... I hope I'll be as gracious.

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I need to remember to breathe while doing this journal update with the most wonderful (but probably not surprising) news! Bernie aka `foureyes, a remarkable photographer I've watched for years, is Grand Prize Winner in the National Geographic & Energizer Ultimate Photo Contest! I can't express how happy I am for him, what a talented & respected guy he is in his craft. I'm almost as excited over the fact that one of two photos of his that won first prize in their categories, is the photograph that I wrote & dedicated a poem to: "When..." [link] which Bernie liked enough to fave!
And my thanks to Andy who featured "When..." in his latest journal [link]
UPDATE: 10/24/09: Squeezing in this bit of trivia news -- today I've been a deviant for 6 years, and also marks this day as the start of my 7th!
My first occasion as a sponsor and a co-judge - this time for a competition with sweeping scope of theme, and plenty of time for you to prepare a submission, or even two. It's Whitney's "All About Life Contest" [link] which runs clear till January 1st, 2010. If that sparks your interest, here's the basis of this contest's theme:

Are you optimistic or pessimistic or a little bit of both? Do you like to write poetry, prose, Flash Fiction, or all of the above? If you answered yes to any of these questions this contest is for you.

If you aren't able to join in, please help pimp this event by hearting the news article here [link] - thanks so much, and hope to see you!
UPDATE: My poem "Equinox" [link] is entered in Jay's "All Hallow's Tales Literature Contest" along with many other entries written in the spirit of the season - and is now closed as of October 24th, having taken in 58 entries - holy socks!
UPDATE: My haibun "Firebrands" [link] is entered in the club's "The Night Sky Contest" along with other lovely examples of the night sky theme in short poetry forms such as haiku, tanka, and haibun - and is now closed as of October 16th.
I recently won my very first writing competition with a little 'ku I wrote for Cat's lovely photo in her "Zen Garden Haiku Contest" - the piece can be seen here: [link]
& UPDATE: I am one of the judges for the "Confessions Contest", hosted by the dynamic duo of Joseph & Alice, which closed October 2nd with 24 entries - results of the winners to be announced, judges to have their votes in to Joseph no later than the 25th.
I'm entered in the "Down with Cliches Contest" with my poem "Jugular" [link] - as part of an amazing array of other entries - and runs till November 15th.
...and....
I'm also entered in Kate's 13th poetry competition "the weather" with my poem "Mangos" [link] which is now closed, with the winners being announced soon.

A DD for my poem "Scourge" [link] - a wonderful surprise, and a timely gift just as I was pulled out of a medical nose dive. My undying thank you to the dedicated ^LadyLincoln for the feature, and to little sis moonRae *rottenpeeches for the suggestion.

Another honor from =DailyLitDeviations, this time for my poem "Goddess" [link]

August 9th, 2009:The third issue of The Clearfield Review is out and features my "Quicksilver" [link] also -

The summer issue of Riverbed Haiku is out and has featured one of my haiku [link]
July 20, 2009: I better start keeping smelling salts near for all the surprises that have me close to fainting lately! A DLD given to my poem, "crossroads" [link] , and a DLD given to the collab I did with *Mahi-Fish, "Memories of a Fish" [link]
July 17, 2009: This month keeps coming up with more surprises for me! [link] DistinctLit's first issue is out on lulu.com - and I'm one of 25 writers chosen with my poem "Madonna" [link] among the collection.
UPDATE: I'll be reappearing in the second issue!
July 12, 2009: Even though many of you already know, I thought I'd update with the news that my collection for the 2009 Summer Haikuthon has been given a Daily Deviation! I never dreamed a month-long set of mine would ever garner such an honor - and featured by none other than Will himself. I'm also thrilled to have this happen during such an event.
For the 2009 Summer Haikuthon, another beautiful stamp was designed by `RetroZombie with a wee bit of help from a friend. *coffs*
Click the stamp to view my set.
During the month of June, there was a wonderful contest wherein haijin were asked to send submissions showing photos of their working notebooks & journals [link]
To give you an idea, here was one of my entries (which garnered an honorable mention) ...

"Tea House Haiku Journal"

& I am one of the judges for the "Confessions" contest being hosted by the dynamic duo of Joseph & Alice, from August 28th until October 2, 2009 11:59:59 pm GMT. There's still time, so if you want to enter, check *msklystron's main page journal. She composed the thorough and detailed information regarding this intriguing competition. Even judges may enter, so I'm still thinking about it. You don't need to write about an actual real-life confession - you make up a character and make a fictitious confession. Let's see where this takes you!

