FaeSinger In reply to Carmalain7 [2015-03-13 05:09:03 +0000 UTC]

I enjoy your work. It's of different stuff than I get the chance to read much of the time, and I study literature in 3 languages. It's a nice mental gear-shift to read something in English for a change My favorite bit was near the end:

"I keep silence in a dented aerosol can
    lording her dusty shelf throne
        with the knowledge that, 
I will be raised from the dead
-     as I do not do as they do    -
and yet, she will still transcend me.

     A queen ruling over the next world
            in our walking sleep,
paved in a basin of exclamation water
        with a deep breath:

    the white knuckled surprise
         we'll forever be holding unto,"

And yes, I'm incredibly busy - but the time spent was well worth it, and I'm the better for it. I'm always glad to read what you post on here.

-Em

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Carmalain7 In reply to FaeSinger [2015-03-13 15:25:19 +0000 UTC]

Perhaps the difference lies a bit in the fact that it is in English, but man is it just an honor to have you say so, good miss.

I like that section as well, I think I did a good job capturing the narrator in those stanzas - much better than I did in much of the rest of the piece. Definitely something I need to work on.

Honored, fair miss, just the most honored.

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FaeSinger In reply to Carmalain7 [2015-03-13 19:58:57 +0000 UTC]

Psh, don't depreciate your work. It's good stuff - no matter what language you're used to reading (and I read a lot of the 'masters' in French, Spanish, & English, so I feel somewhat qualified to pose an opinion). 

I really like the imagery you invoked, and yes, the narrative voice is strong and clear. 

I'm flattered you're honored, but having someone like me read your work sure isn't an 'honor.'

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Carmalain7 In reply to FaeSinger [2015-03-13 20:34:54 +0000 UTC]

I'm delighted you're flattered, and having someone like you - who reads the masters of three different languages - read my work is most certainly an honor, good miss, I can assure you.

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FaeSinger In reply to Carmalain7 [2015-03-25 01:55:40 +0000 UTC]

You're very sweet.

And exciting news - I got the job in Charlotte!

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Carmalain7 In reply to FaeSinger [2015-03-25 21:14:33 +0000 UTC]

More very honest, but I appreciate the compliment.

And that's awesome! Having a job to transition to is a delightful peace and, in many ways, makes things so much easier. I'm excited for you! I miss Charlotte lots, and I'm sure you'll enjoy the change in weather and scenery.

Not that I don't love D.C., but sometimes I wish I wasn't paying 3x more rent for half as much space...

But yeah, if you have any questions you want to ask, I'm definitely more than happy to help in any way possible. And let me know when you get down there, and I'll let you know when I'm swinging through sometime, yeah?

Good luck with everything!!

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FaeSinger In reply to Carmalain7 [2015-04-04 02:33:56 +0000 UTC]

I am very excited, for sure. It's all happening very quickly and can seem a little overwhelming, but I'm sure it'll all work itself out. 

I would love any advice or pro-tips you have about settling in to Charlotte, or even just recommendations for cool things to check out I'll be moving there sometime between June & August. 

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Carmalain7 In reply to FaeSinger [2015-04-06 16:01:33 +0000 UTC]

Charlotte's a big hub for foodies, has an active nightlife (clubs & bars), and a terrible public transit system.

It's a young city, so it's easy to meet people once you start getting out, but most people are very much locals who grew up in and around Charlotte. Thus, Charlotte sports teams are big (Panthers & Hornets), but there are also a lot of people who love hiking, rock climbing, rafting, etc. to be found because of how close it is to App mountains and some beautiful places.

I think the best thing to keep in mind is that, while it's definitely on the small side for a city, it is still a city, and you should always be aware of your surroundings and be safe (like in any city) & it's always good to be with people if you are out late at night.

A lot of great music stops by in Charlotte, as it's a logical step on the way to/from Atlanta & the Triangle (Duke, Chapel Hill, & Carborro), so you can always find good shows no matter what type of music you like.

I was (and still am) a big fan of the burgeoning Ultimate Frisbee scene in Charlotte, as well as the Asian American foods, shopping centers, and various cultures that call (especially the suburbs) their home.

I'm just sort of listing things off the top of my head, but if you have any specific questions, or interests that I might know of (or know friends who do) that you want to look into before heading South for the Summer! just let me know.

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FaeSinger In reply to Carmalain7 [2015-04-06 18:13:16 +0000 UTC]

Well, I love food (despite some pesky allergies to grapple with), nightlife stuff can be quite fun, and public transit is, well, public transit. 

