is dear to my heart.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5wcwifO3BOI/TjVS01-OyVI/AAAAAAAAAg8/YxPavBMUwiE/s1600/100_6339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5wcwifO3BOI/TjVS01-OyVI/AAAAAAAAAg8/YxPavBMUwiE/s320/100_6339.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Perseus kicking some Gorgon butt. (In sweet kicks, might I add.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Have I mentioned I love all things Medusa?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Including but not limited to the recent <i>Clash of the Titans</i> remake.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am also in love with Gemma Atterton, who plays Io<i>.</i></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s8sNTjZDR8c/TjVS3GLWMfI/AAAAAAAAAhA/FYJL6Phwgrw/s1600/100_6342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s8sNTjZDR8c/TjVS3GLWMfI/AAAAAAAAAhA/FYJL6Phwgrw/s320/100_6342.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not a bad pic, if I say so myself.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h2mXdaG-4c0/TjVS5TR3BaI/AAAAAAAAAhE/mi9jUD9kJCU/s1600/100_6344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h2mXdaG-4c0/TjVS5TR3BaI/AAAAAAAAAhE/mi9jUD9kJCU/s320/100_6344.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mint Chocolate Chip and Tiramisu. Cannot get enough.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uX6iy-EbkTQ/TjVS7x2O-QI/AAAAAAAAAhI/L04nINQFecw/s1600/100_6363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uX6iy-EbkTQ/TjVS7x2O-QI/AAAAAAAAAhI/L04nINQFecw/s320/100_6363.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Duomo.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YEDQUWFnbNM/TjVS-4RWpHI/AAAAAAAAAhM/-JGPcSEDfKs/s1600/100_6366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YEDQUWFnbNM/TjVS-4RWpHI/AAAAAAAAAhM/-JGPcSEDfKs/s320/100_6366.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The front of the Duomo. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's been called 'The Cathedral in Pajamas.'</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BBpKCH0Lkww/TjVTB7tKV6I/AAAAAAAAAhQ/VzQbvCtDXhE/s1600/100_6378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BBpKCH0Lkww/TjVTB7tKV6I/AAAAAAAAAhQ/VzQbvCtDXhE/s320/100_6378.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love the bell tower. I was here at noon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I wonder if it rings at midnight. Guess I'll have to go back.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JVFgssw6PP4/TjVTEbReeyI/AAAAAAAAAhU/Uf3G6tkuIAg/s1600/100_6381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JVFgssw6PP4/TjVTEbReeyI/AAAAAAAAAhU/Uf3G6tkuIAg/s320/100_6381.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pretty.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c4htA-dyjs4/TjVTGo7uCsI/AAAAAAAAAhY/7Zcenev5AW8/s1600/100_6386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c4htA-dyjs4/TjVTGo7uCsI/AAAAAAAAAhY/7Zcenev5AW8/s320/100_6386.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not much to say about the inside.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Although it does have the third longest nave in Christendom.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-leq8d1E8hEI/TjVTILGPQyI/AAAAAAAAAhc/2CTejjzBAvs/s1600/100_6399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-leq8d1E8hEI/TjVTILGPQyI/AAAAAAAAAhc/2CTejjzBAvs/s320/100_6399.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This makes me want to go back to Greece.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LiqILb2Whf0/TjVTK3JhjXI/AAAAAAAAAhg/BvsWdgb7xRk/s1600/100_6400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LiqILb2Whf0/TjVTK3JhjXI/AAAAAAAAAhg/BvsWdgb7xRk/s320/100_6400.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Another arch and the statue marking where the two main Roman roads intersected.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-msZQZjhqSZw/TjVTN75s1XI/AAAAAAAAAhk/lfSbCMvAb38/s1600/100_6409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-msZQZjhqSZw/TjVTN75s1XI/AAAAAAAAAhk/lfSbCMvAb38/s320/100_6409.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Can't get enough of the Ponte Vecchio.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It helps that it's two minutes from my house.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wbNkyBrDrLk/TjVTQG-NqhI/AAAAAAAAAho/EXffA1yM5S4/s1600/100_6422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wbNkyBrDrLk/TjVTQG-NqhI/AAAAAAAAAho/EXffA1yM5S4/s320/100_6422.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">View from the Piazza Michelangelo.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--a-NeaHwNZU/TjVTS5wJsCI/AAAAAAAAAhs/x-85FM5DZu4/s1600/100_6423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--a-NeaHwNZU/TjVTS5wJsCI/AAAAAAAAAhs/x-85FM5DZu4/s320/100_6423.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Also.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jyz17WmGEnw/TjVTVWGnCWI/AAAAAAAAAhw/9M3M8z5IX60/s1600/100_6433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jyz17WmGEnw/TjVTVWGnCWI/AAAAAAAAAhw/9M3M8z5IX60/s320/100_6433.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Greatest picture ever?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Probably.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5L54RGILcts/TjVTX7pEXvI/AAAAAAAAAh0/cplsRv6xPh4/s1600/100_6434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5L54RGILcts/TjVTX7pEXvI/AAAAAAAAAh0/cplsRv6xPh4/s320/100_6434.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hiked up a little further to the quiet Basilica de San Miniato.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RrTJclWDKSw/TjVTa4CuwTI/AAAAAAAAAh4/gIt8sEYnvxU/s1600/100_6436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RrTJclWDKSw/TjVTa4CuwTI/AAAAAAAAAh4/gIt8sEYnvxU/s320/100_6436.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Legend has it that San Miniato (the city's first martyr) was beheaded near the river.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He then picked up his head, made his way to this spot overlooking the Arno, and then died.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I guess it makes sense.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LUjAQj-rhy4/TjVTdZ7rh4I/AAAAAAAAAh8/iG-GRRVhfjc/s1600/100_6440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LUjAQj-rhy4/TjVTdZ7rh4I/AAAAAAAAAh8/iG-GRRVhfjc/s320/100_6440.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It had a cool stained glass window.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rQtCjgxCjnQ/TjVTgPPUFjI/AAAAAAAAAiA/pVO4X5k8JD0/s1600/100_6455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rQtCjgxCjnQ/TjVTgPPUFjI/AAAAAAAAAiA/pVO4X5k8JD0/s320/100_6455.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Christmas card.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zq1ILgERHFw/TjVTimPWuJI/AAAAAAAAAiE/0A2X1_zs4mY/s1600/100_6456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zq1ILgERHFw/TjVTimPWuJI/AAAAAAAAAiE/0A2X1_zs4mY/s320/100_6456.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Random tower.