Work & "Marriage Song"

Work was tiring today. I didn't have my usual patience for the common misconceptions people have about pharmacy-- the biggest one being: pharmacy staffs should give people refills even if a prescription is expired or out of refills. God forbid if your pharmacy staff politely points out that you've had a whole a month to contact your doctor for refills, which would be more efficient than waiting until the day you need the medication to ask you pharmacy staff to contact the doctor and yell at the staff because your doctor didn't respond within your time line.

Ok. Enough of that and more of Beth Gylys, the Poet of the Month for May.

MARRIAGE SONG

Some have affairs. They never stop to think

until they're begging for a second chance.

(We love and learn we sometimes need a drink.)

Impatient with his life, he quipped, "We blink,

we're forty: with wives, kids, retirement plans."

Some have affairs. It isn't what they think.

He saw this woman at the skating rink,

watching their sons play hockey from the stands.

He fought the urge to ask her for a drink.

She wore those stretchy pants, a long faux mink

slid next to him and said, "Hi, my name's Nance."

He wanted her right there. He couldn't think.

They fucked in hotel rooms, designer pink,

drank cheap champagne. He signed her underpants.

They fucked and ordered something else to drink.

His wife broke all the dishes in the sink,

took both the kids and flew first class to France.

Some have affairs--it's never what they think.

We sigh and shake our heads. We have a drink.

~Beth Gylys

from BODIES THAT HUM, Silverfish Review Press

Bad News But More Beth Gylys

Today, I received an email from ToasterMag's editor that he has decided to put ToasterMag on hold. The next issue, the Pride issue, will be the last. Disappointment. I'm feeling loads of disappointment. As I read his lengthy email I understand why he doing what he is doing, and it isn't the end-- just the end of a monthly ezine. At some point there will be something down the road, but I can't really find comfort in that. I've been working hard on developing the creative writing portion of ToasterMag. My latest project was starting an annual contest for ToasterMag-- it was all set to happen, and the talented and freaking awesome poet, Laure-Anne Bosselaar, was going to be the judge. The editor offered to make special provisions for the contest to still happen because he knows how much of my heart I had already poured in, but I don't think I'll take him up on it----- it wouldn't be the same. Oh well, time to find a different way to burn some of my energy.

Now some happiness.....

AFTERWARDS

Your desktop PC is well-equipped to handle
every disaster from spilled coffee to a power surge,
which is only one reason I don't understand
how you can just stand there,
puzzling at the toes of your Reeboks,
as if you might think of an apology for yourself
or your lack of courteous love-making practices,
such as kissing me on the neck,
for instance, or taking off your tube socks,
which, after all, usually have holes, and anyway,
you told me you didn't believe in all that shit
about mutuality of marriage, so at least you could stop
curling your lip like a frazzled Doberman
and fuck like you want to fuck
or leave like you're never coming back.

~ Beth Gylys
from BODIES THAT HUM, Silverfish Review Press

Beth Gylys ~ "Hands Full of Nothing"

I promised two Gylys poems a day, so here it is:

HANDS FULL OF NOTHING

The hotel lobby, a one-legged man
flops down next to me. I'm so tired
I could curl beside the fountain,
Cupid in its center, vomiting green water.
You were just on the phone, saying,
I'd like to kneel down in front of you,
my tongue between your. . . If I were there,
you wouldn't even take me out
to get a sandwich. The one-legged man
makes his living playing bass. His laugh
sounds like a horse. I close my eyes.
I'd like to . . . If I were there, you wouldn't even
meet me for a drink. Why do I call?
Here by nine, I drove through the night,
sunroof open, the sky a pincushion of stars.
To stay awake, I kept reaching up my hand
to grab, one more time, a fistful of wind.

~ Beth Gylys
Spot in the Dark, Ohio State University Press (2004)

ToasterMag, Bud, & Disposing Meds

~ After a bit of work on the topic, I can now announce that ToasterMag will have its first poetry contest this year! Want to know the contest name? Want to the know the name of the judge? Well, I will say the name has roots in poetry, and the judge is a very distinguished poet. If you want more than that you'll have to check out ToasterMag in mid June.

