Suzzette Dawes's Blog, page 11
July 11, 2015
Politics and Poetry
Politics can evoke strong emotions. That passion can inspire poetry. A couple politicians have been known to be poets too. One that comes to mind is A.P. Herbert and I think of his titles:
Another poet, the Jamaican poet, Louise Bennett Coverly (Miss Lou) informed us, criticized us and entertained us with her poetry. Political issues of the day such as brain drain where talented people were leaving the island and going to England provided much fodder such as in "Colonization in Reverse." Miss Lou's poetry not only entertained but provided historical and political insight of events.
So to honor my influential poets at a time when so many Republican candidates are running for president and our former governor released thirty- three years of his tax return, my poem of the week:
I Like Them FluffyMy favorite three of his doesn't seem to have much to do with politics but they are quite entertaining.
At The Theatre: To The Lady Behind Me
I Cant See What He Sees in Her
Another poet, the Jamaican poet, Louise Bennett Coverly (Miss Lou) informed us, criticized us and entertained us with her poetry. Political issues of the day such as brain drain where talented people were leaving the island and going to England provided much fodder such as in "Colonization in Reverse." Miss Lou's poetry not only entertained but provided historical and political insight of events.
So to honor my influential poets at a time when so many Republican candidates are running for president and our former governor released thirty- three years of his tax return, my poem of the week:
July 4, 2015
Late Night Humor
I can't stand watching the news but I will read it online and the newspaper. I get the Sunday paper (ok, also for the coupons) and update myself with what's going on locally and the world. National news was that the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Affordable Care Act. I laugh at the late night humor usually on the opinion but I had an issue with Jimmy.
Let Jimmy Laugh
Laugh as you're neither unemployed or underemployed Laugh as you're the rich employee on TVWith perks and benefits wherever you go.Laugh that "we could drink, smoke, jump mini-bikes off bridgesOr play chainsaw tag if we want to."Laugh that "if we get hurt, it's not our problem.It's America's problem...."
For many years, for many peopleFull time jobs with benefits like healthcareStayed out of reach. Many people made ends meetBy working two or even three part-time jobsAnd couldn't afford to buy themselvesOr their family basic healthcare.Yet so easily go bankrupt if they Or a loved one became seriously sick.They needed some healthcareAnd the Affordable Care Act provided that.
Be glad for your TV gig and keep up your ratingsSo you can laugh and make frivolous health thingsThat other industrialized countries provide for their denizens.Your example of people doing stupid thingsMock the people who need medical coverage for serious conditions.So you can laugh until you're no longer on TV,broke or just working paycheck to paycheck -Don't get sick if you have no medical insuranceThen you'd have to laugh at yourself!
Copyrighted 2015 Suzzette Dawes
Source: Kimmel, Jimmy. "Late Night Humor." Sun-Sentinel. 28 June 2015. 18A. Print.
June 27, 2015
Brace Yourself!
It's near the end of June and I am already hearing people say how hot it is in South Florida. Some say that they feel like a pizza baking in the oven. Some say when they step outside, it feels like they stepped into a sauna. Well, here's what I have to say: Brace yourself! We still got July and August!
So drink plenty of water and stay hydrated during the day. Then stop by Cinema Paradiso at 7 pm and enjoy some poetry.
So drink plenty of water and stay hydrated during the day. Then stop by Cinema Paradiso at 7 pm and enjoy some poetry.
June 20, 2015
Acronyms, to use and how to use
Tonight (Saturday, June 20, 2015), I will be at CP-H during the D.H.A.W. and next Saturday (June 27, 2015), I will be hosting poetry reading at CP-L and going afterwards to F.L.A.W.
When you look at that sentence above, does it annoy you?
The use of acronyms is on of my pet peeve so I was delighted to read that someone sent a letter to Miss Manners* on "Understanding acronyms." I wholeheartedly sympathize with the writer of the letter and disagree with Miss Manner's response that since the letter writer speak of the use of acronyms at work that it is up to the letter writer "to learn the terms in common use."
I also acknowledge the usefulness of acronym but admonishes the use when acronym is unfamiliar to the addressees. In my work experience, I was at a meeting and saw on the powerpoint and heard the presenter use an acronym. I didn't know the meaning and since I saw bunch of people nodding in what looked like assent, I asked. The first person didn't know the meaning so we both asked another who didn't know then we asked the presenter who also didn't know. Finally, we asked the manager who looked it up and gave us the definition of a new acronym for the new process that was presented in the meeting.