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H3f2U05t3wg/TjVTlpPxHmI/AAAAAAAAAiI/pppj9rOMryg/s1600/100_6463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H3f2U05t3wg/TjVTlpPxHmI/AAAAAAAAAiI/pppj9rOMryg/s320/100_6463.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Santa Croce.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Worth a tour if you're ever in the neighborhood.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qJ25Y9m-y8c/TjVToHCvsNI/AAAAAAAAAiM/HJ4QGD5KSnE/s1600/100_6465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qJ25Y9m-y8c/TjVToHCvsNI/AAAAAAAAAiM/HJ4QGD5KSnE/s320/100_6465.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There is a statue of Dante outside.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ciKVrs-foco/TjVTrPej1nI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/VuKCDAW7Ljk/s1600/100_6466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ciKVrs-foco/TjVTrPej1nI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/VuKCDAW7Ljk/s320/100_6466.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And he's always happy to see you.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aCfx1-CDTr8/TjVTtl-JTDI/AAAAAAAAAiU/vzA4Off2_80/s1600/100_6497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aCfx1-CDTr8/TjVTtl-JTDI/AAAAAAAAAiU/vzA4Off2_80/s320/100_6497.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Galileo is buried inside.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UZhdTIaMGb8/TjVTwDjECdI/AAAAAAAAAiY/A6NIzh5P548/s1600/100_6498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UZhdTIaMGb8/TjVTwDjECdI/AAAAAAAAAiY/A6NIzh5P548/s320/100_6498.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And so is Michelangelo.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tomb done by Vasari, with (L to R) Sculpture, Painting, and Architecture.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RxqV41S34ic/TjVTy5xEhiI/AAAAAAAAAic/jQXG6c4OJik/s1600/100_6507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RxqV41S34ic/TjVTy5xEhiI/AAAAAAAAAic/jQXG6c4OJik/s320/100_6507.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A few feet away the muse of poetry mourns Dante's absence (he was banished).</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H_dOPCaJDUg/TjVT1ZdENhI/AAAAAAAAAig/htJZM-2tNyc/s1600/100_6516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H_dOPCaJDUg/TjVT1ZdENhI/AAAAAAAAAig/htJZM-2tNyc/s320/100_6516.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gioachino Rossini is buried here, too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(He's the dude that composed the William Tell Overture.)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m4Jfb4udu_A/TjVT3bw0blI/AAAAAAAAAik/d6GHNBmqWbQ/s1600/100_6525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m4Jfb4udu_A/TjVT3bw0blI/AAAAAAAAAik/d6GHNBmqWbQ/s320/100_6525.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Got some fabulous frescoes.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9BVmhBoQhus/TjVT5Zla27I/AAAAAAAAAio/68W0hWAXM-g/s1600/100_6529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9BVmhBoQhus/TjVT5Zla27I/AAAAAAAAAio/68W0hWAXM-g/s320/100_6529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Part of the robe worn by Saint Francis.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">How they identify this stuff is beyond me.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-75DPyBjNPPU/TjVT6tT0uRI/AAAAAAAAAis/Z626TCoAjsg/s1600/100_6534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-75DPyBjNPPU/TjVT6tT0uRI/AAAAAAAAAis/Z626TCoAjsg/s320/100_6534.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I want this on my tomb stone.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8CYZ_-_p_-E/TjVT9LqcDpI/AAAAAAAAAiw/7UgqbAJVJ40/s1600/100_6535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8CYZ_-_p_-E/TjVT9LqcDpI/AAAAAAAAAiw/7UgqbAJVJ40/s320/100_6535.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Stained glass.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cD0ntY_PnwQ/TjVT_l5pkSI/AAAAAAAAAi0/UlAP3eFvPPM/s1600/100_6547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cD0ntY_PnwQ/TjVT_l5pkSI/AAAAAAAAAi0/UlAP3eFvPPM/s320/100_6547.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gaddi's huge "Last Supper" fresco in the Refectory.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DbBrTID0ens/TjVUBw6A_XI/AAAAAAAAAi4/o8yWZF8GPI0/s1600/100_6556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DbBrTID0ens/TjVUBw6A_XI/AAAAAAAAAi4/o8yWZF8GPI0/s320/100_6556.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And a few more recent, not to mention colorful, paintings.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gEjMwwXatzY/TjVUEc1PQRI/AAAAAAAAAi8/f1jDaq-DGlI/s1600/100_6563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gEjMwwXatzY/TjVUEc1PQRI/AAAAAAAAAi8/f1jDaq-DGlI/s320/100_6563.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There is also a leather school in the back.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've never wanted to buy a wallet so bad in my life.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uaIOYLjofAk/TjVUHujTQKI/AAAAAAAAAjA/YfayKaGTVIA/s1600/100_6564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uaIOYLjofAk/TjVUHujTQKI/AAAAAAAAAjA/YfayKaGTVIA/s320/100_6564.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Greatest...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dfcc9nJEyAM/TjVUKQCTxWI/AAAAAAAAAjE/caXH8MHxZqM/s1600/100_6565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dfcc9nJEyAM/TjVUKQCTxWI/AAAAAAAAAjE/caXH8MHxZqM/s320/100_6565.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...freaking...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zsu2HdsKHtY/TjVUNNnXp9I/AAAAAAAAAjI/Fbe6nGXyvv8/s1600/100_6568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zsu2HdsKHtY/TjVUNNnXp9I/AAAAAAAAAjI/Fbe6nGXyvv8/s320/100_6568.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...statue...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ci3M3Yua7tc/TjVUPs16q0I/AAAAAAAAAjM/KpLme3oplrQ/s1600/100_6569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ci3M3Yua7tc/TjVUPs16q0I/AAAAAAAAAjM/KpLme3oplrQ/s320/100_6569.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...EVER!!!!!!!!!!!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bP2D4Zev8xI/TjVUSuC7e1I/AAAAAAAAAjQ/ggHAdUrk3Jg/s1600/100_6571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bP2D4Zev8xI/TjVUSuC7e1I/AAAAAAAAAjQ/ggHAdUrk3Jg/s320/100_6571.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The National Library.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One-person visits not allowed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There went my hopes for seeing original copies of Dante's <i>Inferno</i>.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ALB8v5qhKuI/TjVUVFtsh9I/AAAAAAAAAjU/jTjM5Xn79eU/s1600/100_6572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ALB8v5qhKuI/TjVUVFtsh9I/AAAAAAAAAjU/jTjM5Xn79eU/s320/100_6572.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dante in the left tower.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GZ6fiWGWek0/TjVUX9FvC-I/AAAAAAAAAjY/i37nyuEI8DM/s1600/100_6573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GZ6fiWGWek0/TjVUX9FvC-I/AAAAAAAAAjY/i37nyuEI8DM/s320/100_6573.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Galileo in the right.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aeVOKH7_CrQ/TjVUcQzHHuI/AAAAAAAAAjc/Klvh_IqRqq8/s1600/100_6482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aeVOKH7_CrQ/TjVUcQzHHuI/AAAAAAAAAjc/Klvh_IqRqq8/s320/100_6482.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I will miss you, Florence.</div>Calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478986722468607006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146520262255821645.post-4530014014925930782011-07-27T16:44:00.000-04:002011-07-27T16:44:37.910-04:00Ahhh...VeniceI love Venice. The end.<br />
