inProgress

I’m Smarter than Toni Morrison

June 6th, 2009 § 0

: Image via Wikipedia

Oh, what’s this? I have a blog? Fancy that. Sorry I’ve been MIA lately but it doesn’t mean I haven’t been busy. On the contrary I’m writing consistently for The Curator, have you checked out that magazine yet? If not, you should, it’s excellent. My latest piece was an attempt to explain where summer blockbusters get their awesomeness. My next piece will probably be about something techy. I’ve been having a lot of fun writing for and reading The Curator and highly recommend it.

I should probably explain the title of this post, “I’m smarter than Toni Morrison.” First of all, I’m not. But, sometimes I say I am. Or, at least, I said it to Steph last Wednesday night. Here’s the scenario. We got to go to the opening of the new American Wing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This was amazing. It was an invitation only kind of affair and we only got to go because Steph’s an intern there now.

A quick word about the new wing, woah.

And a few more words perhaps… It truly is incredible. You walk in and you feel like your outside in some kind of grand plaza with statues and old lamp posts and even the façade of a building that’s famous for something. The ceiling is mostly glass so the light is natural, outside light and it’s tall, very, very tall. Then, you can go into the building and there are rooms decorated with period pieces and this somehow attaches to the old American wing which I had walked around before but I found it difficult to figure out where the old stuff ended and the new part began. It was cool. (Eloquent, I know.)

Anyway, I’m trying to get around to explaining the title and I know I’m taking the long way. There’s an explanation for that too: Steph and I went to see “Away We Go” tonight (more on that later) and against Steph’s stern warning I bought myself a $5 medium Diet Coke and then drank it all. The movie was at 9:30PM. It’s quarter of one now. I don’t see sleep in my near future…or coherence for that matter.

Ok so, we finish walking through the American wing (did I mention they have these really cool touch screen computers to tell you about what it is your seeing…Art + Technology = Awesome), and we think we’re exiting when, suddenly, we hear jazz music. We turn the corner into the room with the reconstructed Egyptian temple (Steph’s favorite room she says, and also famous for being in “When Harry Met Sally”) and it is filled with people that are literally made of money (not literally, I guess, that’d be weird…but super rich), and there is a jazz band playing and there are three, count them, three, open bars. This was good for many reasons beyond the inherent goodness of open bars…I didn’t have any cash at all. None. And then, when I got nervous because although the bars were open I wouldn’t be able to tip the bartenders (I always tip a bartender), Steph informed me that it was tacky to tip at an event like this. Best. Baseless Social Convention. Ever.

So there was an open bar, we stuck around for a bit and wondered at the places that God has taken us in our collective life together (four years married, in a couple weeks), and then, when things seemed to be winding down and before anyone caught on that, by that point, we were just there for the free drinks, we left. On our way home we decided to stop at a favorite local spot, The Merchant, for a shared dessert. It was here that, for some reason, Steph accused me of thinking I’m so smart. A not entirely baseless accusation. (Not because I am so smart, just because I think I am) She started asking me who I thought I was smarter than and the group that followed was a completely random assortment of thinkers, politicians and writers. Namely, she asked, “Do you think you’re smarter than Noam Chomsky?” Yes. “Do you think you’re smarter than Barack Obama?” Yes, and isn’t it wonderful that our president is smart. Then, “Do you think you’re smarter than Toni Morrison?” Yes.

I honestly have no idea where she came up with Morrison. We’ve both read several of her novels, but not any recently; except that we downloaded her latest work as an audio book but as far as I know, Steph hasn’t got around listening to it yet.

So that’s the story. Not super exciting but it happened. And I don’t really think I’m smarter than all those people. Not yet anyway.

Briefly, about “Away We Go,” read this review by Alissa Wilkinson, editor of The Curator. She actually is a film critic and she takes on New York Times film critic A.O. Scott’s review. And, in my humble opinion, she wins.

I recommend this movie, I suppose with some reservations for some audiences, email me if you’re wondering if I think you would like it.

I suppose that’s enough for tonight. I should try to sleep again. My next publication is going to probably be a music review of two recent releases from Jersey City musicians, followed by a profile of a local author. Keep an eye out for those things coming soon.

In the meantime, thank you so much for reading to the end.

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Election Night, Jersey City Style

May 13th, 2009 § 1

: Image via Wikipedia

Last night was a crazy night. I was on assignement for the Jersey City Independent and in the span of 4 hours I made my way all over the downtown area of JC. From the Hudson County Clerk’s office to City Hall to Steven Fulop’s campaign headquarters to the Lamp Post Bar and Grille and finally home to write.

It was crazy, but fun. The fruits of my labor are manifest in 3 articles at JCI. Here they are:

Initial post, live last night is here. The main article detailing the results of the Mayoral election with a bit by me at the end about Fulop is here. And, finally, my main contribution with reporting from the locations listed above is here.

My profile of local historian/storyteller Bob Leach has been published at the Independent, read it here. (Note: this is an addendum rather than creating a new post to announce this publication.)

Thank you for caring.

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Where am I? Everywhere.

May 8th, 2009 § 0

: Image by wallyg via Flickr

Fact: Writing for other websites = bad for writing for my own website.

That being said, I’m happy to announce a new publication for Curator Magazine (who were kind enought to welcome me as a regular, monthly contributor). This month’s offering is, I think, a fine example of Jersey City evangelism, and is dedicated to all of those who have had to listen to Steph and I gush about our new home. Thank you.

The article is here.

A few other things:

Look for my profile of Jersey City historian/storyteller Bob Leach in an upcoming edition of the Jersey City Independent. I’ll let you know when it arrives.

I have a brilliant blog dreamed up wrapping in recent reading/viewing activity such as: finishing Watchmen, though not yet seeing the movie, seeing X-Men:Origins:Wovlerine, my anticipated viewing of Star Trek this weekend and reflections on “the future.” Coming soon to this space, unless I end up publishing it elsewhere.

Finally, a few friends have set up blogs…check them out.

Brother Busch’s “(D)evangelical” features irreverant reflections on religion: http://sworddrills.wordpress.com/

B Buell’s “The Last Laugh” reflects on serious subjects with a sense of humor: http://thelast1augh.wordpress.com/

Jon “The Irishman” Park’s PandaRantz feels devotional: http://pandarantz.blogspot.com/

Thanks, as always, for reading.

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I am a {Insert Political Affiliation Here} because of my faith…

April 17th, 2009 § 4

In recent days there has been a resurgence of political debate over on Facebook. In numerous posts, many people have wieghed in on the Department of Homeland Security memo regarding so called “Right Wing Extremists,” Tea-Parties and the ever present economic crisis.

What I particularly like about these discussions (beside the fact that I am, by nature, argumentative) is that diverse view points are being offered, from all points on the political map, and in the case of the particular Facebook debates, all from professing Christians.

So, how does this happen. How is it that all of us can be sincere in our faiths, reading from the same Bible, often attending the same church (or, again, at FB, the same Christian college) and come to such different conclusions.

For this reason, I’m asking all who are willing, here on the blog, and also over at Facebook where I will be syndicating this post, to elaborate on the following statement:

I am a {Insert Political Affiliation Here} because of my faith.

So, let’s hear it. Write as long, or short as you’d like. Identify yourself by your name (on FB you’ll have no choice) or anonymous. Should you need more a prompt, reflect on the question, “How did your faith inform your decision of who to vote for in the last presidential election?”

My idea is to compile these and create a website with the same focus, one that will allow for continued discussion. But I’m getting started here as a kind of testing ground. If it bombs and no one wants to answer, that’s fine, but I hope many will.

I am really passionate about engaging fellow believers and in the process showing the world that Christians can be open minded, reflective, thoughtful and intelligent. Let’s show this face and maybe we can work to change the popular perception of us.

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A Redirection

April 10th, 2009 § 2

: Image by joiseyshowaa via Flickr

This week’s post is a redirection. That is, an article that I might have posted here actually found a home at a reputable online magazine, The Curator, a publication of the International Arts Movement. I discovered The Curator a month or two back and immediately added it to my Google Reader (are you using this to make all your favorite websites come to you? you should). I really can’t reccomend this magazine enough as many of the articles seem to be written by people who are living inside my head. I’ve confirmed that they’re not…but still, it’s an excellent read.

