Skip to main content

Junot Diaz


I think Junot Diaz may be my favorite author to speak at Talking Volumes.  This is How You Lose Her came out last Tuesday.  Having a job doesn't allow me to read as much as I would like, so I only finished 68% (Thanks Kindle Reader for the iPhone) before last night's reading.  After reading the first half of the book, I wasn't sure that I would finish it until I listened to Diaz speak.  He has an amazing way of sharing his intelligence while periodically (often) properly using the F-word or something as startling.  Part of it, in my opinion, is that he is switching codes, not only between Spanish and English but between street and academic talk.  As he spoke, he mentioned a variety of authors because he views himself as a reader first then a writer.  Some of the names were unfamiliar, so I tried to discreetly use my phone to search the web.  When he mentioned his students, I needed to grab the phone again.  Junot Diaz, a teacher?  Anyway, it's late for tomorrow's 5am ride.  Currently it is questionable, and if I stay up later, it's a definite no.  This weekend I will finish the book, download his Pulitzer Prize winning book and do more research on this guy.  I hope they rebroadcast his talk on MPR, after they clean it up, because there are parts I want to hear again and perhaps use with my students. 

I made my PLC do roses and thorns yesterday.  Tonight's rose was listening to Diaz share his intelligence and humor while interacting with the audience.  My thorn is that Diaz makes me feel like a complete idiot.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sankalpa Day 5

Today I went back to the interweb to find out what I could post about that would relate to sankalpa .  "...Sankalpa has the potential to release tremendous power by clearly defining and focusing on a chosen goal."  My chosen goal since May has truly been on being physically active.  Since it's cold and miserable out, I've been being active inside instead of outside.  December 6th (or something like that) was the last time I ventured outside for physical activity.  I, however, have still been going to they gym and focusing on being physically fit (or at least burning enough calories to eat more food).  Yesterday I received an early morning text from a friend in God's Country .  President Obama was talking about "The President's Challenge" .  Today (I tried yesterday and decided to put it off until today... forget out it... let it happen... put it aside... clear my mind of it... all probably sankalpa) I formed a group.  The...
8 comments
Read more

What if... The Delivery

  Molly was excited to get a package from her friend who lives in Alaska.  When she opened the box, she was confused.  Although the shirt was actually soft and of good quality, she was upset by the guns in the flag.  When she googled Holster's, it was exactly what she thought... pro-gun.  She didn't know how to handle the situation, so she sent a picture stating she was confused. Her friend had obviously lost her mind.  During the conversation, she kept proclaiming that she hadn't sent a t-shirt.  When Molly explained it was her writing on the box, things became weird.  The friend was in a state of denial.  Molly even sent a text with a picture of the writing on the box. Molly's friend was adamant that she sent homemade condiments.  She wouldn't give up on her story even though it was clear Molly is in possession of an NRA type t-shirt.  After much deliberation, the two friends realized what had happened.  The original box, wit...
2 comments
Read more

Missing You

Two Sundays ago I missed church because I was out of town. Last Sunday I missed church because I could not get to church due to the marathon (blocking my path... not my running). Dad and I tried to leave early, but we did not leave early enough. I joked with Dad about the fact that they would miss me at church. When I checked my e-mail this evening, I actually had an e-mail from my pastor saying I was missed. It was a short e-mail, but it was sweet and definitely a positive part of my day.
Post a Comment
Read more