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Ok, not the end. A few (44) pictures first.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-166xbRrqzqk/TjBrKK7ym5I/AAAAAAAAAd8/Gj6XJnrndeY/s1600/100_6029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-166xbRrqzqk/TjBrKK7ym5I/AAAAAAAAAd8/Gj6XJnrndeY/s320/100_6029.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The streets are made of water. In case you didn't know.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That boat is actually a bus.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--QGj1NjB11E/TjBrUC7bE-I/AAAAAAAAAeA/CxTcA9M-pkQ/s1600/100_6031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--QGj1NjB11E/TjBrUC7bE-I/AAAAAAAAAeA/CxTcA9M-pkQ/s320/100_6031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The aptly-named Three Arch Bridge near where I stayed.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7sMEha8xp-o/TjBrf0S1-yI/AAAAAAAAAeE/HNQvXN6_jUM/s1600/100_6034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7sMEha8xp-o/TjBrf0S1-yI/AAAAAAAAAeE/HNQvXN6_jUM/s320/100_6034.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The view from my room.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">How about that for a place from which to watch the world and write?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1cxo1x8ZAYM/TjBrsAoYb3I/AAAAAAAAAeI/1WULoW1Vi0I/s1600/100_6060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1cxo1x8ZAYM/TjBrsAoYb3I/AAAAAAAAAeI/1WULoW1Vi0I/s320/100_6060.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kinda foreboding, isn't it?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wRsWBdmk62I/TjBr4Un1q2I/AAAAAAAAAeM/zTZeJ9ctKc0/s1600/100_6066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wRsWBdmk62I/TjBr4Un1q2I/AAAAAAAAAeM/zTZeJ9ctKc0/s320/100_6066.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gondola. A bit too expensive for a travelling scholar.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x5JHNG5eD_Q/TjBsD6k8zCI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/u6vHnillROU/s1600/100_6067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x5JHNG5eD_Q/TjBsD6k8zCI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/u6vHnillROU/s320/100_6067.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pink church.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Santa Maria of something.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I do remember it was built in thanks for one of the plagues getting over.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/---_6B9hFBfk/TjBsOPu3NRI/AAAAAAAAAeU/Qf6sx1SIh6s/s1600/100_6081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/---_6B9hFBfk/TjBsOPu3NRI/AAAAAAAAAeU/Qf6sx1SIh6s/s320/100_6081.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Basilica di San Marcos.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This whole square made me want to watch <em>The Italian Job</em>.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-knRoAjY2ojs/TjBsZGkRA6I/AAAAAAAAAeY/bfu551BoTjc/s1600/100_6082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-knRoAjY2ojs/TjBsZGkRA6I/AAAAAAAAAeY/bfu551BoTjc/s320/100_6082.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wannabe Big Ben. But not bad.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GLsLg0uypqc/TjBsjhJeP1I/AAAAAAAAAec/--2FrWMkckY/s1600/100_6083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GLsLg0uypqc/TjBsjhJeP1I/AAAAAAAAAec/--2FrWMkckY/s320/100_6083.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Part of the palace.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-94xiCg8J1OU/TjBstps-jAI/AAAAAAAAAeg/C2PagqT8TnI/s1600/100_6091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-94xiCg8J1OU/TjBstps-jAI/AAAAAAAAAeg/C2PagqT8TnI/s320/100_6091.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I waited like half an hour but the lion just wouldn't eat him.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BdE618OI6mw/TjBs8SPkURI/AAAAAAAAAek/pLPDoz5plM0/s1600/100_6103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BdE618OI6mw/TjBs8SPkURI/AAAAAAAAAek/pLPDoz5plM0/s320/100_6103.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Winged lion is Venice's mascot. Pretty sweet.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ebpAY0EJGQ0/TjBtIrVL5oI/AAAAAAAAAeo/wSj4HCScpTs/s1600/100_6101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ebpAY0EJGQ0/TjBtIrVL5oI/AAAAAAAAAeo/wSj4HCScpTs/s320/100_6101.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This pic would be so good if it was sunny.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EwD9kj6PUv0/TjBtSFnNvYI/AAAAAAAAAes/N3rUX8TTL8E/s1600/100_6123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EwD9kj6PUv0/TjBtSFnNvYI/AAAAAAAAAes/N3rUX8TTL8E/s320/100_6123.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Inside the San Marcos Basilica.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D8E0z8gHHMM/TjBtaWs56oI/AAAAAAAAAew/iU1BQ1p3-gQ/s1600/100_6124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D8E0z8gHHMM/TjBtaWs56oI/AAAAAAAAAew/iU1BQ1p3-gQ/s320/100_6124.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wrote me a poem in a little chapel.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pp3r3lMrOh4/TjBtjHYU_ZI/AAAAAAAAAe0/iBepQYacKtA/s1600/100_6133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pp3r3lMrOh4/TjBtjHYU_ZI/AAAAAAAAAe0/iBepQYacKtA/s320/100_6133.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gold, lots of gold, lots of gold, lots of gold.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SZEh_SLsQ8o/TjBtxKO2rHI/AAAAAAAAAe4/rJ19QjNVXM4/s1600/100_6136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SZEh_SLsQ8o/TjBtxKO2rHI/AAAAAAAAAe4/rJ19QjNVXM4/s320/100_6136.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On top of this clock tower there is a giant bell.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On both sides of that bell are life-sized metal statues holding hammers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When the hour hits, said statues move and hit the bell with said hammers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Awesome.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UgXBQyCKRPA/TjBuAomy3HI/AAAAAAAAAe8/qleWVIdDoLE/s1600/100_6140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UgXBQyCKRPA/TjBuAomy3HI/AAAAAAAAAe8/qleWVIdDoLE/s320/100_6140.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cool.