I lived in Santiago, the capital of Chile, for a few months last year, so I think I will be able to learn to navigate the public transit as needed. It's also probably a bit more dangerous in Santiago than it generally will be in Charlotte, due to the fact that I, as a blonde-obviously-foreign-woman stuck out like a sore thumb in Chile. I learned to be very vigilant, as Chileans are the master pickpockets of the world, and South Americans have a much different attitude towards women as do typical American men. It's just a cultural difference. But duly noted  

I'm glad to know it should be easy to meet people in Charlotte; I'll know really almost no-one besides my employers, who I only know from the interview process. 

Everything you've said sounds wonderful; I really enjoy the outdoorsy stuff, music, and the whole artsy scene. Not as much a natural sports die-hard, but I could definitely get into it as part of integrating into Charlotte culture. I've just never been in a place with a good sports team. 

I am so grateful for how helpful you've been! 

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Carmalain7 In reply to FaeSinger [2015-04-08 15:58:30 +0000 UTC]

I meant more that Public Transit is terrible in that it is constantly plagued by delays, doesn't really go to all the places you need to go. If you're in the city, you're ok, but anything outside the limits because iffy at best as far as consistency & reliability go.

I'm not sure American men are much better, honestly... but I totally get what you mean, and I think that having that vigilant & aware approach to situations is a great skill to have. Charlotte is definitely one of the safer cities I've ever spent significant time in, but it's still a city, but I can tell you are much smarter than I am, so you should have no issues.

Yeah, Charlotte's mostly a banking city, as far as the economy goes, but that means that there are always young people coming in (because of how that industry is built). Just find some local community centers (Meet Ups!) and you'll have literally no problems.

Also, being close to Boone (Appalachian Mountains), Tennessee (white water rivers), and super far from the SC & NC coasts, the outdoorsy fun that accessible for a city truly is a treat.

I'm honestly honored to have, hopefully, been able to ease the transition somewhat. Definitely here if you have any more specific questions, or whatever. It's an honor.

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FaeSinger In reply to Carmalain7 [2015-09-29 00:24:48 +0000 UTC]

Alan,

Wow! Time really flies. I can't believe it's been so long since I've checked this. Thank you for being so helpful and full of advice/knowledge. Lord knows we can all use that from others. How have things been with you? 

-Em

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Carmalain7 In reply to FaeSinger [2015-10-05 19:59:00 +0000 UTC]

It's a crazy time to be working in the industry I do in D.C., so things have been quite hectic in the working world while I make a concerted effort to achieve the opposite in my non-working life.

But, more importantly, how are things with you?! Did the Charlotte thing work out? Feel any closer to achieving some sense of that illusive sense of purpose us fresh out of college millennials seem to have such a difficult time spying? How are things?

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FaeSinger In reply to Carmalain7 [2015-11-19 05:14:50 +0000 UTC]

Things with me have been very hectic as well - expectation doesn't always meet reality, and teaching anywhere is a difficult job, but at my school some of that inherent difficulty has been compounded with other complications (severe discipline issues, little to no motivation, etc.).

So, the job is very difficult would be the short of it, and it is always a transition to move to a new city where you don't know anyone.

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Carmalain7 In reply to FaeSinger [2015-11-20 22:13:56 +0000 UTC]

I definitely felt that with my DC moves, so at some level I completely understand.

That said, there's A permeating sense of impermanence that comes with working in such a volatile place and Industry, so on that and I could never fully understand v difficulties of coming to terms with my current job being my true profession.

When I work as a summer camp counselor, I worked primarily with inner city kids from Atlanta, where I grew up. Lots of poverty and neglect, & I felt that was definitely reflected in many of the kids I worked with as far as respect for themselves and others. What I had going for me, however, is that, no matter how unfair it may be, being a male - especially a 6'3" athletic one - definitely helped on my end.

All that said, I only wish to wish you the best of luck. I know from going through d intercity Georgia public education system, how impactful a truly smart and good-hearted teacher can be, as well as how rare they can be, & I 100% know that you embody the foundation of those few from my youth.

So, truly, naught but the best of luck.

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FaeSinger In reply to Carmalain7 [2017-05-08 13:19:22 +0000 UTC]

Holy cats. I haven't logged in here in a year and a half.

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Carmalain7 In reply to FaeSinger [2017-05-12 03:11:45 +0000 UTC]

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FaeSinger In reply to Carmalain7 [2017-05-12 04:04:56 +0000 UTC]

How've you been?

