Picks from 751 magazine

[Here are a few of my favorite works published in the 2nd issue of 751 magazine.]

THE poetry of Ally Harris provides a two-way lens that is first critical of one's surroundings, and then seems to upturn the underbelly of the criticism. Her writing is not bold for the sake of being bold. The creative language of Harris sparks emotion and curiosity, which elicits rereads, which begets more emotion and curiosity. I couldn't escape how I felt after one read, and I caught myself revisiting and rereading a couple weeks later.

TWO flash fictions written by Tim Coe are crafted with a soft satirical tone that is familiar but always worthy of a certain indulgence. The first story, "Revenge, a Little," pokes an omniscient finger at how we might naturally react to an unnatural suspended sun; I am always attracted to the stories that change the rules of our universe in order to explore our conditional nature and response. If Coe's second story, "Today In A Back Alley A Man," were a human being, then I would like to become friends with it [or him]. Coe capsulizes the honest plight of conscious thought into short story form; he does so in an environment when the similarities of people in very different stages of life are exposed.

LASTLY, Micheal Jay Tucker's narrative essay "Ghost. Dog. Virgin." was uniquely noteworthy. For me, nothing compares to the literary intimacy of exploring the memories that never submerge into the subconscious and follow a person around his whole life. Tucker phrases it much better than I have. And he incorporates a bit of wisdom within his creativity as he shares with the reader an example of such an exploration.

The Autoblog (part two: the first update)

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Reader,

Today is [Satur, Dec, 09]. I am fine.
I initiated my daily routines as usual. Then, my [Recycle Bin] didn't function according to plan, and [corrupted data] got everywhere! If my friends, family, possible significant other, possible children, or acquaintances that happen to lodge in my home for the night due to unusual circumstances had seen it, it would have been very embarrassing! Later, on my drive to work, I saw a [>dictonaryEng.exe cannot find dictionaryEng.dat file] on the [!This program has performed a serious error and must terminate immediately!]

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> Thank you for reading BrianstheAwsum1Autoblog 1998.
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> Reader,
>
> Today is [Mon, Jan, 98]. I am fine. I initiated my daily routines as usual. Then, my [jJim s a fruit!] didn't function according to plan, and [jims fatt mom!!1!] got everywhere!
> !file note found!
> Later, on my drive to work, I saw a [Brian, I swear if you don't take this project seriously it'll be forever before we finish. I don't want to live in my parents basement for another decade! Moreover, my Mom, Frank and I don't want you living in our basement for another ten years. I swear if I even know you in 2008 I can't imagine what I'll [>Critical update available! Please download {LZUser1.2} immediately!]] road! Ill have doubles developed so i can mail you the pics!
>
> Thanks for reading!
> [terminating sequence]
>
> Thank you for using JimisReallytheAwesomeOneAutoblog 1998

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Technology, My Enemy [Part 1]

I often battle with technology. There are many times that we experience trails with everyday devices. The dysfunction of our phones, computers and garage door openers prevent us from accomplishing everyday tasks such as making calls, writing papers, and opening other people's garage doors. We complain about everyday struggles, but I think we should pay attention to the long term effects, which I believe to be unique to us all. Here are five ways technology is ruining my life:

1] I am uncertain about how to empty or otherwise operate recycle bins in real life. I have considered switching to wastebaskets, but I don't have much experience with their operating system.

2] I share with the world my innermost reflections about myself by means of an electronic journal known as a 'blog.' It is slowly eating away at my sense of identity as I conform with the masses. I have nightmare visions of the future. And sometimes I have nice dreams. I think that is all diet-related.

3] I missed the 'emoticon' acquisition phase of learning. So when I get a text that says Prty ths wknd <@:P I don't understand why a party this weekend would be less than at-colon-pee. At-colon-pee sounds < a party. I also think it is a real possibility that the less-than sign was a typo, and the party this weekend is At Colon P's, which is cool. Colin Powell must be a fan of my blog.

4] I am no longer right-handed or left-handed; it has been so long since I have hand-written that I am now ambisinistrous, the opposite of ambidextrous. While 'ambisinistrous' is obviously the most accurate word for my condition, it is not a part of most people's vernacular. Instead, they will try to say that I am uncoordinated and bad at basketball. They also make fun of me for using words like 'ambisinistrous' and will proceed to call me geeky and, for some reason, disparaging. Those jerks.

5] The stability of my friendships is at risk. I can't even imagine the consequences of butt-dialing someone on a gassy day.

Still, I have been advised to "keep my friends close and my enemies closer." So I hope you understand why I would rather sit at home on google.com searching for 'small talk' than actually have some with you.

The Refulgent Effulgence of Writer's Block

     Today is one of those days when I don't feel like writing on my blog very much, but then I start rambling like this and end up writing a ton.

Zip. Zero. Zilch. Nothing. Blog. Nada. (2 of 3)

     Babble: ballyhoo: balderdash: baloney: babel: politics.
     A fat suit is a suit an average-sized person wears to appear fat. A fat suit is not a suit for a fat person. If a fat person were to try to put on a fat suit he or she would probably end up having a bad day.
     There is only one difference between men and women.
     Studies show that taking a shower and changing your shirt are equally as effective. I performed the studies. No animals were harmed. Or even used in the studies. What kind of scientist do you take me for?
     Doctors who recommend two glasses of wine every day for a person's health are commonly perceived as good doctors.
       There is an old children's rhyme that goes "Eeny meeny miny moe / catch a tiger by his toe / If he hollers let him go ..." I just want to say that catching a tiger by its toe is ridiculously challenging, I am not just going to let it go because it complains a little bit. My point is that the government probably writes nursery rhymes, ergo we shouldn't trust the government, and that is why I don't like paying taxes.
     Also, in Britain, it is common for the children to say 'chicken' instead of 'tiger.' Wimps.

For Writers' Consideration

     I have been subscribed to "Word of the Day" messaging systems for a few years now, but they have turned out to be less helpful than I had hoped.
     I originally signed up for these services because something I discovered a long time ago: words can beget stories. Last night I read about a hundred different excerpts from Webster's Collegiate Dictionary. Words can have such interesting uses, histories, or exclusive environments, that in trying to attempt to write a sentence with one such word I end up thinking up an entire setting, character, or even a scene.
     Reading the dictionary seems like an odd move, and I probably don't have the patience to do it on a regular basis. But, I am going to search my dictionary for an interesting word and try and write a story for it. Ideally a flash fiction; something I can post here. I challenge the rest of you to do the same.