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zB2BaoilzDc/TjBuJyxCqWI/AAAAAAAAAfA/dPEbTXv5xMs/s1600/100_6143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zB2BaoilzDc/TjBuJyxCqWI/AAAAAAAAAfA/dPEbTXv5xMs/s320/100_6143.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Calvin at San Marcos Square on a cloudy day.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuO7TsVLy9g/TjBuTGykjTI/AAAAAAAAAfE/RFIP8z0SlUs/s1600/100_6156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuO7TsVLy9g/TjBuTGykjTI/AAAAAAAAAfE/RFIP8z0SlUs/s320/100_6156.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Are you crazy, don't go between them!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Go between them, are you crazy?!"</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KInplJGtk5E/TjBuccap2ZI/AAAAAAAAAfI/R6ZC0EFSLqM/s1600/100_6163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KInplJGtk5E/TjBuccap2ZI/AAAAAAAAAfI/R6ZC0EFSLqM/s320/100_6163.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gondola.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ead-QddcWFE/TjBumV87sCI/AAAAAAAAAfM/trpP1tfUkSw/s1600/100_6146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ead-QddcWFE/TjBumV87sCI/AAAAAAAAAfM/trpP1tfUkSw/s320/100_6146.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Santa Lucia church.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Rc6huGHRbI/TjBuuuMxmaI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/XkZ0p6_rHr8/s1600/100_6149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Rc6huGHRbI/TjBuuuMxmaI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/XkZ0p6_rHr8/s320/100_6149.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Don't know why I'm so fascinated by floors.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mew5qHrbpq4/TjBu4634uHI/AAAAAAAAAfU/E-SfGSZF7ac/s1600/100_6173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mew5qHrbpq4/TjBu4634uHI/AAAAAAAAAfU/E-SfGSZF7ac/s320/100_6173.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bridge.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfuqW9GX6UI/TjBvC_zbMOI/AAAAAAAAAfY/U6Qgb6jpRmg/s1600/100_6179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfuqW9GX6UI/TjBvC_zbMOI/AAAAAAAAAfY/U6Qgb6jpRmg/s320/100_6179.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Coolest lamp ever.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h28XzGhZzmM/TjBvP0OXicI/AAAAAAAAAfc/eilaaDppfcM/s1600/100_6189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h28XzGhZzmM/TjBvP0OXicI/AAAAAAAAAfc/eilaaDppfcM/s320/100_6189.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ate pizza, watched the sun go down and wrote some poems at the end of the island.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was a happy evening.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PR2rQn_4DZw/TjBvZAWx5DI/AAAAAAAAAfg/gKjBf3e1ijs/s1600/100_6191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PR2rQn_4DZw/TjBvZAWx5DI/AAAAAAAAAfg/gKjBf3e1ijs/s320/100_6191.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My roommates: Emily (foreground), Louise (dress), Steve (not dress).</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d6qvZV8mMKE/TjBvjtLvaJI/AAAAAAAAAfk/Tz-oAI-qneY/s1600/100_6192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d6qvZV8mMKE/TjBvjtLvaJI/AAAAAAAAAfk/Tz-oAI-qneY/s320/100_6192.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IGbImglIK-c/TjBvst9OcJI/AAAAAAAAAfo/ETsxKDeKvNg/s1600/100_6194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IGbImglIK-c/TjBvst9OcJI/AAAAAAAAAfo/ETsxKDeKvNg/s320/100_6194.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">SWEET Medusa mask.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ByJk1ZIABkU/TjBv2VcXSyI/AAAAAAAAAfs/jN0Rqsqgtu4/s1600/100_6199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ByJk1ZIABkU/TjBv2VcXSyI/AAAAAAAAAfs/jN0Rqsqgtu4/s320/100_6199.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I call this one "Mandusa."</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sn3dWpXwIb4/TjBwAepaPLI/AAAAAAAAAfw/4r5kfWb6aFI/s1600/100_6202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sn3dWpXwIb4/TjBwAepaPLI/AAAAAAAAAfw/4r5kfWb6aFI/s320/100_6202.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Found a wood bridge or two. This one's the biggest.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B-DrVDS5jqU/TjBwO8MhFlI/AAAAAAAAAf0/ZXTELtE-Yvk/s1600/100_6210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B-DrVDS5jqU/TjBwO8MhFlI/AAAAAAAAAf0/ZXTELtE-Yvk/s320/100_6210.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Needed another day to get to that side of the river. Blast.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YmHE_wF1tV4/TjBwZq-2HqI/AAAAAAAAAf4/kEqQ2YRpP-A/s1600/100_6216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YmHE_wF1tV4/TjBwZq-2HqI/AAAAAAAAAf4/kEqQ2YRpP-A/s320/100_6216.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">View from a fancy restaurant we didn't have enough money to eat at.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1ytlfPOMbJg/TjBwmnwM5zI/AAAAAAAAAf8/3dxrm4hmVSE/s1600/100_6220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1ytlfPOMbJg/TjBwmnwM5zI/AAAAAAAAAf8/3dxrm4hmVSE/s320/100_6220.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Naked boy with frog statue at the house that supposedly looks like a boat but really doesn't.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OKo8ZF7_EHY/TjBwyel9puI/AAAAAAAAAgA/OV0BRsZsXy0/s1600/100_6223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OKo8ZF7_EHY/TjBwyel9puI/AAAAAAAAAgA/OV0BRsZsXy0/s320/100_6223.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Who loves Venice? This guy.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vks0_RA0RIk/TjBw94GnnJI/AAAAAAAAAgE/7FGSMnqWDmA/s1600/100_6243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vks0_RA0RIk/TjBw94GnnJI/AAAAAAAAAgE/7FGSMnqWDmA/s320/100_6243.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Random window art I saw. It's all made of numbers.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZBhwuuP8B94/TjBxG26X_jI/AAAAAAAAAgI/_-G30iv1PNY/s1600/100_6249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZBhwuuP8B94/TjBxG26X_jI/AAAAAAAAAgI/_-G30iv1PNY/s320/100_6249.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I don't think I could even stand inside of this house.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3PmYBln7c_0/TjBxSRWqfkI/AAAAAAAAAgM/txHpgcV7PQ8/s1600/100_6257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3PmYBln7c_0/TjBxSRWqfkI/AAAAAAAAAgM/txHpgcV7PQ8/s320/100_6257.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Really tall church with a cover charge. Let's enjoy the outside.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g6EIV_WZLMk/TjBxYl45byI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/HDRiiN-DCmY/s1600/100_6259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g6EIV_WZLMk/TjBxYl45byI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/HDRiiN-DCmY/s320/100_6259.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tintoretto's "Caino e Abele" was the most powerful painting in the Accademia.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QGQvbPOL65E/TjBxfjHMGlI/AAAAAAAAAgU/o2jJ4-dEhMs/s1600/100_6286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QGQvbPOL65E/TjBxfjHMGlI/AAAAAAAAAgU/o2jJ4-dEhMs/s320/100_6286.