the review.
newsflash!
The Canadian government has set up a toll-free number that people can call to voice their opinion on the role Canada should play in this crisis: 1-866-880-4378. Tell them how you feel!
And speaking of candlelight, I'm doing this. You should too.
An antidote to the troubles.
It's hard to focus on anything with this war going on in the background.
But it's possible.
Every day I hear another complaint about saturation coverage. War talk is unavoidable, so people say. I've heard tons of complaints about non-stop coverage on the CBC. Obviously, these people ar listening to the wrong station. CBC radio two has solved the what-to-do-about-the-war problem: they have their regular news on the hour; say, "for ongoing coverage of the war, please turn to CBC radio one," and then return to regular programming. The Arts Report, for example. A sonata, perhaps.
Or you can listen to your own music, CDs, mix tapes, pull out that comb and tissue paper, whatever. Sing. Hum. Whistle.
If the newspaper is too daunting, read a novel. Or a short story. Or a poem.
Turn off the tv.
Do a crossword puzzle. Knit a sweater. Take up quilting. Give your bike a tune-up. Weed the garden. Have a bath.
When the world is coming apart, it needs to be put back together. It needs the smart solace of the fruit of creative minds. I recently heard (wish I could remember where) someone describe fiction as "a how-to book for living." This is what we need right now. When people are dying, we need to know how to live. Not sure how to cope with grief? With anger? Read Tolstoy. Or Kundera.
Or write that novel yourself.
Art is what makes life worth living. So create something. Whether it's building a chair or writing a song, the act of creation brings renewal. The smell of sawdust, dirt under your fingernails, realizing suddenly that three hours have passed while you've been typing madly, all of these lead to one thing: the chance to step back, breathe deeply, and say yes. Yes. There. I made that.
There is no satisfaction to be had in destruction. Or inaction. When the world is going crazy, do something to make the world a better place.
updated 27 march 2003. old
books
theatre
music
film
dance
links:
the atlantic
drool
etiquette grrls
eyeshot
hive
international festival of authors
lazy mick
mcsweeneys
media diet
the onion
opium
pindeldyboz
salon
7q
shift
*spark
smw
sfm
zoetrope
zulkey
archives:
30 january 2003: The things we wish for and the things we become.
7 march 2003: What's worse than plagiarism?
Media Overload is Over (if you want it)
6 february 2003: The littlest things can be the most lovely
more...
