Favorite Thing Friday: Introvert Humor

Earlier this week, a friend of mine posted a picture of an awesome t-shirt of my Facebook timeline. She knows I love a good nerd shirt (see last week’s post) and she just had to share a spectacular find.

We’re both introverts, so it’s amazing we ever became friends. And it’s even more amazing that our friendship has continued despite our complete and total social impairment and awkwardness. In many ways, I think our friendship hinges on the fact that we can relate to each other because we share the inability to function in larger groups (or small groups). She gets me and I get her. And boy do we love to laugh about it.

So when this t-shirt popped up on her radar she knew I’d love it. And I do. I want it!

The problem is the picture was not linked. I have no idea where to buy this amazingly awesome introvert nerd shirt! After searching through amazon, google, and cafepress, I’m at a loss. I can find the quote, but I can’t find this particular design. My friend has no idea where she saw it either (she just had a baby, so she’s forgiven).

It’s my favorite thing this week and I’d love to add it to my closet, (so I can wear it to the next party or social function I’m forced to attend). Anyone out there know where to buy this shirt??

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What’s your favorite thing this week?

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c.b.w. 2015

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Towards the Sky

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Black Out Poetry: c.b.w. 2015
Source: The Saint Intervenes by Leslie Charteris (1934)

Who knew a haiku was hiding in an old spy novel!

More Black Out Poetry

A Haiku Victory!

Since embarking on the challenge of writing 30 Haikus in 30 Days back in November, my obsession with the haiku form has not diminished. So, when I heard about a local haiku competition I jumped at the chance to participate.

The prompt was simple: write an Arizona inspired haiku. I must have cranked out twenty, before I settled on three to submit.

pale light follows dawn
mountains ripple in the sky
coyote’s last howl

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Summer’s end is near
clouds of dust and monsoon rain
hover in the sky

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yellow cactus bloom
withers in the summer sun
alone in the sand

Weeks went by and then I discovered an email in my inbox announcing the results of the competition. It turns out two of my haiku earned Outstanding honors and would therefore be on display at the festival at a special Haiku Expo. In addition, they would also be published in an ebook, (the first two haikus were chosen). The ebook is gorgeous and well worth downloading!

The ebook is free! Click on the image for more information.

To say I was excited is an understatement. After failing in so many competitions, it’s nice to find myself in the winner’s circle for once! It may be a small, local competition, but it feels pretty big to me. There were over 600 entries and only 45 haikus received Outstanding status.

The competition was launched in conjunction with the Arizona Matsuri Festival – a Japanese cultural festival that has been a local mainstay for more than 30 years. I’ve gone before and have always enjoyed the bright colors, food, and cultural beauty on display.

Arizona Matsuri Festival – Cultural Exhibits

This is the first year for Haiku Expo and they did a nice job displaying the Outstanding and Honorable Mention haikus. Each haiku is handwritten on a piece of wood, giving the nature-inspired haiku a very organic feel.

Haikus On Display!

While at the display, I had the pleasure of speaking with one of the judges. After learning my name, he instantly knew my work – right down to how many haikus I entered. He then told me my work embodied everything haiku is supposed to be. After spending so much time immersing myself in the practice, this compliment means the world to me.

I read through some of the other poems on display and I must say I am so proud to be included among so many talented poets. Every haiku was so beautiful!

Given the success of the competition, I’m hoping the Haiku Expo will be even larger next year!

The first Haiku Expo at the Arizona Matsuri Festival. May there be many more!

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c.b.w. 2015

Speak

Words are not free
spend them wisely
Use them freely,
but with deep thought

So much is lost
if never said
Nothing is found,
if silence speaks

 

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Photo: Remnants of the Journalism Industry on Fleet Street, London, c.b.w. 2011
Words: c.b.w. 2015

Favorite Thing Friday: Nerd Shirts

As a lifelong nerd, I’ve amassed a rather impressive collection of nerd shirts. My closet includes everything from Star Wars, Smurfs, Harry Potter, The Office, Sherlock, Spider-man, and more Twilight shirts than any normal person would own, (at last count I had 28).

This ridiculous collection of t-shirts is what allowed me to start the tradition of Nerd Shirt Friday in my classroom. Every Friday I wear one of my nerd shirts and invite my students to do the same. This one simple act allows me to connect to my students in unexpected ways. There’s always that one kid who never says a word until they realize someone loves whatever is on their shirt. It’s an instant conversation starter that opens up a kid who would otherwise prefer to sit alone.

Even though we all show up wearing different shirts, it brings us all together. Everyone is a nerd about something and it’s fun to see what makes everyone smile!  Or laugh, which is especially true when I show up in my Twilight shirts – it’s kinda “out” now, except for the Twihards who refuse to let go.

This week, I’ll be deciding between two new nerds shirts. Fresh from the mail, I received two Arrow related shirts that are sure to open up some fantastic conversations.

First, I got a “sinceriously” t-shirt. Casual Arrow fans probably have no clue what sinceriously is all about, but die hards who follow Stephen Amell (the guy who plays Arrow) on social media are all too aware of the word he accidentally said during an interview. The word took off from there and is now widely used among Arrow fans. This year, Amell announced he set a goal to try and get sinceriously in the Oxford dictionary.

Another campaign starts on Feb 25, 2015

Purchased as part of a charity campaign launched by Amell, the shirt offers a formal definition for sinceriously in the hopes it will get people to use this fabulous new word while also raising money for two great charities – Stand for the Silent and Paws and Stripes. When it’s all said and done you’ve got to love the perfect fusion of good works and nerdom.

My second new nerd shirt is also related to Arrow. After an exhaustive search I finally found an Arrow shirt that is not lame or ridiculously expensive. It’s a simple arrow design with one of the show’s catch phrases.

In trademark green, I’ll be proudly displaying my Arrow fandom. This is going to look great with my Arrow Bracelet!

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What’s your favorite thing this week?

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c.b.w. 2015