~ Today, Paul and I went for a walk with Daisy. (Daisy will get her own post at a later date explaining her identity.) As we walked in the apartment complex, returning from our walk, a young guy asks, "Do you know where I can buy any bud?" I replied, "At the BP across from the complex," thinking the guy must have been slow-- almost every gas station I've been stocks beer. Then the guy looks at me like I'm slow and says, "Some green." At this point I do feel stupid, well maybe more naive, and Paul quickly responds "We're not into that sort of thing." The guy apologized and walked off. I wanted to tag on, "Yeah, we've actually never done any illegal drunks or abused prescription drugs, but I can drink like Tammy Faye puts on make-up." But I doubt he'd be impressed with not liking the drugs... oh well, I guess D.A.R.E. didn't reached him.

~ A friendly tip from a pharmacy guy: If you ever have to dispose of medication don't flush it. Not good. Not good at all. Dissolve the tablets in water or another liquid. Poor the dissolved tablets in cat litter, coffee grounds, or some other item from your kitchen. (If you have a liquid medication skip the dissolving part and follow instructions.) Then seal the contents in a bag and drop in the nearest trashcan.

Beth Gylys ~ May POTM

Due to some issues with Microsoft word I have been working on retyping my interview with Marilyn Nelson. The interview is still coming; do not think otherwise!

For the rest of May I am going to share the work of Beth Gylys. To compensate for my lack of posting her poems throughout the month I'm going to post a Gylys poem every morning and evening until May 31.


IF ONLY

If only we were always beginning to love,
my trembling need, your hands warm
pressing my back, my sides, your lips
everywhere changing me. If only I
could it so, I'd hold you in that
pose of open tenderness, something
of your face as once desiring and content
as if what your eyes had strained to find
at last fell on the thing. If only I could
always feel so rightly placed, my body
lovely because you name it so, your fingers
making me willing, supple, graced.

~ Beth Gylys
from Spot in the Dark, Ohio State University Press (2004)

Quotes on Writing Poetry

Collin and Kate both tagged me for a Quote Meme--- to find 10 quotes from poets that flow with my thoughts on poetry writing. I guess this is some sort of small landmark in my blogging since this is my first time doing one of these (no wise cracks CK or MM). I added an extra quote for the heck of it.

Images are probably the most important part of the poem. First of all you want to tell a story, but images are what are going to shore it up and get to the heart of the matter.
~ Anne Sexton

You run into people who want to write poetry who don't want to read anything in the tradition. That's like wanting to be a builder but not finding out what different kinds of wood you use.

~ Gary Snyder

Any work of art makes one very simple demand on anyone who genuinely wants to get in touch with it. And that is to stop. You've got to stop what you're doing, what you're thinking, and what you're expecting and just be there for the poem for however long it take.

~ W.S. Merwin

The title of your poem can accomplish something your poem did not.
~ Beth Gylys

Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words."
~ Robert Frost

Poetry is ordinary language raised to the Nth power. Poetry is boned with ideas, nerved and blooded with emotions, all held together by the delicate, tough skin of words.
~ Paul Engle

The joy that isn't shared dies young.
~ Anne Sexton

Courage is the most important of all the virtues, because without courage you can't practice any other virtue consistently. You can practice any virtue erratically, but nothing consistently without courage.
~ Maya Angelou

If technique is of no interest to a writer, I doubt that the writer is an artist.
~Marianne Moore

A poetry articulating the dreads and horrors of our time is necessary in order to make readers understand what is happening, really understand it, not just know about it but feel it: and should be accompanied by a willingness on the part of those who write it to take additional action towards stopping the great miseries which they record.
~ Denise Levertov

I tag MM, Robin, & Charlie.

Dekalb Voices

The talk is done; action is in place. Finally, I did it!

Dekalb Voices

Hopefully, my efforts will be a success. Send your Dekalb peeps to the blog; encourage them to express themselves.

Email me if you want to assist.

