Like an iceberg
adrift on the deep
a ruin floats on grains
of dirt tossed about
by mercurial, fickle
winds in this arid land--
an abandoned keep
surrendered to the sky
in a sandy fall.

Dusty soldiers are lined
up on the stony front
as the sky fights
with its forces pinned
against a broken redoubt.

A squawk comes over the cable
inspiring a ruthless hunt
as the general turns his eye
to the maps on his table
in search of further clues.

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Organized By: Deccan herald

Key Dates:
Deadline for submission of Stories: October 31, 2008

Sunday Herald Short Story competition has been announced. This is a great opportunity for one to upgrade from just a writer to an author. The Sunday Herald Short Story competition could well be your first step to the Booker summit. Entry is free. The story should come attached with the entry form duly filled not later than October 31, 2008.

Word limit: 3000 words.

Mail the entries [Marked 'Sunday Herald Short Story Competition'] to:
Deccan Herald, Sunday Herald
No. 75, M G Road,
Bangalore: 560 001

All the Conditions for the Submission of the entry have been clearly mentioned on their website. Same can be found here. Go through the conditions before sending in your submissions.

For more details visit here.

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Wine sloshes into place
before the glasses have arisen
in their toasting,
flashing with dull sparks
in the flickering light.

The crickets are singing
in the tittering night
and the stars do shake
with laughter.

Lights are winking
in the hereafter.

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Organized By: Dream Quest One

Key Dates:
Deadline For Entries: December 31, 2008
Results Announcement: January 31, 2009

Dream One Quest Poetry And Writing Contest is open to all. The basic aim of this competition is to inspire those who want to continue poetry and writing and lack the support. In order to lift up the spirits there are cash awards

Writing Contest:
First Prize is $500
Second Prize: $250
Third Prize: $100

Poetry Contest:
First Prize is $250
Second Prize: $125
Third Prize: $50.

Entry fees:
Writing Contest entry fee: $10 per short story.
Poetry Contest entry fee: $5 per poem.

The Poem must be thirty lines or fewer, whereas for the write up the maximum limit is five pages.All entries must be neatly handwritten or typed out.

Multiple entries are permitted , so your inspiration is not limited.

Send your entries to:
Dream Quest One
Poetry & Writing Contest
P.O. Box 3141
Chicago, IL 60654

Include title(s) with your story (ies) or poem(s), along with your name, address, phone#, email, brief biographical info. Write a little about yourself on the coversheet. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope for entry confirmation.

For further details visit the website or click here.

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With a spark
the storm's rapid fuse
is ablaze.
The daylight explodes
with a crash,
metal contorting
through the sky.

In the haze
twisted wreckage looms
and settles
in a slow collapse.

The storm seems
to give up,
loosen its tight grasp
on the rain
and the light.
The sound of its drums
has run thin.

A white flag
ripples in the sky
and is gone
leaving just the wind
blowing through
the clear blue
with its quiet song.

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Also, that poem I was trying to think of, about the prostitute, is called "Porphyria's Lover."

Click for a copy of "The Raven."  Click here for a Simpsons version of "The Raven."

Room 41

Thurs 1pm-2pm

Before anything else, I’d like to note that I didn’t bother review this subject because it’s the same exam date with Computer programming which is like my most hated subject and the most difficult one for me. Besides I’m natural in the world of English and literature *blush*

I was right for not giving importance to this hehe. I was actually amazed by Ma’am Nuncio’s checking skills. She got all the test papers around 2pm then gave our scores around 4pm, hehe nice one. What’s my score? 99 out of 100 ^_^ seryoso.

Computer Programming final examination

Room 201

Thurs 2pm-4pm

I managed to finish Philippine literature test 20mins earlier so I had those precious 20mins to review my notes…but the environment was so edgy and panicky that I was contaminated. Therefore I ended up consuming those precious minutes staring at nothingness.

60% multiple choice (determination of the output ampness…very time-consuming)

25% program segments

15% completing a program

……

Oh spirit of the impossible, please be my knight in shining armor.

!@#$%^&*()_+ dammit

Understand me, it was fabulously written, insanely deep, and very interesting. There is simply something about the entire story that I can't seem to describe... except perhaps as a distaste. It has a very bitter, salty, metallic, dirty (as in actual dirt), concrete kind of taste. What I find even stranger is that many of my friends (yes you), love this book! Why? Don't get me wrong, I don't hate it, but that's probably only because it's a classic, something that I should like and should give attention to. The Scarlet Letter is like a rock, no a brick: harsh, heavy, red, rectangular, requires mortar to be of any use, makes a good doorstop, and has a depth all it's own. Ok, so maybe it's nothing like a brick or vice versa, but whatever. Or is it? It is heavy and the color red is very prominent, rectangular if you're speaking literally (maybe you can make it work with the text in some philosophical way), it requires a good prof/spark's notes to get you through it (this could be the mortar... so that it sticks, at least enough to write a good paper), it has depth for sure (bricks do too, mathematically... I think, I was never good at math), but as for the doorstop... it's simply too small to hold a door open. Now that I've officially carried that analogy too far....