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Carmalain7 In reply to FaeSinger [2017-05-13 16:10:13 +0000 UTC]

busy as always - just moved to Richmond, VA, so restarting to get my bearings but excited about finding a new home. Already got a membership to the High Art Museum (thank you unexpired student ID) and have started to make my hajj to all the local hole in the wall concert venues, so the usual for me.

How about yourself, good miss? Still making your home in the South and dealing with that Charlotte commute?

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FaeSinger In reply to Carmalain7 [2017-05-13 16:15:27 +0000 UTC]

Yes, still in Charlotte! Moving to Concord currently, made a career change, and still dealing with the Charlotte traffic to some extent! I need to plug in and get those kinds of artsy connections more than I have in the last while.

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Carmalain7 In reply to FaeSinger [2017-05-13 16:55:00 +0000 UTC]

spent most of my time on the occasions i've been in Charlotte in Myer's Park, so not too familiar with Concord aside from knowing it's outside the perimeter.

Hope the new job is treating you well! hopefully a bit less stress involved & a bit more consistency.

it's always a bit of a strange start, first few months somewhere new trying to integrate always make you feel like a drifter when you seek those alternate communities, but everyone's always so awesome when you find those groups that it's always worth the 'shit, i have to go out and try to meet people' early days, haha.

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FaeSinger In reply to Carmalain7 [2017-05-13 18:24:01 +0000 UTC]

Myers park is nice! The new job is stressful, but in a different way - I work as a Spanish medical interpreter in an ER. But it's different in a lot of good ways from teaching.

I still feel somewhat like a drifter, even after being here almost two full years. But yes, it is hard connecting, but very worth it.

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FaeSinger In reply to Tyrison [2012-11-12 08:18:12 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome!

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FaeSinger In reply to justicedefender [2012-07-01 06:05:41 +0000 UTC]

I've been really really busy!!

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justicedefender In reply to FaeSinger [2012-07-04 02:41:42 +0000 UTC]

ME TOO! WE NEED TO HANG OUT SOMETIME!

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FaeSinger In reply to magicSPARKS [2012-04-22 05:02:59 +0000 UTC]

Awh! You're welcome! I really love your work

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FaeSinger In reply to okoloko11 [2012-04-22 05:03:05 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome!

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FaeSinger In reply to magicSPARKS [2012-03-12 02:20:35 +0000 UTC]

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FaeSinger In reply to magicSPARKS [2012-02-20 18:34:23 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome!

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FaeSinger In reply to magicSPARKS [2012-02-06 06:37:45 +0000 UTC]

You're quite welcome!

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FaeSinger In reply to magicSPARKS [2012-01-11 20:45:36 +0000 UTC]

No problem!

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FaeSinger In reply to Carmalain7 [2011-12-28 07:32:42 +0000 UTC]

You're very welcome It's definitely enjoyable by others.

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FaeSinger In reply to Carmalain7 [2011-11-27 07:23:51 +0000 UTC]

You're quite welcome. It was definitely tinged with disenchantment; but that's not a bad thing. I appreciated the fact that it's more realistic, and a little bitter. Who are we to hope to find much these days? After all, there are so many unhappy people who don't. I'm glad my favorite encouraged you. We all need that Keep writing!

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Carmalain7 In reply to FaeSinger [2011-11-28 06:44:11 +0000 UTC]

Who are we? Why, we are individuals who should never let the words of another dissuade us from our goals be they to learn how to use chopsticks (still working on it), to find love (still working on it), or to acquire an absolutely and delightfully talented watcher (check) so i guess all i'm really saying is don't give up hope; it's a really, really beautiful thing and it will make your cheeks rosy and the sky always beautiful no matter what time of year.

Good miss, you are awesome. Thank you so much for the watch; i shall endeavor to not disappoint.

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FaeSinger In reply to Carmalain7 [2011-11-29 03:22:15 +0000 UTC]

I agree, we are those individuals. Chopsticks? I was taught by a man in Chicago's Chinatown district when I was 12. Or you could badger someone at a Chinese restaurant, make a spectacle, & harangue them until they show you how Love? My state is the same as yours. Delightful, talented, intriguing watcher? Apparently I've gotten that now as well

"Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune--without the words,
And never stops at all" ~ Emily Dickinson

Besides hope, the northern Midwest weather will do the same & cause those rosy cheeks!

Thanks for the watch, & I find it doubtful that you shall disappoint.

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