Senate Bill 148 Signed into Law

On Thursday, May 24, 2007, I had the pleasure of watching Senate Bill 148 signed into law by Governor Perdue. I have to admit, I was surprised that Senator Shafer invited me to the signing, and it was interesting, to say the least, to be so close to Sadie Fields. (If you don't recognize the name click here for a blog entry that sum up my thoughts on Sadie.)

OK. I debated whether or not to make the following comment, but I say, oh why not! Thursday was the first time that I've ever seen Sadie up close and personal, and I have to know how she keeps her face looking so youthful. The youthful tightness of her cheeks must come nature or maybe her family ages well because I doubt a die-hard religious lady, such as Ms. Fields, would have plastic surgery. I mean, plastic surgery is vanity, right? If I remember correctly, vanity is a sin, not to mention 'damaging' the temple. I digress.

Once I find the cord to hook the digital camera to my computer, I'll post some pictures of the signing.

ToasterMag: Volume 2, Issue 5

Featured in ToasterMag's FREEHAND department in Volume 2, Issue 5 are Beth Gylys & Theresa Davis. (Click the graphic to read their work.)

Beth Gylys-- There is so much to say about Beth Gylys that I could write a book. Instead of writing that book I'll simply say she's an amazing and talented professo and one hell of a poet-- I say these both from first hand experience. I always keep her book BODIES THAT HUM near by when I write; I can always find inspiration in her words. FREEHAND is featuring two of her poems that will appear in her new chapbook LITTLE MATCHBOOK.

Theresa Davis-- Or as I should say Theresa "Fucking" Davis. She's a teacher, poet, and activist. Whenever anyone mentions slam/spoken word style poetry, I always say, "I never enjoyed slam poetry until Theresa Davis." Each time Theresa takes the stages she rocks it out-- she's my rockstar. The poem included in FREEHAND is a personal favorite of mine, and I am glad Theresa said yes when I asked to publish it.

MondoHomo

MondoHomo Dirty South
2007 Festival Schedule

Wednesday, June 27, 2007: East Atlanta Kickoff
The Earl: Team Gina, KIN, One Hand Loves the Other, Akil,
Natalie llium, dj Va Jay Jay
SOPO Bicycle Cooperative tour
The new MSR: art show
Mary's: Log Jam featuring: Paul Mercer, Fagatrons, team Heat Wave, Johnny Mae, Akil

Thursday, June 28, 2007 at 7pm: Tower Lounge II
- spoken word – Dj Vick of Traxx and MC: rapper Bad Kat
Featuring: PhoeniX YZ, Ami Mattison and Amber Dawn UpfoldSiren, Dr. Madelyn Hatter, Theresa Davis, Beki Buchanan,Kit Yan, Stacie Boschma, Corey Houlihan, Sam Martin, Dustin Brookshire, Karen G, kathleen delaney

Lenny's- Moxie Cabaret featuring: Cakalak Thunder, Ms. Cherry Galette, MC Haywood Wakefield, Leroi the Girl Boi, Pilou Miller, Karissa the Pole Dancer, Destiny Brooks,Alice D, Diego Wolf, Penasco Theatre Collective, Bois 2 Men, Chica Boom, Dixie Pistols, Good N Plenty-, Al Schlong


Friday, June 29 at 8pm: Aurora/Criminal Records:
in store 6pm Drunken Unicorn: Dino Felipé, Can Can, Small Framed Boy, Jeremy Gloff MJQ: Homo revolution featuring:Tori Fixx,Deadlee,Feloni,and Bigg NuggDjs Yvonne Monet, Haute Couture and Twinkledome
HOSTED BY: Jason Jupiter and Tom Tom

Saturday, June 30 at 4pm: Lenny's:
Queer Craft Fair, Team Gina, Skate like a Girl, the Shondes, Athens Boys Choir, ex-Members (members of the Butchies) RoboSapien, KatastropheDjs 5 hour boner and Business Casual

Sunday, July 1 at 4pm:USSF and MondoHomo Closing Party:
Eyedrum Gallery- Pinkeye Film and Video, Djs Hawg-Tied, dr. Katz, Lisa Williams, Va Jay Jay, Duck,5 hour bonercatering by Ria’s Bluebird

(All information was taken from the MondoHomo Myspace page.)