Just as how this presenter was using an acronym that was unfamiliar, people will use acronyms without knowing their meaning. I am reminded by my college classmate's sister who avoided using swear words and frequently admonish me when I did. One day, I heard her describe a fellow as a "S.O.B." so I asked her what it meant. She gave me a strange look like how is it that you don't know then told me that it was another word for "real jerk." Then I informed her it was an acronym and spelt out the words for her. She was shocked.
Therefore Miss Manners, sometimes people just drop acronyms ( jargons and buzzwords too) to look cool. They might not even know the meaning themselves. Moreover, I like the tip this letter provides:
"To ensure the meaning of your acronym is communicated is to precede an acronym with its expanded name the first time it's used in conversation" or a document.
This is very good advice as certain acronyms can be shared (picture this: a bunch of chemists who belong to ACS decided to participate in a run to benefit ACS; in the preceding, 1st ACS means American Chemical Society while 2nd ACS means American Cancer Society).
So to unencrypt my phrase above:
Tonight (Saturday, June 20, 2015), I will be at Cinema Paradiso in Hollywood during the Downtown Hollywood ArtWalk and next Saturday (June 27, 2015), I will be hosting poetry reading at Cinema Paradiso in Ft. Lauderdale and going to Fort Lauderdale Art Walk afterwards.
This is an acrostic poem that is in a novel (working title: Totems) that I am currently writing:
*Source: "Understanding Acronyms" (Letter to Miss Manners). Sun- Sentinel. Travel & Life section. Sunday, June 7, 2015. Print. or http://www.uexpress.com/miss-manners/...
When you look at that sentence above, does it annoy you?
The use of acronyms is on of my pet peeve so I was delighted to read that someone sent a letter to Miss Manners* on "Understanding acronyms." I wholeheartedly sympathize with the writer of the letter and disagree with Miss Manner's response that since the letter writer speak of the use of acronyms at work that it is up to the letter writer "to learn the terms in common use."
I also acknowledge the usefulness of acronym but admonishes the use when acronym is unfamiliar to the addressees. In my work experience, I was at a meeting and saw on the powerpoint and heard the presenter use an acronym. I didn't know the meaning and since I saw bunch of people nodding in what looked like assent, I asked. The first person didn't know the meaning so we both asked another who didn't know then we asked the presenter who also didn't know. Finally, we asked the manager who looked it up and gave us the definition of a new acronym for the new process that was presented in the meeting.
Just as how this presenter was using an acronym that was unfamiliar, people will use acronyms without knowing their meaning. I am reminded by my college classmate's sister who avoided using swear words and frequently admonish me when I did. One day, I heard her describe a fellow as a "S.O.B." so I asked her what it meant. She gave me a strange look like how is it that you don't know then told me that it was another word for "real jerk." Then I informed her it was an acronym and spelt out the words for her. She was shocked.
Therefore Miss Manners, sometimes people just drop acronyms ( jargons and buzzwords too) to look cool. They might not even know the meaning themselves. Moreover, I like the tip this letter provides:
"To ensure the meaning of your acronym is communicated is to precede an acronym with its expanded name the first time it's used in conversation" or a document.
This is very good advice as certain acronyms can be shared (picture this: a bunch of chemists who belong to ACS decided to participate in a run to benefit ACS; in the preceding, 1st ACS means American Chemical Society while 2nd ACS means American Cancer Society).
So to unencrypt my phrase above:
Tonight (Saturday, June 20, 2015), I will be at Cinema Paradiso in Hollywood during the Downtown Hollywood ArtWalk and next Saturday (June 27, 2015), I will be hosting poetry reading at Cinema Paradiso in Ft. Lauderdale and going to Fort Lauderdale Art Walk afterwards.
This is an acrostic poem that is in a novel (working title: Totems) that I am currently writing:
*Source: "Understanding Acronyms" (Letter to Miss Manners). Sun- Sentinel. Travel & Life section. Sunday, June 7, 2015. Print. or http://www.uexpress.com/miss-manners/...
June 13, 2015
Rock On!
A lot of events were occurring the weekend of May 29-31. Driven Music Conference was in town. I attended the first day of panels and there was plenty of information. I may not have a band touring and some of the information I already knew but I still learnt something knew.