I'm also entered in the "Down with Cliches Contest" with my poem "Jugular" [link]

...and....

I'm also entered in the 13th poetry competition "the weather" with my poem "Mangos" [link]

even moreWhitney does daily picks & features of various writers, and today she added me as one of them with 15 of my pieces featured!

September 21, 2009:For those who watch and/or know of John aka `RetroZombie, and those who have enjoyed his wonderful art through stamps & avatars (plus he's also known for his featured prose & poetry), he has asked me to update you how he's doing and why it seems he's gone quiet these past days and even weeks. He's been working on trying to "rebuild" his computer by downloading everything new again and it's been taking longer than he had anticipated. Then, he got ill with a bad cold a few days ago which has kept him home from work. If you wish to send John your good-wishes, please leave them on his page - he'll enjoy it immensely, and can read them on Skyfire from his phone. Give him some extra love.
Update:
From Stones to Honors to - Nominee
UPDATE: Voting is now ongoing. Since the last posting of my journal, there are many more luminaries from the lit community that have been added as the possible choice for Best Poet. I don't expect anything for myself, it's just nice to know there are those who have nominated me as a candidate.
Update:
I just got word - I've been nominated in the category of Literature: Best Poet [link] ...that's a first for me! I feel funny pimping this but, if you'd like to show support for yours truly, click on the link and find out how you submit a vote, and see this latest batch of categories. As for who chose me as a nominee, if you're reading this, thanks so much for the consideration!

September 8, 2009: I dropped off the radar for over a week while I was in and out of hospital, passing kidney stones. The latest, #9 (and hopefully the last for a long time) wouldn't come out on its own, and my one existing kidney's function was fading. My urologist cut through red tape and got me into surgery to get things back on track. The function rate is coming back to where it should be, and my body's aches are fading as I catch up on my rest (with no pain - I had forgotten what that was like) and gradually start getting nourishment. Meantime...

A DD for my poem "Scourge" [link] - a wonderful surprise, and a timely gift just as I was pulled out of a medical nose dive. My undying thank you to the dedicated ^LadyLincoln for the feature, and to little sis moonRae *rottenpeeches for the suggestion.

Additionally, another honor from *DailyLitDeviations, this time for my poem "Goddess" [link]

August 9th, 2009:The third issue of The Clearfield Review is out and features my "Quicksilver" [link] also -

The summer issue of Riverbed Haiku is out and has featured one of my haiku [link]

July 29, 2009: The afternoon of the 22nd, I tripped and fell off a step, severely wrenching my ankle and getting generally banged up. I had my first trip in a paramedic van and was patched up at the hospital. The diagnosis? A possible bone chip (they don't know if it's from the current mishap, or when I fell out of a tree when I was 8 yrs old *chuckles*).

Many thanks to John `RetroZombie & Scott *Mahi-Fish for helping let people know what happened - I love you both so much!

July 20, 2009: I better start keeping smelling salts near for all the surprises that have me close to fainting lately! A DLD given to my poem, "crossroads" [link] , and a DLD given to the collab I did with *Mahi-Fish, "Memories of a Fish" [link]
July 17, 2009: This month keeps coming up with more surprises for me! [link] DistinctLit's first issue is out on lulu.com - and I'm one of 25 writers chosen with my poem "Madonna" [link] among the collection.
July 12, 2009: Even though many of you already know, I thought I'd update with the news that my collection for the Haikuthon has been given a Daily Deviation! I never dreamed a month-long set of mine would ever garner such an honor - and featured by none other than Will himself. He knows my feelings - I can't access his page so I sent him a note of thanks. I'm also thrilled to have this happen during such an event.

The Haikuthon, when it first kicked off in March, 2008 was considered by many as an upstart and not worthy of attention. What a difference now - with over 60 participants, and many wonderful sets to visit and enjoy. And now this! I'm honored to have my collection chosen - as if to offer it as vindication for this month-long challenge. To take seriously as an annual event that the lit community and others will look forward to!
July 1-31, 2009: It's here, and it's underway! Dozens of haijin are writing and posting haiku, senryu, and tanka for every day in the month of July. This is the 2nd annual Haikuthon (the first was March, 2008) and once again is being hosted by `Iscariot-Priest check this [link]
For the Haikuthon, another beautiful stamp was designed by `RetroZombie with a wee bit of help from a friend. *coffs*
Click the stamp to view my set.

some being born
and some dying-
among the roses

A proud advocate
During the month of June, there was a wonderful contest wherein haijin were asked to send submissions showing photos of their working notebooks & journals [link]

To give you an idea of one example, here was one of my entries ...

"Tea House Haiku Journal"

is a member of

Haikuthon! July 1st - more later - see you there!

There's been an on-going contest that involves a lovely concept. Anyone who has handwritten haiku in working journals/notepads and such, take a capture of some of it and submit it to Peng. You're allowed up to three submissions (to be judged as separate entrees by the learned panel), and you'll receive a special gift for your efforts. Winners and possible runner-ups will be the recipients of some wonderful prizes! The contest runs till singapore standard time 00:00 july 1st, 2009. (UTC +8:00) so you have enough time not to wait till the last minute. Click here [link] and read up on Peng's contest details.

To give you an idea of one example, here's my entry ...

"Tea House Haiku Journal"

I've been friends with Melvin (a photographer from Pittsburgh) for years, and it was our intention to complete a collaboration of his photography & my poetry in a fetish book back in 2006. There were several things that came up that caused the project to be shelved indefinately. Now we've reconnected, and the interest has sparked anew! Once I get my stuff reorganized and make my choices of his work with mine, he'll start the ball rolling and we'll have a book at last. More about this as things develop - I'll keep you all posted!

Feature of the Moment:
Antonio Machado (b. Spain 1875 – d. 1939)

“The Eyes”
I.
When his beloved died
he thought he’d just grow old,
shutting himself in the house
alone, with memories and the mirror
that she had looked in one bright day.
Like gold in the miser’s chest,
he thought he’d keep all yesterday
in the clear mirror intact.
For him time’s flow would cease.
II.
But after a year had passed,
he began to wonder about her eyes:
“Were they brown or black? Or green?. . . Or grey?
What were they like? Good God! I can’t recall. . .”
III.
One day in spring he left the house
And took his double mourning down the street
in silence, his heart tight shut. . .
In the dim hollow of a window
he caught a flash of eyes. He lowered his
and walked right on . . . Like those!

Joseph hosted a contest on acrostic haiku (May 3rd through June 5th) which resulted in an awesome turnout! This could become a whole new way for anyone who enjoys writing poetry, not just practicing haijin. I'm one of nine judges who have two weeks to pick 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place winners who will get a windfall of prizes!

April 10 (edited) The surgery went well, and a full recovery is anticipated. The rest of this particular entry can be seen in full in the previous posting of my journal history.

March 24 (edited), For half a year I've been dealing with the issue of cancer, and because of it I'll undergo kidney surgery on March 25th.

Up until the day of surgery, I've been writing & writing & writing. When I was dragging through my days before the wrimo and didn't think I'd make it, I wound up helping design the February wrimo stamp, and then I did the wrimo and finished it. I wrote lots of new poetry, with a few being featured hither & yon. I did my first live podcast (#10) (see =Writers-Slam) a couple of weeks ago, with another coming up (Writers Slam 11 podcast has since broadcast!) Our Will ^fllnthblnk is going to publish my long poem "Quicksilver" in the 3rd edition of "Clearfield Review". And, as soon as I have the energy to finish editing the galley of my next book (accomplished yaaay!), I'll be that much closer to announcing the release of "Night Vision" (the title of my second book).

March 21, Did you know today is World Poetry Day? Yes indeed! My poem "Remembering Trains" is one of the pieces featured here in a news article about this special day yaaay! [link]

March 2, Like many other lucky deviants, I've been mugged, and I like it! `Flutterings has put together a terribly funny & cleverly designed series of 100 coffee mugs that are for sale at $15 each, with all profits going to Cancer Research UK! I, among those afflicted, appreciate her efforts and those contributing to a cause that affects everyone worldwide. As for the mugs, the one you see above is of yours truly! A perfect reason to contribute to charity, and have something from deviantArt for your favorite beverage. Let's all do our part!

Click this stamp to view my collection for the 4th HaikuWriMo.

February 1-28, hosted by our Mike, who originated the event in 2006! This is my third wrimo (Oct'07 & July'08 was my first & second). For those of you who don't know yet, the HaikuWriMo involves participants from everywhere who write a haiku a day for the chosen month. Haiku is a style of Japanese poetry that includes brevity and observations of nature in a particular season.
A wonderful opportunity for the wrimo, I was deeply honored to collaborate with our John in the creation of this year's stamp! He's made one for each wrimo since the start.

The communities are abuzz about the new Gallery Moderators! Firstly, the lit comm gives a warm hug & salute to Aditi `lovetodeviate as she has stepped down from her lofty position as GM in exchange for worthy pursuits of studies, and her wonderful writing! Meantime, the scope of GM-dom has swelled in ranks. Be sure to visit with your thanks for each of them taking on the responsibilities the position brings:


Anime/Manga: ^ctJemm
Anthro: ^savagebinn
Commercial Photography: ^orangefruits
deviantART Related: `2dazed
Emoticons: ^Synfull & ^DeMaulwurfn
Game Art: ^ForksOfTheSalad & ^technographer
Glamour Photography: ^cosfrog
Literature: ^fllnthblnk & ^SparrowSong
Pixel Art: ^armaina & ^Mistress-Jaeden
Space Art: ^gucken & ^taenaron

is a proud member & active participant of

is hosting a new contest that began May 3rd, and is his brainchild for a new style of poetry: acrostic haiku! This could become a whole new way for anyone who enjoys writing poetry, not just practicing haijin. It's a unique & fun challenge to bring everyone in on writing Japanese poetry, but with a western "twist". *winx* I suspect our Joe leans towards the diabolical under the guise of college philanthropist. But I'm being playful at his expense-- allow me to provide you with links (below) that will help prepare you for acrostic haiku, and (it is my fondest hope) for your participation in the contest- I know you can do it! I'm one of the judges who will oversee the entries and vote on those who give it their best shot. I look forward to seeing yours!

Here [link] is the tutorial, and

here [link] is the news article to herald the start of the contest which will run through June 5, 2009 11:59:59 pm GMT. This gives everyone plenty of time to study the tutorial and give it a go, so don't panic!

April 10 (edited) The surgery went well, and a full recovery is anticipated. The rest of this particular entry can be seen in full in the previous posting of my journal history.

March 24 (edited), For half a year I've been dealing with the issue of cancer, and because of it I'll undergo kidney surgery on March 25th.

Up until the day of surgery, I've been writing & writing & writing. When I was dragging through my days before the wrimo and didn't think I'd make it, I wound up helping design the February wrimo stamp, and then I did the wrimo and finished it. I wrote lots of new poetry, with a few being featured hither & yon. I did my first live podcast (#10) (see =Writers-Slam) a couple of weeks ago, with another coming up (Writers Slam 11 podcast has since broadcast!) Our Will ^fllnthblnk is going to publish my long poem "Quicksilver" in the "Clearfield Review" in the near future (possibly the 3rd edition). And, as soon as I have the energy to finish editing the galley of my next book (accomplished yaaay!), I'll be that much closer to announcing the release of "Night Vision" (the title of my second book).

March 21, Did you know today is World Poetry Day? Yes indeed! My poem "Remembering Trains" is one of the pieces featured here in a news article about this special day yaaay! [link]

March 2, Like many other lucky deviants, I've been mugged, and I like it! `Flutterings has put together a terribly funny & cleverly designed series of 100 coffee mugs that are for sale at $15 each, with all profits going to Cancer Research UK! I, among those afflicted, appreciate her efforts and those contributing to a cause that affects everyone worldwide. As for the mugs, the one you see above is of yours truly! A perfect reason to contribute to charity, and have something from deviantArt for your favorite beverage. Let's all do our part!

Click this stamp to view my collection for the 4th HaikuWriMo.

February 1-28, hosted by our Mike, who originated the event in 2006! This is my third wrimo (Oct'07 & July'08 was my first & second). For those of you who don't know yet, the HaikuWriMo involves participants from everywhere who write a haiku a day for the chosen month. Haiku is a style of Japanese poetry that includes brevity and observations of nature in a particular season.
A wonderful opportunity for the wrimo, I was deeply honored to collaborate with our John in the creation of this year's stamp! He's made one for each wrimo since the start.

The communities are abuzz about the new Gallery Moderators! Firstly, the lit comm gives a warm hug & salute to Aditi `lovetodeviate as she has stepped down from her lofty position as GM in exchange for worthy pursuits of studies, and her wonderful writing! Meantime, the scope of GM-dom has swelled in ranks. Be sure to visit with your thanks for each of them taking on the responsibilities the position brings:


Anime/Manga: ^ctJemm
Anthro: ^savagebinn
Commercial Photography: ^orangefruits
deviantART Related: ^2dazed
Emoticons: ^Synfull & ^DeMaulwurfn
Game Art: ^ForksOfTheSalad & ^technographer
Glamour Photography: ^cosfrog
Literature: ^fllnthblnk & ^SparrowSong
Pixel Art: ^armaina & ^Mistress-Jaeden
Space Art: ^gucken & ^taenaron

is a proud member & active participant of