What to do?

I am too far behind-- no Nelson interview posted yet, have yet to finish organizing the office, need to send out email regarding Atlanta Pride, emails regarding a poetry fundraiser...... the list could continue.

I'm off work because I woke up not feeling well, and if there is one thing I have learned quickly is to listen to my body. A day of rest will have me back at work tomorrow going full force. However, I plan to squeeze in a couple of tasks from my list (if I don't, I might go crazy).

I want to give a huge heartfelt thank you to Montgomery Maxton and Kate Evans. MM is using his blog in a creative way to help with fundraising for my AIDS Walk Team, Team Truvy. (Take a minute to check out his post!) Kate Evans was the first person to donate to Team Truvy. Again, thanks MM and Kate!


Mother's Day-- My mother visited on Saturday, and my gift to her was a meal. We had salad, lemon pepper chicken, rice, veggies, mac&cheese, and baked potatoes. I cook from time to time; however, it typically isn't a meal like this, and I have to admit-- cooking a "big" meal isn't an easy task. I need to buy my mother a big ass thank you card for all those meals she cooked and continues to cook for the family.

When my mother cooks she is always getting up from the table for one reason or another so another else has to; she says it is what mothers do, so I enjoyed that my mother actually sat and relaxed when I asked (and demanded) her too while I did all the work. Her taking it easy made me smile and feel good.

Team Truvy Registered for AIDS Walk 2007

Today, I registered as team captain of Team Truvy for the Atlanta AIDS Walk 2007. If you are able, interested, and do not have a team, please feel free to join Team Truvy-- the more people, the better we can be.

Here's some information about AID Atlanta from their website:
AID Atlanta is a non-profit, community-based AIDS services organization, serving individuals infected and affected by the AIDS epidemic.

The mission of AID Atlanta is to empower HIV positive Georgians to live independent, productive lives, and to deliver world class educational programs that help stop the spread of HIV by reducing at-risk behaviors in targeted populations.

I think we can all agree, that's a cause worthy of fundraising!

Ways to be involved....
To join Team Truvy click here and follow the prompts.
If you want to donate to Team Truvy, click here.
Spread the word via email, Myspace, & blogging about the walk!

Retail Pharmacy Rant

At the ripe ole age of 24, I have eight years of retail pharmacy experience. I have worked in various positions within the pharmacy field from working in a district office to working behind the counter (in a store). Last year, my being a college student and the fact one of my bosses was a royal jerk, I transitioned from the district office back to a store. At first I was unhappy and angry about the change; however, most of the unhappiness and anger stemmed from my being screwed over. I was going to write once I got over the anger I started enjoying being on the counter again, but I honestly think it was being on the counter, having the interaction with people and being able to help patients, is what got me over the negative feelings/emotions. (The wonderful coworkers I have probably helped too!)

Pharmacy staffs tend to receive a lot of negative attention; seven out of ten patients always seem to blame their pharmacy before they will blame their doctor's office, insurance company, and especially before the blame falls on the person looking in the mirror. With this in mind, it sure didn't help when Dateline aired its one sided special on pharmacy errors. If you didn't see the special, well, I'm glad, but I'm sure you can look it up on the Dateline website.

There is so much I want to write, so please bare with me. I don't even know where to begin, but I must vent.

PATIENCE: I think problems stem with patients being impatient. Seinfield once joked that pharmacy is simply taking pills from a large bottle and placing them in a small bottle-- if only that were true! There is more to pharmacy than a bunch of people behind a counter counting pills.

TASKS: The pharmacy staff and especially the pharmacist have a lot to deal with on a daily basis. People come in to drop off prescriptions to be filled, speak to personnel via the phone to have prescriptions filled, people use an automated system to have prescriptions filled, and they can email refills in. Doctors basically have the same options; however, new prescriptions can be faxed in from a doctor's office. An important fact to note is that only a pharmacist or an intern can transcribe prescriptions from a doctor's office.