The evening was spent checking out the showcase at Revolution. I was encouraged to watch the whole showcase and support the last performing artists. Well, I'm glad I did because they are some gems. They had a diverse set from full bands to singers with pre-recorded sounds.
I felt bad for the singers with pre-recorded sounds because they needed an uncluttered stage to dance to accompany the music. Revolution stage was really maximized for bands and just bobbing up and down. So hats off to Aurora who had been in a dance club with her freestyle like Shannon style instead of playing after the first band and Danielle Lyndsay, who for whatever reason reminded me of Mary J. Blige, closed out the evening. On the plus side, I really appreciate being able to hear the vocals, the lyrics.
Driven 5/29/15(These are just some of the performances)
As much as Revolution is more accommodating to bands, the music tended to overwhelm the vocals and at times, I didn't know what they were saying so depending on if it had some catchy tune that I liked, later I researched them.
The first band, Above The Skyline ( https://www.facebook.com/ATS13 ) had the most audible lyrics and they were upbeat and quite contagious so I picked up their CD same night.
Then there was Aurora ( http://www.1auroramusic.com) she started off with her guitar and strong vocal presence then she sung along with her tracks. I would have liked it better if I was going dancing because she had some dancing beats.
Next I liked Death By Paris ( http://www.deathofparis.com). I really liked that lead singer sang unaccompanied then the band joined in. Wow she could sing because the rest of the time she had to scream over the music. I checked them outline but couldn't find that opening song as I really liked it.
The music was overwhelming the vocals even with the amount of mic check between bands. I could hear some of the words of Elevators (http://elevatorsrock.wix.com/elevatorsrock ) but their melody really stood out so I was induced to check them out online and I have to say they got some rocking tracks.
Finally Danielle (http://www.daniellelyndsay.com/), a R&B songstress came on. Revolution was almost empty because people don't stay to the end of the showcase (not even the other performers). She belted her heart out regardless and bounced like she was in a packed club and the club was bouncing along.
Well Saturday I was done and didn't make it to any panels because I woke so late and still had some errands to run. My plan was the panels then the ArtWalk (skip the 2nd day of showcases because my ears can only take so much). I missed the panels but the ArtWalk was fun!
Here's a poem from The Collection:
The evening was spent checking out the showcase at Revolution. I was encouraged to watch the whole showcase and support the last performing artists. Well, I'm glad I did because they are some gems. They had a diverse set from full bands to singers with pre-recorded sounds.
I felt bad for the singers with pre-recorded sounds because they needed an uncluttered stage to dance to accompany the music. Revolution stage was really maximized for bands and just bobbing up and down. So hats off to Aurora who had been in a dance club with her freestyle like Shannon style instead of playing after the first band and Danielle Lyndsay, who for whatever reason reminded me of Mary J. Blige, closed out the evening. On the plus side, I really appreciate being able to hear the vocals, the lyrics.
Driven 5/29/15(These are just some of the performances)As much as Revolution is more accommodating to bands, the music tended to overwhelm the vocals and at times, I didn't know what they were saying so depending on if it had some catchy tune that I liked, later I researched them.
The first band, Above The Skyline ( https://www.facebook.com/ATS13 ) had the most audible lyrics and they were upbeat and quite contagious so I picked up their CD same night.
Then there was Aurora ( http://www.1auroramusic.com) she started off with her guitar and strong vocal presence then she sung along with her tracks. I would have liked it better if I was going dancing because she had some dancing beats.
Next I liked Death By Paris ( http://www.deathofparis.com). I really liked that lead singer sang unaccompanied then the band joined in. Wow she could sing because the rest of the time she had to scream over the music. I checked them outline but couldn't find that opening song as I really liked it.
The music was overwhelming the vocals even with the amount of mic check between bands. I could hear some of the words of Elevators (http://elevatorsrock.wix.com/elevatorsrock ) but their melody really stood out so I was induced to check them out online and I have to say they got some rocking tracks.
Finally Danielle (http://www.daniellelyndsay.com/), a R&B songstress came on. Revolution was almost empty because people don't stay to the end of the showcase (not even the other performers). She belted her heart out regardless and bounced like she was in a packed club and the club was bouncing along.
Well Saturday I was done and didn't make it to any panels because I woke so late and still had some errands to run. My plan was the panels then the ArtWalk (skip the 2nd day of showcases because my ears can only take so much). I missed the panels but the ArtWalk was fun!
Here's a poem from The Collection:
