Foggy Reflections

I remember watching that classic horror film, The Fog, for the first time as a kid and having nightmares for days. Something about that movie really messed with my head. Perhaps is the was helpless Adrienne Barbeau stuck in a radio station, or maybe it was the idea of undead pirates pissed off about their stolen gold. At any rate, a healthy caution as born in me during those long nights. I am always more wary on foggy nights.

I think it's important to point out that this healthy caution is not in anyway the development of Homichlophobia - the fear of fog - but rather an awareness of possible unseen hazards. Though the idea of someone lurking just out of view, obscured by wafts of foggy mist, is particularly hair raising, I don't feel that persistent pressure of "eyes upon me". 

I do find also, in writing fiction, that fog is a very useful tool when the intent is to build suspense. Tonight, as I write this from the Harbormaster's Office, the fog is thick in Hyannis. The visibility is down to 1/4 mile. I am not fearful, but when I drive home I will be mindful of hazards, particularly if those hazards appear to be zombie like sailors of pirate vessels in New England.

The Approaching Season

Cape Cod in the summer time generates visions of packed beaches, friends, and good times. This summer it holds something special for me in addition to all that. I have been invited to be a part of the Cape Cod Writer's Conference this August.

A writing submission was a part of the scholarship application for this summer's conference. I was lucky enough, and I am honored, to be an honorable mention. This means that I get to attend any of the classes that I choose in exchange for ten hours of volunteer work. This is a huge honor for me, and an great opportunity to rub elbows and make contact with some heavy hitters in the literary field. I couldn't be more psyched.

I have been working on several pieces to take along with the pieces that I came up with this past semester. I will keep you all updated as things go along, but for now it's back to work at the harbor.

Old Friends and Facebook

I used to eschew Facebook. I have had a page there for a long while, but I always avoided it like the plague. I can't really explain why, but it's probably because I've never been a super social animal. But since getting into the whole Radio gig, I've been on it more than I'd ever imagined.

Just today I found a friend that I haven't talked to in 20 years. It's not that there was a falling out or anything dramatic ... it's just that we never reconnected after college. It turns out that since leaving the then Colorado Institute of Art (now called the Art Institute of Denver) Bennii has been really tearing it up. He was a great drummer then, but has since recorded with all kinds of artists all over the South Pacific of all places.

I feel like my persistence may have been weak. Though I did try. But then Bennii is an amazing musician. I'm simply not. I do play a little bass, guitar, piano and sax ... but nothing at the level that Bennii Obaña was at then.

I am happy to have reconnected with him. He's living in the Philippines and has a baby on the was with his new wife. Good for you Bennii ... good for you.

I am on Facebook much more often now, but I'm still not a social animal.

Mother's Day - 2011

"Mother is the name of God on the lips of all children." - Erik Draven (The Crow).

This is just a quick note to throw out there into the digital void. Happy mother's day to all mothers, but especially to those mothers with Sons and Daughters in harms way all over the world. May they come home soon, and find a hero's welcome waiting.

Cheers, Matt

Rejection - Finally

I have been told that all writers face rejection on a large scale. I have been expecting it for a while now, and since submitting a short story to a couple of online magazines I've been waiting patiently to receive my first rejection notice. I got that today. Now, I feel like I can say that I am a writer.

Rejection is a part of the human experience. In most cases it's not a pleasant experience, however I have discovered that if the impending rejection is expected it's a little easier to accept.

I had submitted a short story called "Road Rage" to an online literary magazine. I had done my research by reading several issues of the magazine and I  had expected that my submission would would be something they would definitely be interested in. The message I received told me that while they enjoyed my writing and my story it simply wasn't right for them at this time.

The message was most likely a form based response, and I can understand that. Rather than being discouraged, I reflect on the writing of several different authors - some famous, some not - and each and every one of them has received a response worded similar to mine. So, I am not angry, sad, or depressed ... I actually feel like I'm one of the club.

Springtime in Hyannis

The robins and sparrows have long since returned. They join us here in mid to early March. The clamming dredges and lobster boats' long winter is over and the rails are no longer encrusted in sea ice. The water that surrounds Cape Cod is still only warm enough to caress and love the polar bears, but soon ... so soon ... the summer will spring itself upon the beaches and the harbors... and the bikinis and shorts will appear. The trees are budding and the tulips are in bloom. Spring is definitely here ... and more importantly ... I am once again employed.

I work for a harbormaster's office here on Cape Cod and though my patience is often taxed, I love working here. It is just unfortunate that this summer job isn't a job that can sustain a family over the long run; winters are cold and long and lately ... expensive. But for the time being I will gladly take the views I am offered, and the paycheck that comes along with it.

Most of the visitors to my harbor are here for the park, or the fishing. There are few harbors on Cape Cod that provide dockage for large commercial fishing vessels, mine is simply the best.

There are those that read this who will be wondering how I come to call Hyannis Harbor ... my harbor. I have been a resident of Cape Cod since the early 1980's. I have seen this harbor in it's worst states, and I have watched the struggles to clean the waters here. It progress that has been made is incredible ... especially when you consider that this harbor is an enigma. Most have some sort of freshwater in flux. Not so here. The water stays clean in spite of that. And I am proud that I am a part of keeping it this way, and therefore ... while I am on duty ... the harbor is mine. But then, I also believe that the harbor, the beaches, the blue skies and the ocean belong to all of us that appreciate their beauty and are willing to do something to protect it.

Speaking of Writing

It's hard sometimes to "speak" of writing. Or, in other easier to understand words, reading something that you've written to an audience can be a harrowing experience to say the least. Last night I was asked to read a short story that I've written to my Creative Writing class. This is an experience that I almost always dread, and this time was no different.

I usually will hold my head down and stare at the table when volunteers are called. This occasion was no different really,  but I surprised myself by raising my hand and reading my story ... but I was the last volunteer. It's one of my failings. Public speaking is, for me, the most difficult thing.

I can talk on the radio, regardless of market, to unknown numbers of listeners. I can record a Public Service Announcement, or a Commercial that will be played God knows where to God knows who and never bat an eye. But put me in front of a group and I loose it. The palms start the sweat, and for some really weird reason (unknown to me), my feet start to ache.

I know that this is something that most people deal with in one way or another, but I just thought that I put it out there.

Finals Approach

There is one thing that you can definitely count on during your time in school. Final Exams. This is nothing new, it's been around causing anxiety in just about every student there ever was. I am no different. I have found one simple suggestion that seems to work for me.

Don't "over study". There are those of us that always think that we haven't studied hard enough to get the grade we're after. The temptation to cram the night before the exam is actually detrimental to your performance. From what I've been told, it takes time for your brain to physically make the connections between neurons that store memory. Cramming the night before a big exam could actually stir up those neurons that were already set causing you to loose some memory.

It's a drag for the partying college student, but yes there is truth in what your parents told you about studying every day. Taking the time to go over what you learned in class at the end of the day is the best way to remember what you need to know. And, contrary to popular belief it actually takes less time overall. Take time to do you homework, writing things down solidifies memory much more efficiently, and review your class work for 20 minutes per subject and you should be set for the final exam.

This has worked for me, and according to my wife, I am a professional student; though the jury is out on that one.