Not all calls are requests to fill prescriptions. People have questions, oh yes do they have questions. We receive questions that range from:
"The label on my bottle says I don't have any refills; is that really true?" to
"I found a white pill in my daughter's bedroom. Is she taking Vicodin?" to

"What's the name of that shop next door to you guys?" to
"Can you spell tourette's syndrome? I want to know because --insert a ten minute story that has nothing to do with pharmacy at all--" to
"I'm taking Coumadin, and I need to take something over the counter for pain. Can you recommend something?" to
"What is the best medication over the counter for a cough?" to the spring classic,
"What can I use to treat my poison oak/ivy?"
Most of the questions, well the serious & medical ones, have to be answered by a pharmacist or an intern.

Questions are also asked by patients when they pick up a prescription. Some of the same questions I listed are asked by patients in the store. And still, these questions must be answered by a pharmacist or an intern. (Hope you're keeping a mental tally of all the tasks of a pharmacist.)

All of the prescriptions filled must be checked by a pharmacist-- no interns allowed on this one. At times your pharmacist might need to check with your doctor, while as a patient you become frustrated with your pharmacy since your wait time is increased, the pharmacist can be saving you from something slight or your life. I've seen numerous doctors miss a patient's drug allergy; however, the pharmacist or a member of the pharmacy team caught it. Remember, this kind of situation only works when YOU provide your pharmacy team with your allergies. I can't even count the times I've been yelled at for asking a patient for allergies-- people seem to forget a person can develop an allergy at any point in his/her life.

Put all of the patient care aside for a moment-- a pharmacy is a business, and pharmacists are the bosses in the pharmacy. Pharmacists have to deal with hiring, training, firing, and scheduling associates. They are ultimately responsible for inventory management and tons of tasks that come down from corporate-- failure to complete tasks or have poor inventory management can result in a pharmacist being written up, no matter if the pharmacist does an excellent job in the filling and counseling portions of the job.

INSURANCE: There are THOUSANDS of insurance plans. It is impossible for any person to know the details of every plan, so you should not expect your pharmacy staff to develop ESP to provide you with the information. The average insurance company lists the names of medications that are preferred and non-preferred on their website. Take advantage of the information on your insurance company's website; take it with you to your doctor's appointment.

If your insurance does not cover a medication or requires a prior authorization before the medication will be covered, it is NOT the fault of your pharmacy staff. Unfortunately, your pharmacy staff has to relay the bad news, but they shouldn't be punished for it. If you need a prior authorization follow up with your doctor's office after the pharmacy has contacted them; let them know you are in the loop because it typically speeds up the process. Beware that insurance companies love to misplace completed prior authorizations, so it might take a couple of tries.

TECHNICIANS: Pharmacy technicians are the cornerstone of a pharmacy. Every pharmacist I have ever worked with will tell you he/she couldn't do it without his/her techs. Dateline mentioned that some techs are in high school and portrayed high school techs as a sin. Well, hate to break it to Dateline but I did an awesome job as a tech when I was in high school-- such a good job that my district manager had me visiting other pharmacies on the weekend to prep them for inventories. It isn't age that matters; it is maturity, and a thorough interview will screen for proper maturity. But in any case, most pharmacies now require techs to be 18 years or older.

Most techs receive on the job training. Yes, there are tech certificates that one can earn from attending classes, but the difference in pay for someone getting on the job experience vs. someone who went through a program isn't much, typically fifty cents. Would you pay a few thousand for a fifty cent pay difference? Your average tech makes $11 an hour. Do you think that attracts America's best and brightest?

Techs do have the option to take a national exam to become a Nationally Certified Technician. Most pharmacies reimburse techs when they pass the national exam and implement a fifty cent raise. Remember the fifty cent raise I mentioned in the above paragraph; the reason it is implemented is because after taking the courses the tech students must take the national exam.