I chose to write my paper on Pearl, the illegitimate child of adulteress Hester Prynne, because she is the only character who provides a breath of fresh air. Seriously though, going over the book again, it's like swimming in muddy peanut butter or trying to perform brain surgery when you're not a brain surgeon... or even a doctor. Now I may be over exaggerating a tad, but I think I'm allowed to... simply expressing my current state of mind.

Back to Pearl. She's cute. I'm one of two in my class who don't hate her. She's lovely, honest, adorable, creative, bright, and observant. Probably a genius in the making. She is the only person who doesn't fall into the incredible affinity for melodrama (at least not too much). If you've read the book you know what I'm talking about. Basically a soap opera.

Ok, I'm done with my rant... I think I'll finish my Star Trek 'psode (shh, don't tell anyone), grab some ice cream, and fade away to some Henry Mancini.

*Disclaimer: I actually like red and melodrama, just not at this moment :)

Behind its mask
a ghost pursues
the night
as the winds
pass through
the dark.

Torn from their husk
the stars fly free,
hurtling through space.

The ghost caresses its new face
and, though by night winds unmoved,
the garb
it wears is unwinding
like the fading of the mist
in the risen sun.

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• Pick two of your favorite songs (you decide just how many expletives you think I can handle).  (1) Apply any of the poetic devices we’ve discussed (or will discuss) to the lyrics.  (2) Explain how the “poet’s” use of poetic devices works with the theme of the song.
• Your analysis should be at least 500 words and in MLA format.
• Due on Oct. 24 @ midnight via turnitin.com.
• This assignment will replace two absences in class (if you've submitted a decent short essay - poor work will not be rewarded).

Here's an example...

Though labeled as one of the darkest, most anti-establishment bands, Tool is not afraid to toy with their audience’s assumptions about the band.  Maynard Keenan’s usage of meter in “Rosetta Stoned” underscores the play between the faith needed to believe in creation myths – whether Christian or “scientific.”  For example, the first few lines of the song contain a monk-like meter:

“10 to 2 AM, X, Yogi DMT, and a box of Krispy Kremes,
in my ‘need to know’ pose, just outside of Area 51
Contemplating the whole ‘chosen people’ thingy
when a flaming stealth banana split the sky
like one would hope but never really expect
to see in a place like this.
Cutting right angle donuts on a dime
and stopping right at my Birkenstocks”

In this quotation, Keenan describes “first contact.”  A man is standing outside Area 51, thinking about the chosen people, when he encounters UFO.  These images are all from the scientific or fantastic realm.  However, what’s interesting here is the meter of the lyrics.  When sung or read, the meter sounds almost like a Gregorian chant.  A careful listener will discover that it is no accident that Keenan has chosen to describe icons of science in holy meter.

A spring lunges,
dark earth bursting apart
as it swells.

The needless
blossom is cracked.

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About We Flap:
We Flap is an online social non-profit business aimed at creating a vibrant community that enables individuals to engage with and assist various Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) across the world. We Flap provides NGOs with the tools, capacity and the platform to showcase their work, engage with the global community and request support.

In its first phase, We Flap will focus on working with NGOs in India. We Flap leverages the fundamental belief that people want to help, and if we can get together and all help in some small way, then we can collectively affect great philanthropic change. We Flap's goal is to be the largest and most trusted online philanthropic community to learn about, interact with and help NGOs across the world.

About the Opportunity:
We Flap is looking for part and full time writers to profile NGOs in India. The writers will interview NGO leaders and staff and profile the history of the organization, the successes and challenges that they have encountered, the impact on beneficiaries and the specific support that they require. This information will be posted on We Flap's website and will soon be read by millions of NGOs, philanthropists and other people interested in the Indian development sector.

In addition to profiling NGOs, writers will have the opportunity to network and interact with social entrepreneurs, philanthropists, global foundations, journalists and policy makers.

We Flap is a start-up and writers will have the ability to constantly experiment with innovative ideas to create written, audio and video material that is interesting, engaging and captures the ethos of the organization and persons that are profiled.

Requirements:

• Demonstrated commitment and passion towards the Indian development sector
• Interest in and an aptitude for writing
• Desire to be part of a fun, fast growing start-up and the ability to shape its course

Compensation:
This is a paid position. Your compensation will depend on the number of profiles that you can create.

