The Ritual of Writing

Outside of being caught up in the Pride run today, I’ve been thinking about what I call the Ritual of writing.  Considering the PhD just doesn’t tickle my throat like the hops and barley do at the Hopleaf.  Despite the fact that I have spent long hard hours on a Master’s degree from NWU and can talk high theory and all, I’m just not convinced that the PhD is part of my journey!  For a long time I thought it was.  In fact, I poured all of my energy into finding the “right” program!  From California, to New York, to Latin America to even England!  Today, however, I’m happy not reading 400+ pages or writing 20-30 page papers.

Do I miss the way the pages of books feel against my fingertips as I flip the pages or run my fingertips along the page?  Absolutely!  Do I miss writing out an outline?  Sure!  But, that’s why I’m learning to find the space in between academia and blogging, the space of creative non-fiction that perhaps fuels the ritual of writing!  I’m learning to find the space in between so many things–its the space that unites the friendship and the fear!  Its the way love unites Life and Death, my friends!

The task of translating high theory into manageable pieces of literature is really where it is for me.  I do see the elements of eroticism of writing that combine with the creative non-fiction pieces:  poetry, memoir, etc.  In fact, I’ve recently been thinking about the role of food and writing!  

There’s so much out there that is fodder for analysis–from the earth grown agave Tequila to swanky vegetarian food–about which I could write!  All of which is creative non-fiction and all of which is celebrating the ritual of writing!  This is all part of my story that is ever growing, and its all part of my Chicago story, which is certainly SO different than my TX story!

Evolution Revolution–this is the chimp story!  More to come!