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I also enjoyed "Burrasca di Mare" by Jacopo Palma and Paris Bordon.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A-BFvmfXmbg/TjBxmrFvf5I/AAAAAAAAAgY/EWdnRRbCi8o/s1600/100_6287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A-BFvmfXmbg/TjBxmrFvf5I/AAAAAAAAAgY/EWdnRRbCi8o/s320/100_6287.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My favorite: the dude in the bottom corner beating the crap out of a sea monster.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IFOoJNiZOYM/TjBxygU4iSI/AAAAAAAAAgc/JtnYcXkZkRU/s1600/100_6289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IFOoJNiZOYM/TjBxygU4iSI/AAAAAAAAAgc/JtnYcXkZkRU/s320/100_6289.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I also saw Carpaccio's nine piece cycle of St. Ursula. They killed the Pope! Who does that?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gZAWZa6xgS0/TjBx8ka-mMI/AAAAAAAAAgg/_iL36pxMeyk/s1600/100_6297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gZAWZa6xgS0/TjBx8ka-mMI/AAAAAAAAAgg/_iL36pxMeyk/s320/100_6297.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Summon your eagle powers."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"What do you think I am doing?"</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rJjMLby8rt0/TjByD8rRklI/AAAAAAAAAgk/ySEnPCKPI38/s1600/100_6300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rJjMLby8rt0/TjByD8rRklI/AAAAAAAAAgk/ySEnPCKPI38/s320/100_6300.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is a what the ceiling in a "No Photos" church looks like.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qFbvq3SZD_0/TjByPm3BtnI/AAAAAAAAAgo/QDV_KMeIjww/s1600/100_6306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qFbvq3SZD_0/TjByPm3BtnI/AAAAAAAAAgo/QDV_KMeIjww/s320/100_6306.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One last pic of Venice on my way to the train station.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love Venice.</div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">THE END</div>Calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478986722468607006noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146520262255821645.post-80826808899732457562011-07-24T17:39:00.000-04:002011-07-24T17:39:17.812-04:00MilanGot some good writing and some good sight-seeing done in two days in Milan.<br />
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We can do it in pictures. Ready, go.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B0IYd4zUTFE/Tix93sPmdmI/AAAAAAAAAbM/_gz7bBYmj2w/s1600/100_5871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B0IYd4zUTFE/Tix93sPmdmI/AAAAAAAAAbM/_gz7bBYmj2w/s320/100_5871.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the Milan Cathedral, or Duomo. I love the outside.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sWa6J5-a2FU/Tix-KayeTWI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/CIVxZw6qO9s/s1600/100_5874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sWa6J5-a2FU/Tix-KayeTWI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/CIVxZw6qO9s/s320/100_5874.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's big.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4Sl0L2nYLw/Tix-e22j3-I/AAAAAAAAAbU/ckXMS96nQUM/s1600/100_6010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4Sl0L2nYLw/Tix-e22j3-I/AAAAAAAAAbU/ckXMS96nQUM/s320/100_6010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I can't get enough of this thing.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WIo7QmkxzIQ/Tix-vlsPAiI/AAAAAAAAAbY/KQFEyYk7muk/s1600/100_6011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WIo7QmkxzIQ/Tix-vlsPAiI/AAAAAAAAAbY/KQFEyYk7muk/s320/100_6011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There are people on each of the (many) spires.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SCNWWr-7YVs/Tix_BYBO5YI/AAAAAAAAAbc/yq7JXsI-tBs/s1600/100_5877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SCNWWr-7YVs/Tix_BYBO5YI/AAAAAAAAAbc/yq7JXsI-tBs/s320/100_5877.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Stained glass: to...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L4ppU1ygELc/Tix_Q3CA02I/AAAAAAAAAbg/-fj2O5GCuPo/s1600/100_5878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L4ppU1ygELc/Tix_Q3CA02I/AAAAAAAAAbg/-fj2O5GCuPo/s320/100_5878.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...die...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mNrHJpU96bY/Tix_hwEAZ-I/AAAAAAAAAbk/A6esXK6OWA0/s1600/100_5889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mNrHJpU96bY/Tix_hwEAZ-I/AAAAAAAAAbk/A6esXK6OWA0/s320/100_5889.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...for.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zEOrNdkEsds/Tix_spghCEI/AAAAAAAAAbo/DFzt4mfRMMQ/s1600/100_5893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zEOrNdkEsds/Tix_spghCEI/AAAAAAAAAbo/DFzt4mfRMMQ/s320/100_5893.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Floors were sweet.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-miN9YuM6ksw/Tix_7nMwKgI/AAAAAAAAAbs/FcVIFp6JvvE/s1600/100_5896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-miN9YuM6ksw/Tix_7nMwKgI/AAAAAAAAAbs/FcVIFp6JvvE/s320/100_5896.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love candles.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-77M2FLLVE4k/TiyAN0ANjQI/AAAAAAAAAbw/ezZexm8bU_A/s1600/100_5872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-77M2FLLVE4k/TiyAN0ANjQI/AAAAAAAAAbw/ezZexm8bU_A/s320/100_5872.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Building next to the Duomo.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XyHiUUxdvRQ/TiyAe3zgJDI/AAAAAAAAAb0/URY_GqmJsMk/s1600/100_5898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XyHiUUxdvRQ/TiyAe3zgJDI/AAAAAAAAAb0/URY_GqmJsMk/s320/100_5898.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Place was huge. And awesome.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nkbXpVMrQbg/TiyAs7vAnaI/AAAAAAAAAb4/xAQSEtSmW2M/s1600/100_5900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nkbXpVMrQbg/TiyAs7vAnaI/AAAAAAAAAb4/xAQSEtSmW2M/s320/100_5900.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sweet.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R-AxmRM95gI/TiyA83VVv1I/AAAAAAAAAb8/X_3Kn6OaZq4/s1600/100_5901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R-AxmRM95gI/TiyA83VVv1I/AAAAAAAAAb8/X_3Kn6OaZq4/s320/100_5901.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My favorite spot in Milan: The Leonardo da Vinci statue.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7aS7_Q5ZguI/TiyBM2TK_dI/AAAAAAAAAcA/C_YPSZ0Y5tY/s1600/100_5903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7aS7_Q5ZguI/TiyBM2TK_dI/AAAAAAAAAcA/C_YPSZ0Y5tY/s320/100_5903.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I kind of wanted to listen to rap music looking at this thing. Great pose.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YirsAPmyWnc/TiyBaMoO4lI/AAAAAAAAAcE/V7G8fk77HJg/s1600/100_5906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YirsAPmyWnc/TiyBaMoO4lI/AAAAAAAAAcE/V7G8fk77HJg/s320/100_5906.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I read about this Luini's place. So I tried it out.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1QV8vtjqfSI/TiyBm5AGJ8I/AAAAAAAAAcI/xnSlwpluY4w/s1600/100_5907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1QV8vtjqfSI/TiyBm5AGJ8I/AAAAAAAAAcI/xnSlwpluY4w/s320/100_5907.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Panzerotti are good. Both the spicy salami pizza-ish ones and the chocolate cake dessert ones.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I1S8dBVaELM/TiyB3Fg1j4I/AAAAAAAAAcM/GkZpzhvXfj4/s1600/100_5911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I1S8dBVaELM/TiyB3Fg1j4I/AAAAAAAAAcM/GkZpzhvXfj4/s320/100_5911.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Words cannot describe how much I enjoy this random wall decoration.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pvzzoDGPEWE/TiyCEfPLRhI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/44kISeSJEd8/s1600/100_5912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pvzzoDGPEWE/TiyCEfPLRhI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/44kISeSJEd8/s320/100_5912.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">San Stefano Maggiore.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Foundation dates back to the fifth century.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9lafLwxE-RQ/TiyCQUQRWcI/AAAAAAAAAcU/QYG70BEBsv8/s1600/100_5917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9lafLwxE-RQ/TiyCQUQRWcI/AAAAAAAAAcU/QYG70BEBsv8/s320/100_5917.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had the place literally all to myself for a bit.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z4MH61M_sNo/TiyCf3nsn_I/AAAAAAAAAcY/eiV4skPUj3E/s1600/100_5926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z4MH61M_sNo/TiyCf3nsn_I/AAAAAAAAAcY/eiV4skPUj3E/s320/100_5926.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">San Babila</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OrArJcOZqtI/TiyCwIaxDjI/AAAAAAAAAcc/eZyfqf3ikOg/s1600/100_5928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OrArJcOZqtI/TiyCwIaxDjI/AAAAAAAAAcc/eZyfqf3ikOg/s320/100_5928.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love clock towers.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cxkSiahiXWc/TiyDAFHK2pI/AAAAAAAAAcg/C29htE2MX7k/s1600/100_5932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cxkSiahiXWc/TiyDAFHK2pI/AAAAAAAAAcg/C29htE2MX7k/s320/100_5932.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Random modern art piece among beautiful buildings. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uWGCbl24QFI/TiyDPcS_KtI/AAAAAAAAAck/1XUu-0kEul0/s1600/100_5935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uWGCbl24QFI/TiyDPcS_KtI/AAAAAAAAAck/1XUu-0kEul0/s320/100_5935.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I want a house with statues like this on both sides of my door. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gjH3Z-9LK38/TiyDcGA0HoI/AAAAAAAAAco/pXe2OivOcdo/s1600/100_5940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gjH3Z-9LK38/TiyDcGA0HoI/AAAAAAAAAco/pXe2OivOcdo/s320/100_5940.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Symmetrical. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0cZ3UlEO4Ow/TiyDr4UmK5I/AAAAAAAAAcs/40oUXrO4r5I/s1600/100_5941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0cZ3UlEO4Ow/TiyDr4UmK5I/AAAAAAAAAcs/40oUXrO4r5I/s320/100_5941.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I went back to the Leonardo statue. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lEH_VdK6x60/TiyD7ZBK6nI/AAAAAAAAAcw/riIQQrLkvBg/s1600/100_5946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lEH_VdK6x60/TiyD7ZBK6nI/AAAAAAAAAcw/riIQQrLkvBg/s320/100_5946.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Voldemort's cousins. Love me some Voldey. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ldX8eNDTa44/TiyEMQrQf7I/AAAAAAAAAc0/_sKc5mzZmWY/s1600/100_5948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ldX8eNDTa44/TiyEMQrQf7I/AAAAAAAAAc0/_sKc5mzZmWY/s320/100_5948.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I found a striped house. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iCgnoD268Y8/TiyEbXgVCYI/AAAAAAAAAc4/ImT1CzATxh0/s1600/100_5951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iCgnoD268Y8/TiyEbXgVCYI/AAAAAAAAAc4/ImT1CzATxh0/s320/100_5951.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Seriously. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9wXFaRZNjus/TiyEqp3UI8I/AAAAAAAAAc8/KrHQr054jbU/s1600/100_5953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9wXFaRZNjus/TiyEqp3UI8I/AAAAAAAAAc8/KrHQr054jbU/s320/100_5953.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This church liked me. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-257xTCvXnaY/TiyE1Jp_NBI/AAAAAAAAAdA/5qT61lnzLRQ/s1600/100_5957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-257xTCvXnaY/TiyE1Jp_NBI/AAAAAAAAAdA/5qT61lnzLRQ/s320/100_5957.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Notice the symbolic number of candles I captured. Total accident, actually. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i44XCG3x_HA/TiyFBdY-KqI/AAAAAAAAAdE/JpLw4IahWXg/s1600/100_5968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i44XCG3x_HA/TiyFBdY-KqI/AAAAAAAAAdE/JpLw4IahWXg/s320/100_5968.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The paintings on the walls were intense. This was probably the most...interesting? </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5ulSBoV-Cx0/TiyFPgzYGUI/AAAAAAAAAdI/AeRzVMnp2iM/s1600/100_5971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5ulSBoV-Cx0/TiyFPgzYGUI/AAAAAAAAAdI/AeRzVMnp2iM/s320/100_5971.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Closing in on the castle. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4lQJdgKfGKk/TiyFg1ezRFI/AAAAAAAAAdM/0fZ7pxg7zyE/s1600/100_5972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4lQJdgKfGKk/TiyFg1ezRFI/AAAAAAAAAdM/0fZ7pxg7zyE/s320/100_5972.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Awesome statue. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Uso3En9OFU/TiyFyIeZSXI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/SXsUqsQ1flI/s1600/100_5975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Uso3En9OFU/TiyFyIeZSXI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/SXsUqsQ1flI/s320/100_5975.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Complete with fountain. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gEssMhYNckA/TiyGBW3fKGI/AAAAAAAAAdU/c61CC3__QhE/s1600/100_5981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gEssMhYNckA/TiyGBW3fKGI/AAAAAAAAAdU/c61CC3__QhE/s320/100_5981.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Main gate. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0vbVsG7Rvb0/TiyGQjKlBeI/AAAAAAAAAdY/LLTxWtEzWZ8/s1600/100_5982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0vbVsG7Rvb0/TiyGQjKlBeI/AAAAAAAAAdY/LLTxWtEzWZ8/s320/100_5982.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Right tower. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tAXl7Bit2Bw/TiyGgJENBPI/AAAAAAAAAdc/OVugj5NHy0s/s1600/100_5986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tAXl7Bit2Bw/TiyGgJENBPI/AAAAAAAAAdc/OVugj5NHy0s/s320/100_5986.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Castle gardens.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RK0ChANu__g/TiyGuNmE3sI/AAAAAAAAAdg/_CT7eMd_Jo4/s1600/100_5992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RK0ChANu__g/TiyGuNmE3sI/AAAAAAAAAdg/_CT7eMd_Jo4/s320/100_5992.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">At the end of the gardens there is an arch.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Not an arch of triumph, but an arch of peace.</div><div style="text-align: center;">But I still felt triumphant at it.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YWaDB1FQ31M/TiyG7wX9LXI/AAAAAAAAAdk/uSLBvzr5aek/s1600/100_5994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YWaDB1FQ31M/TiyG7wX9LXI/AAAAAAAAAdk/uSLBvzr5aek/s320/100_5994.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Symmetric, isn't it?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_hyWoIk51c/TiyHIB8HTBI/AAAAAAAAAdo/QEY_mIS1CO8/s1600/100_6000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_hyWoIk51c/TiyHIB8HTBI/AAAAAAAAAdo/QEY_mIS1CO8/s320/100_6000.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These two played gorgeous music.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Learning to play the violin is on my bucket list.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not as exciting as El Encierro, but you can't win 'em all.</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dCIrs3f8wxQ/TiyHUsZDc7I/AAAAAAAAAds/dizQqosvrXU/s1600/100_6006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dCIrs3f8wxQ/TiyHUsZDc7I/AAAAAAAAAds/dizQqosvrXU/s320/100_6006.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the Palace. Kinda uneventful.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--GEixjRdoZY/TiyHjxoP1qI/AAAAAAAAAdw/bxXRPu42oNI/s1600/100_6009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--GEixjRdoZY/TiyHjxoP1qI/AAAAAAAAAdw/bxXRPu42oNI/s320/100_6009.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I went back to the Duomo for some writing.</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xyYMw7lRNgA/TiyHxIUco0I/AAAAAAAAAd0/NY_h__jL2h8/s1600/100_6014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xyYMw7lRNgA/TiyHxIUco0I/AAAAAAAAAd0/NY_h__jL2h8/s320/100_6014.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pretty.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NyTqDFUWZh8/TiyH_qG4ENI/AAAAAAAAAd4/RRysp5SD-d0/s1600/100_6020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NyTqDFUWZh8/TiyH_qG4ENI/AAAAAAAAAd4/RRysp5SD-d0/s320/100_6020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is Central Station.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz5MbsozMj1AVa_wmhj26OcIVWO8qDOUzL-xTVDxuS2g0BcLtz_HN-pAUMgNX4EULt97MCW1_PWoqHMhhA-' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I made friends while waiting for my train.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I said goodbye to Andrea and his girlfriend (my landpeople) and headed to Venice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Venice is my new favorite place to write poetry.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I think I'm in love.</div>Calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478986722468607006noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146520262255821645.post-8135255127737629722011-07-20T07:49:00.000-04:002011-07-20T07:49:24.595-04:00Hike AndorraGreetings from Andorra la Vella. Andorra is a tiny, tiny, beautiful, beautiful country nestled safely in between France and Spain, right in the middle of the Pyrenees mountains. The official language is Catalan, although French and Spanish are spoken as well (obviously). <br />
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I think I read that there are about 80,000 people living in the country, but pull in the shoppers and the number goes way up. Things here are "duty free" (which, to me, just makes it sound like you're buying stuff from <em>SkyMall</em> magazine), so there are stores galore. Needless to say, a guy with a 7-week beard and a backpack on his back isn't a common sight. But that's ok with me, because I came more for the mountains and the language than the shopping.<br />
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Here is what my drive into Andorra looked like:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ujjhkpa5tbk/Tia4pP3ANlI/AAAAAAAAAao/mbtilVBCwl8/s1600/100_5738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ujjhkpa5tbk/Tia4pP3ANlI/AAAAAAAAAao/mbtilVBCwl8/s320/100_5738.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PC0rTRFXht4/Tia44ZGDZLI/AAAAAAAAAas/_K3jhOExtO4/s1600/100_5736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PC0rTRFXht4/Tia44ZGDZLI/AAAAAAAAAas/_K3jhOExtO4/s320/100_5736.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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I spent this morning trying to chase down an Andorra patch for my bag. Catalan is fun to play charades in, but I eventually found a lady who knew where I could find one. It's not the Andorran flag, but it has a pretty cool crest on it, so I'll live.<br />
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Yesterday I went on a hike. And Monday, when I got here...I, well, I went on a hike.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">MONDAY - CALVIN GOES EAST</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uN4E1XPIs3A/Tia0VFTi7nI/AAAAAAAAAZs/g-P5n85iA08/s1600/100_5742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uN4E1XPIs3A/Tia0VFTi7nI/AAAAAAAAAZs/g-P5n85iA08/s320/100_5742.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I found a bridge over the little river that runs behind my hotel. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cbs-qBAcfOI/Tia0luf0oAI/AAAAAAAAAZw/b-v9ueDvg4s/s1600/100_5746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cbs-qBAcfOI/Tia0luf0oAI/AAAAAAAAAZw/b-v9ueDvg4s/s320/100_5746.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I followed a road up the mountain. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BIBGzm8JV5I/Tia05fpjK5I/AAAAAAAAAZ0/askj6SuUNY8/s1600/100_5747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BIBGzm8JV5I/Tia05fpjK5I/AAAAAAAAAZ0/askj6SuUNY8/s320/100_5747.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I found a hilarious statue. Who commissions this crap? </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YY2OB3H4aMw/Tia1NZGOhtI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/8sGBFomaGHo/s1600/100_5752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YY2OB3H4aMw/Tia1NZGOhtI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/8sGBFomaGHo/s320/100_5752.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I found an unmarked trail, so I took it. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j3ofZtFHJRs/Tia1hWudNjI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/JcnSTX1dPMY/s1600/100_5759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j3ofZtFHJRs/Tia1hWudNjI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/JcnSTX1dPMY/s320/100_5759.