Application:
Please email your resume and a writing sample to nikhila@weflap.org

Organized By: Knowledge@Wharton High School (KWHS)

Key Dates:
Deadline for Submitting the Essays: December 1, 2008

For Whom:
Open to all high School students, grades 9-12

About KWHS
Knowledge@Wharton High School (KWHS) is an interactive site for high school students interested in finding out more about the world of business. At KWHS, one can find features about the companies you know and the people who run them, games to improve your financial skills and test your commitment to a greener marketplace, tools to explain how business works, and podcasts and videos that spotlight the world’s most creative and colorful people.

KWHS Essay Contest:
Enter the Knowledge@Wharton High School Essay Contest and win prizes ranging from airline tickets to desktops and printers. The contest – designed to help celebrate the website’s official launch in February 2009 – offers you a chance to mix creativity, analysis and interesting ideas about business. Prizes will be awarded in two categories – one for freshmen and sophomores and the other for juniors and seniors. Essays in both categories should be no longer than 1,000 words.

The topics for the essay contest are:

1. If You Could Start Your Own Company, What Would It Be?
2. Making Money and Improving the World

For more details on the topics and the rules visit here.

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Click "read more" to get started.

Faulkener @ UVA

Interview with John Updike in 1995

Special about Raymond Carver

T. C. Boyle reading some of his short fiction (R-rated, btw)

Darth Vader reads "The Things They Carried"

Post en cours de rédaction

A dervish's trail
unfurls
in sandy lines
and candles wink
at the sight.

A puff
of dust whirls
through the temple
of the night
and settles
in blinking signs
and eyefuls of sleep.

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Este clar inca din start ca autorul s-a concentrat, in special, asupra dialogurilor si a actiunii, urmarind antrenarea cititorului intr-un vartej de intamplari si situatii neobisnuite omului de rand cu scopul evident de a starni zambete prin orice mijloc, cuprinzand aici, discutiile dintre personaje, descrierile, situatiile prezentate. Din acest motiv atat personajele umane cat si zînele sunt schitate sumar iar intriga, uneori, are de suferit sub directa influenta a inconsistentei si a lipsei unor evenimente cu adevarat notabile.

Pe scurt, actiunea se concentreaza in jurul stradaniilor a doua zîne scotiene prietene, ce apartin unor clanuri diferite ale caror tachinari si neintelegeri le-au bagat in bucluc, silindu-le sa-si paraseasca meleagurile natale si sa se refugieze in imensitatea orasului New York. Intr-un alt plan, un alt grup de cinci zîne a fugit, de asemenea de pe plaiurile scotiene, insa din cu totul alte motive decat cele de mai sus, printre ele aflandu-se si doi reprezentanti de seama ai casei regale, baiatul si fata imparatului, fugiti ca urmare a instaurarii unui regim totalitar in regat. Savoarea cartii sta in dialogurile si intepaturile dintre cele doua zîne ce ajung deseori la cutite, si, daca mai mentionam ca acestea obisnuiesc sa traga foarte des la masea cu consecinte evident nefaste pentru ele ne dam seama ca scriitorul a sperat sa-si atraga cititorii tocmai prin imbinarea acestor elemente.

In cazul meu, schimbarile foarte dese de ritm si situatii, in mare masura repetitive, ce apar in decursul actiunii m-au solicitat in plus, iar abundenta personajelor, cel putin in partea de inceput a cartii nu m-a ajutat deloc, fiind destul de suparatoare, si, impreuna cu unele neconcordante la nivelul dialogurilor in care parca scriitorul uita ce a zis mai sus intregesc tabloul nemultumirilor personale. In ceea ce priveste conditiile grafice in care s-a publicat romanul, acestea s-au mai imbunatatit fata de anii anteriori, poate depinde si de colectie, optandu-se spre o modalitate de asezare in pagina mai aerisita.
In final, as accentua ca din cate am observat pe internet, in exterior dar si in blogosfera romaneasca, cartea a fost destul de bine apreciata de catre cititorii, insa pentru mine, nu a fost o experinta deosebita si as incadra-o in seria lecturilor usurele cu un sfarsit previzibil, ce se pot parcurge la orice ora din zi sau noapte de catre cititorii fara pretentii prea mari.

Light laughter
like glasses arose
as teeth clinked.

In the sunlight
eyes rapidly blinked,
devouring the glare.

The weird play
of dancing trash
stumbled down the road
in a gust of air.

A face shattered,
wide open,
with a crack
and any bonds or vows
were neatly broken.

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