—Chapter 7 from The Architecture of Happiness by Alain de Botton (Pantheon Books, NY: 2006). Emphasis mine.

This led me to reflect on the subtle and not-so-subtle challenges of picking up books that others have worked on previously. Much of the process includes piecing together bits and pieces of the production process that are either out of date, forgotten, or completely new.

When the original designer of the book handed the files to me, I only saw a big mess. The images were in various modes and the fonts were not importing correctly. I only have a functional knowledge of InDesign so these image problems were definitely out of my skill set. It may have served me better to start with the raw manuscript, but of course, this was unavailable.

Working on limited budget and  resources, I had to reign in our staff designer and a former volunteer graphic design intern. It was a nightmare to plan, but as scheduling and design gods have allowed, we moved along the production–stumbling along the way.

Six months, for most production schedules for reprints, may seem too long despite the book’s design challenges. For a small publisher, the process feels longer, particularly when manpower is stretched and other books push it further back.

This made me realize the patience required of me to plan clearly and calmly with projects like this. With the demands of newer books in production and my own personal schedule, it is a tough juggling act that I have to perform quickly. It requires tact and grace to push the book through completion as efficiently as possible. But I also have to think of the designers I work with and not forget to be grateful for their work.

The beauty of a small publishing house and of one driven by a mission other than profit is that you begin to understand the relationships between the different departments. As cliches would have it, we are not only cogs in the machine, but links on a chain as well. Without one aspect or link, we grow weaker and fall apart. Books that challenge us in different parts of its acquisition, production, and launch emphasize the importance of maintaining these relationships. We all recognize the need to finish our task, but we also continually learn to cope with bad days, bad news, and awful technical glitches.

I sent the book to preflight last week and it came back with a lengthy report of errors and glitches. It went back to the designer and intern today and I hope for some good news. Tomorrow calls for another juggling act and I hope this time when I toss those pins in the air, they land in my hands with grace and ease.

If not, I’m sure (lots of) coffee will get me through it.

Or maybe I’m just becoming increasingly clumsy.

Challenge accepted.

Now the hard work begins. I have lesson plans due in two weeks and I have but a small idea of how to tackle the theme and the expected results of the five-week class. I’ve been buried in research, brainstorming a possible weekly structure that incorporates writing and discussion of social issues. Right now the balance leans heavier on social justice, but I can’t forget that at the end of the five weeks, they have to be prepared to write their personal statements. I’ll have to teach basic composition, which according to Kim Brooks, is a grueling task (and I agree). As much as I want to talk about the news, social movements, and literature, I have to make sure they know how to fix sentence fragments, write a strong thesis statement, and properly use a comma.

I’m happy to do the work, but I find myself torn between two needs: to engage students and to teach them how to write in a formal setting. As I look at this summer program’s theme, I can’t help but ask myself: In light of all these important social issues, what does a misplaced comma or an occasional sentence fragment matter? I tell my Saturday Academy students that to write well is to think clearly (as David McCollough is quoted to have said), and thinking clearly and critically makes a big difference in how we view the world, how we interpret it, and how we share it.

I know these students have opinions, I’ve read them in one of my anonymous journal entry exercises. I know that there’s somewhere in there, in those teenage Twi-nerd hearts, that wants to effect change and take on the issues of their generation. How do I do it? How do I ferry these souls through the river of tedium that is composition?

Ideas?

P.S. I don’t really know if they like Twilight. That really shouldn’t matter, but just for clarity’s sake.

Dear Guam,

I like you, but I like seeing people leave you and meeting up with them again in California instead. But thank you for allowing me to meet them in the first place. Please keep them coming. Love, F.

Dear Friends I Don’t See Very Often,

I’m sorry for not keeping in touch better. I promise I will try harder and see you soon. Loving from a distance, F.

Dear Tina Fey and Sarah Silverman,

Thanks for reminding me that I can have “lady nuts” and still be assertive without completely turning into a witch. Or a troll. Or whatever. Also, you’re both pretty funny. Love, F.

Dear Chelsea Handler,

I’ve moved on. I’m sorry it didn’t work out. Best, F.

Dear Unfinished Art Projects,

I promise I’ll get back to you as soon as I get supplies. I’ve just come back from Art Night and I look forward to exploring my creative side when I return from Michael’s or Target. Be back soon—F.

Dear WordPress,

Thanks for this new distraction-free writing feature. I’m really getting a lot of writing done. In the end, that’s the best review I can give. And thanks for housing my thoughts and brain farts. Love, F.

Inspired by Leah Dieterich of Thx Thx Thx.

Screenshot from NPR.org

The death of Osama bin Laden brings a little bit of closure to me, though I eagerly look to the coming days, weeks, and months as the country moves forward from this chapter in history. I can’t explain this strange mixed feelings of relief, sadness, uncertainty, all wrapped up in confusion and questions. Our world after 9/11 has shifted so much, it feels like nothing has really changed or that nothing really will. So many facets of our society has been damaged by the tragedy, and we’ve only been trying to mend, however flawlessly or foolishly, for a decade. I join millions of Americans in asking what will happen next as we move on to the next chapter of post-9/11 America. I’d be naive to think that this is the end of our wars in the Middle East, though I silently hope it would.