REMEMBER: A pharmacist has a tremendous amount of responsibility upon his/her shoulders since a pharmacist is caring for thousands of people while each person only has to look over him/herself (and possibly other family members). Take some responsibility for yourself and ask all members of your health care team, from doctor's office to pharmacy, questions.

It wouldn't hurt to remember that your pharmacist is someone who completed five to eight years of college to earn his/her degree, not someone who walks on water.

I have more I want to post, but I'll want for another day!

Chapbook -- Anorexia Witch

A few ages ago I started a series of poems titled Anorexia Witch. After I "completed" the series I put them aside, and it has been within the past year or so that I have started working with the poems again. I wanted to have a chapbook together last year, but it wasn't meant to be-- even though my cover work is beautiful and complete.

Anyway, here's the first poem of the series:

Anorexia Witch 1

You enter wearing your black hat,
tip pointing to the sky,
never moves as you walk
or glide—always perfection.
Must be some talent.
You carry your cauldron,
handle over your wrist,
draped like curtain over a rod.
Your brew bubbles,
the air wafting
a delicious smell to my nostrils---
stirs a hunger in me,
well, almost.

You are rail thin,
your dress specially crafted
for a petite body.
I lust when I see the straps
of your heels criss-crossing
over your sharp ankles.

Bewitching. Intriguing. Bewitching.
I want you to bewitch me.

Let me have a taste
of what you carry.
Let me sip your perfection.
Whispering. Cackling. Whispering.
What is this spell you're casting?
Have I heard your words before?
Be a witch like the world
has never seen, one of pure
bodily perfection.

Before you call to your broom,
I request,
Cast your spell on me.

IDAHO & A Picture--- Serious & Entertaining

Today, at the monthly Atlanta Pride Committee (yes, it has been proven safe to allow me to serve on committees) I learned something new. May 17 is International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO). Check out the IDAHO website for information, including an interview with the founder of IDAHO.

To the left of the web page is a list titled Global Information-- guess what? The United States isn't listed. Honestly, I was shocked, but maybe I shouldn't be. I'm more likely to have a number hit covering a Dolly Parton song than our President making a positive public statement in regards to the day.

I want to see some action regarding IDAHO! Hopefully, I'm not the only one. Since my discovery occurred only IDAHO an hour ago, I am still reading information from the site; I'll post more information as I continue to research.

OK. On a much, much lighter note-- below is a picture of me in my new favorite shirt for the time being with my beautiful friend/coworker Unni (also known as the Unester--pronounced une-ster).



I had a woman give me an odd look, which made me think she was about to throw her sandwich at me; then she says, "I like. I'm a hot mom."

Poem to Read & ToasterMag Reminder

~ Check out Montgomery Maxton's poem "Hotel Fire." MM has a pretty snazzy blog too.

~ If you haven't already, please take some time to check out the April issue of ToasterMag before the May issue is updated.

~ Rented THE QUEEN last night. Netflix it.... go to Blockbuster... view the movie some how--- Helen Mirren's performance is worth it!

AJC Demonstration -- Another Ellen Lindquist Email

Book lovers,

As many of you have already heard, in a disastrous move the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has eliminated its Book Page Editor position. The fate of the Sunday book page is hanging in the balance.

This Thursday, May 3rd at 10 a.m. in front of the AJC, please join me, members of the Atlanta Writers Club and others in a protest against the AJC's misguided decision. We will be having a read-in, chalk-drawing, chanting and drumming demonstration to send the AJC our message: WE WANT OUR BOOK REVIEW SECTION BACK! NOW!!! Bring your whistles, drums, picket signs, a book to read aloud--and, most importantly, yourself!!

Please forward this message to your own email lists. And, if you haven't already, sign the petition!

Ellen Lindquist
ellen_lindquist@hotmail.com

Contact Ellen for questions, concerns, or directions.

Behind with Nelson Interview

My interview with Marilyn Nelson should have been up yesterday, but I've been running behind the past couple of weeks. I am still doctoring the interview a bit; plus, I am adding in an update that was conducted only a couple of days ago via phone (I really need to work on my sloppy handwriting).

I hate that I didn't make my own deadline.