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I found yellow dots on a few trees and rocks. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NIP5n7ZSsvY/Tia1vn5IrcI/AAAAAAAAAaA/F45PqsBD4Mc/s1600/100_5761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NIP5n7ZSsvY/Tia1vn5IrcI/AAAAAAAAAaA/F45PqsBD4Mc/s320/100_5761.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hooray for self timers. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pCrjvuEZEWY/Tia1-ErMQ6I/AAAAAAAAAaE/mlboZZq1-uA/s1600/100_5766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pCrjvuEZEWY/Tia1-ErMQ6I/AAAAAAAAAaE/mlboZZq1-uA/s320/100_5766.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">They (the yellow dots) led me to this not-so-well-anchored ladder that climbs to the cliff face. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fl3IcWnFcc0/Tia2MAbNHeI/AAAAAAAAAaI/8Bb80qL1PRM/s1600/100_5765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fl3IcWnFcc0/Tia2MAbNHeI/AAAAAAAAAaI/8Bb80qL1PRM/s320/100_5765.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Material d'Assegurament Obligatori"? </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aVfLmnzTwZY/Tia2Y9K8EVI/AAAAAAAAAaM/YI4tR9AIKL4/s1600/100_5767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aVfLmnzTwZY/Tia2Y9K8EVI/AAAAAAAAAaM/YI4tR9AIKL4/s320/100_5767.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Whatever that means. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qQvxzyPyQ98/Tia2odq5aaI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/2kgFPSYufjs/s1600/100_5770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qQvxzyPyQ98/Tia2odq5aaI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/2kgFPSYufjs/s320/100_5770.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I found a very reassuring horse skull. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lxeDSnjUig4/Tia23sxuKaI/AAAAAAAAAaU/_HKvvd8spdg/s1600/100_5771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lxeDSnjUig4/Tia23sxuKaI/AAAAAAAAAaU/_HKvvd8spdg/s320/100_5771.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">So I took a picture with it. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3mXIJpc3tNg/Tia3MFUyAvI/AAAAAAAAAaY/YyxhGSDQ4DA/s1600/100_5778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3mXIJpc3tNg/Tia3MFUyAvI/AAAAAAAAAaY/YyxhGSDQ4DA/s320/100_5778.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">That's Andorra la Vella down there. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jZxghWT29Jw/Tia3ask3PMI/AAAAAAAAAac/kBZi8jQ-xZQ/s1600/100_5785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jZxghWT29Jw/Tia3ask3PMI/AAAAAAAAAac/kBZi8jQ-xZQ/s320/100_5785.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I made it to the saddle between peaks.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Either summit was too far, and I only had about an hour before sunset.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JaSIkyJwo-s/Tia3rikLdzI/AAAAAAAAAag/V-pjGLYvTT8/s1600/100_5786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JaSIkyJwo-s/Tia3rikLdzI/AAAAAAAAAag/V-pjGLYvTT8/s320/100_5786.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I crossed a very poorly-kept bridge.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MrlkjZ7P7cc/Tia36-isu9I/AAAAAAAAAak/3_lwDxIgeJk/s1600/100_5787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MrlkjZ7P7cc/Tia36-isu9I/AAAAAAAAAak/3_lwDxIgeJk/s320/100_5787.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bottled at the source, kinda.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">~</div><br />
<div align="center">TUESDAY - CALVIN GOES WEST</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jX7RE7MPbjE/Tia8X54tKwI/AAAAAAAAAaw/5DiYmmmKSEI/s1600/100_5798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jX7RE7MPbjE/Tia8X54tKwI/AAAAAAAAAaw/5DiYmmmKSEI/s320/100_5798.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The trailhead was 11km away, so I decided to climb the front of the Pico de Carroi.</div><div style="text-align: center;">On my way through town, I found this church, St. Paul the Martyr. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kmutwaw8CZ0/Tia8mY780gI/AAAAAAAAAa0/KAvcQs7Zab4/s1600/100_5803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kmutwaw8CZ0/Tia8mY780gI/AAAAAAAAAa0/KAvcQs7Zab4/s320/100_5803.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I made my way mostly-legally to the bottom of the first rock face. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kpA5tN-i71c/Tia80mqd63I/AAAAAAAAAa4/y_BlaPuXUQw/s1600/100_5804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kpA5tN-i71c/Tia80mqd63I/AAAAAAAAAa4/y_BlaPuXUQw/s320/100_5804.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">They were drilling on it (putting up new anti-rockfall fences, I think), so I went around. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-puH9YmKcqPs/Tia9DsNN1LI/AAAAAAAAAa8/RukMS_urp0w/s1600/100_5807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-puH9YmKcqPs/Tia9DsNN1LI/AAAAAAAAAa8/RukMS_urp0w/s320/100_5807.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I got about this high before things got rocky. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6xxcpVoC37Q/Tia9SQPAHFI/AAAAAAAAAbA/zQ0h4paoEeU/s1600/100_5808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6xxcpVoC37Q/Tia9SQPAHFI/AAAAAAAAAbA/zQ0h4paoEeU/s320/100_5808.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">So I stopped for lunch to lighten my bag. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Glad I did. It got caught once or twice when I was crawling under trees.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G3RjTD-T5sA/Tia9kZuaU4I/AAAAAAAAAbE/fnUl9alnF50/s1600/100_5812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G3RjTD-T5sA/Tia9kZuaU4I/AAAAAAAAAbE/fnUl9alnF50/s320/100_5812.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">At first the rocks were big (and not stable). It was fun. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DhWgSbKDF5s/Tia91-Vli6I/AAAAAAAAAbI/tJjWnkeJwWo/s1600/100_5817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DhWgSbKDF5s/Tia91-Vli6I/AAAAAAAAAbI/tJjWnkeJwWo/s320/100_5817.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center">Then the rocks got tiny, steep, and scary.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So after an hour of tiny rocks, one and a half (minor) rock slides, and minimal bleeding, I decided it was time to go back to Andorra and eat some dinner. So I did.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">~</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">WEDNESDAY - CALVIN GOES TO ITALY</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">My time here in Andorra has come to a close (it's really expensive here), and I've decided that Spanish and Catalan make for a good time, but I have no idea what Italian is like (other than a few key phrases, like "Good Morning, Princess"), so I'm going to learn some Italian.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm off to Milan.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="center"></div>Calvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06478986722468607006noreply@blogger.com2