For all the service members past and present, at home and abroad, I can only offer my sincere gratitude in your continuing efforts and sacrifice. The war may not be over, but those of us here, sitting comfortably at home, watching historic moments unfold through a screen when you face them yourself, are truly honored by your service. To those who lost family members on 9/11 and in the wars, I echo New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s sentiments:

“The killing of Osama bin Laden does not lessen the suffering that New Yorkers and Americans experienced at his hands, but it is a critically important victory for our nation—and a tribute to the millions of men and women in our armed forces and elsewhere who have fought so hard for our nation. … New Yorkers have waited nearly 10 years for this news. It is my hope that it will bring some closure and comfort to all those who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001.”

I also hope we don’t forget the rest of the world, especially those in countries like Egypt, Libya, Syria, Yemen and Tunisia, who are still under turmoil and much uncertainty.

Desk, that is.

Plagued by the daily (sometimes, hourly) updates from Apartment Therapy and in the same vein as my rearranging/reinvention stint, I’ve been hunting for desks and other furniture for five weeks now. It is exhausting to find the right desk. I’m of the opinion that if you have a decent desk, writing will be easier and the daily exercise just might produce some good work. Something about the smell of particle board just tells me that new, exciting things are abound.

What I’m starting to realize now, however, and at a bad time, is that most of my writing comes when I’m not trying to write. Ironic, I know. And I really should have known this was going to happen.

I realize that I do a lot of writing in my head while I’m walking the dog, waiting in line at a coffee shop, looking for desks online, in the shower, or when I’m on the phone with friends. Sometimes I consult the many mini-notebooks that have fallen victim to half sentences scribbled in bad pens (sometimes stubby pencils). The time I spend writing at a desk is when I flesh it all out and tease the words out of my brain. Then, I suppose any old desk would do.

I guess it’s not the desk that you need, or a new laptop, new pens, or leather-bound notebooks, to write (though they certainly help). Sometimes all you really need is a space that is yours and time selfishly devoted to committing your thoughts to paper. So until I get my own little writing nook or a small cottage out in the woods to write, I’ll focus on making my space as conducive to writing as possible. And guard my writing time against the hawks of distraction: Facebook, email, and web episodes of The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.

Spring 2010

Spring 2011

Starting new endeavors always feels so refreshing and exciting when you do it in the springtime.

A very thoughtful tweet by my friend Melissa on March 9th sparked an idea for a quick post. She tweeted: “This Lenten season, instead of doing something less, do more good and do it often.”

So I did some digging and here are some ideas to do more good.

For starters, if you’ve no clue how to or what you can do to help, there are websites that can help find the budding philanthropist in you. GOOD Guide to Volunteering breaks down four types of volunteers: the Citizen, the Environmentalist, the Mentor, and the Do-It-Yourselfer. Each type offers some insight to the kind of charities and organizations that could be of interest. Plus, TONS of infographics on topics like why it’s so hard to quit smoking, the power of volunteering, and the best and worst countries in which to pay taxes. They also have news and blog articles on various current event topics to get some background information on your cause of choice.

Websites like VolunteerMatch and United We Serve can give you an idea of what volunteer opportunities are available near you. If you have an idea or particular interest in a community that needs help, you can do a general Google search, but be warned. This would take a lot of sifting, sorting, and specific search terms.

If you’d rather donate money, websites like Charity Navigator evaluate and rank charities based on efficiency and capacity. The website lists compensations for CEO’s and directors, as well as a chart showing percentages of donations used in administrative expenses vs. programs. The IRS website also has a quick way to check an organization’s charity status and eligibility to receive tax-deductible donations.

As usual, you must do your own vetting and research to find an organization you’re interested in. And with that said, make sure the organizations are legitimate. There are unscrupulous people out there who will take advantage of emergencies, natural disaster relief efforts, and the like to scam people. But don’t let that discourage you. With enough research and a willingness to help, you’re sure to find an organization that fits you and your philanthropic endeavors.

Happy volunteering!

Success!

The textbooks collected last September and October have reached La Carlota City! We donated over 200+ textbooks, paperbacks, and other reading/educational materials during the September-October Rockin’ Reads Textbook Drive! Many thanks to friends, friends of friends, and other community members who generously donated their unwanted books and reading materials. THANKS, EVERYONE!

I was told that there’s a letter from the city librarian and the La Carlota city mayor, but I’ve yet to get my hands on it. I will try my best get a hold of it—if not scan and post it here. I bet La Carlota Association of America had no idea we could generate this great of a response! Nonetheless, I’m very proud and happy to have been able to put together this mini-textbook drive and help out. Thanks to YOU, we’ve done some great work and cleared out some space in our garages! I’m deeply encouraged by the amount of good we can do, if we work together. Even if it’s just gathering books we no longer want/need.

On that note, I just picked up about 30 poetry books over the weekend and those are also heading to La Carlota. I’ve been told that donations are ongoing, so if you still have leftover books, magazines, etc., please let me know.

I’m hoping to organize small things like this in the future ( and not just limited to book drives) to benefit other groups, so if you have any ideas or are interested in helping, please let me know.

Thanks, donors. And for your good work, here’s a big virtual hug from me.