The name of my article is “Postmodernism, The Big Green Ogre,” because I use the example of the Shrek movies as a way of discussing how postmodern philosophy has “trickled down” (that feels dirty) to our contemporary culture. The article actually began as a review of James KA Smith’s book Who’s Afraid of Postmodernism which I continue to reccomend despite it’s hoaky title, but evolved into more of a musing. And honestly, I think it works a lot better in its current form. » Read the rest of this entry «

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Welcome Back for the First Time

March 30th, 2009 § 1

: Jersey City at Sunset
Image by caruba via Flickr

So this is the new home of inProgress. Back where it should be at the address I own where I have far more control over the look and feel. I changed to this different template, thinking I’d use it temporarily until I fully customize, but with the few mods I made, I’m kind of liking it. But I’m definitely open to feedback from anyone who may be reading.

Here’s what’s coming soon…hopefully:

I have an article due in a week on one of my favorite sujbects: Postmodernism! I’ll post a link to the fine online periodical that will be running that soon.
It was supposed to be that after the conference I was going to have all this time to read…but that hasn’t really played out yet. I’ve been working freelance on a few websites for friends and family. Check out www.heartisaninc.com for some of my latest, independent work.
I’ve made a sincere promise to a friend who let me borrow “Watchmen” to provide a review…which I fully intend to do. If the timing works out right I’ll finish the book, see the movie and write a review (all in the same weekend?)
On the backburner: Review of Chris Cleave’s novel “Little Bee,” Thoughts on “The Gift” by Lewis Hyde, Review of “The Wordy Shipmates” by Sarah Vowell…and more?!?

So, let me know what you think of the new design and feel free to offers reading suggestions so I can extend my Amazon wishlist ever longer. Peace.

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I’m really happy we were modern for a while, or am I being ironic?

March 6th, 2009 § 2

: Image via Wikipedia

It’s been a week now since my first experiment in live blogging the NEMLA conference. Time flies when you come home and get back to work and imagine a life in which you have time on a week night to do something you really want to do. Let me say, first, I really appreciate all of those who followed the fun on the blog and on Twitter (oh, I’m totally in now, http://www.twitter.com/jfitz81). It really meant a lot that while I was in Boston and since I’ve been back people have been asking how it went and all. Really, thank you for caring.

As to how it went…well, it went…well. I mentioned in my grossly uninformative last post that we had what I referred to as an “African lit” size crowd. For the un-initiated, “African lit” means African Literature and was the subject of the panel on which I was presenting. And for the slightly less un-initiated, an African lit size crowd means that there were four people at our panel. To offer a little bit of perspective, however, there were over 15 sessions during the 3-day conference and each session had over 15 panels. As a rule I don’t do math if I don’t have to, but that means there was a lot of competition. And though my panel-mates (colleagues is probably a better, but not more humorous, word) and I are completely convinced of the awesomeness and importance of our subject, it turns out the authors that have movies made about them still reign supreme (freaking Sylvia Plath). » Read the rest of this entry «

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Live from the NEMLA conference Day 2

February 28th, 2009 § 1

The next day – Sorry I left you hanging. In short, the presentation went well. Had an “African lit” size crowd. I’m back in JC now and tired. But I fully intend to provide more details very soon. Thanks for reading.

4:31 – Here goes.

2:57 – Just sat in on a panel about writing a cv and getting a job. Asked a question about “phd preferred” and found out I’m screwed til I get one. But I saw the dept chair from Endicott that gave me my first teaching position. Awesome. Also, I just ran into a prof from umass who was excited to dee me and who hooked me up with a lead for a future conference …by the way, I’m up after this panel. Yikes.

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Live from the NEMLA conference – Day 1

February 27th, 2009 § 1

5:55 – I left the building…that the conference is in. The last session I attended had to do with religion, the secular and literature. And it was really, really great. I intend to write about it in greater length here but my brain is fried. Speaking of brains being fried, I’m in the recording studio with Caspian listening in as they mix some tracks from their next album. I can say it’s even heavier than ever before.

1:27 – Holy crap. I just sat through two sessions. One on orality and post-colonialism and another on madness and modernism. Both pretty excellent. But it’s so much info to absorb. What’s initially striking to me is the willingness, in both panels, to engage religion, particularly Christianity. Ah sweet postmodernism. I’m going to skip the next session and take a walk around my beloved Boston.

9:53 – I’m waiting for the first session to start in a room full of people speaking only Italian. They were in the wrong place. Not me. All is well now.

9:12 – I’ve arrived. I’ve registered. I’m awkward. But so is everyone else. First session that I’m going to attend is at ten. Until then, ambling.

I’m on the train with my sister heading into Boston for the start of the conference. More to follow.