What I've been doing...

I've been doing so much of everything, that's I've close to nothing this week.

I feel very pulled in many directions and unconnected. It's one of my least favorite feelings. I'm thinking about a lot at once and doing little. Or I'm trying to do a lot, but managing to do little well. I'm not sure what I even said today, though I know I spoke. I tried to be courteous to others, but what they may have seen was someone in a golden poncho running by.

There is a certain color of morning that only a West Coast ocean can produce. While some see the reds and pinks of sunrise, the ocean sees blues. Outside the window on the beach, dark and light blue. I see this image on the cover of a book and I cross my fingers.

There are perfect mornings and ghosts reflecting from the windows. I need to slow down. I need to.

Today I was annoyed because I found a darling multi-colored scarf on the sidewalk. Someone said, "It might belong to those people." *Those people* were halfway down the street. I said, "Yell to them." The someone said, "They are too far away."

I said, "Now this scarf if my responsibility. I regret seeing this scarf." I didn't chase the people yelling "Is this your scarf?" which actually is something my more active personality would do, but this unfocused scattered personality just wanted to take a nap.

If this sounds like a scene from Frog and Toad are Friends, it could be if it weren't my life.

And the scarf? It's been sent to the Lost and Found. Maybe I can find my old self there, the one who isn't so scattered as I've been. Maybe my center is there.

Suggested Blog Topic: The Poet's Stipend

Here's an interesting topic that was requested recently. When someone asks you what's your normal stipend (or payment) for their conference, reading, etc. What do you say?

It seems it varies between event. For example, most poets tend to do readings for free and are excited if there's payment. While conferences or leading a workshop require more work and organization, plus your time, travel, and sometimes lodging.

I have taught at one day conferences where payment has ranged from $150-$250 for teaching one class. Of course, you don't just teach your class and leave, so your time is there for the day, but in most cases, you're welcome to attended other classes or workshops, which for me is a bonus.

Bigger poetry festivals will usually cover lodging and food and can pay $250 per workshop, reading, or lecture you teach. Most giving poets 3-4 of these in a 2 (sometimes 3) day period.

When asked for what my stipend is for an event, I usually give amounts I've been paid before then offer that most likely their standard payment would be adequate (given travel expenses to get to the place aren't ridiculously expensive). Though I know poets who have driven through sleet and rain, taken ferries and buses to arrive at an event to read (without payment) to three people. And I remember her saying, "That's what poets do. I was glad to have been there."

What's your thought on being paid for a workshop or class? Is it different than being paid for a reading (which I'm guessing most of us aren't expecting payment.) Or am I wrong, do you expect to be paid for a reading?

What do you feel is a fair price to pay poets when they teach a workshop or a class, give a reading, or participant in a writer's conference?

With the price of gas rising, the price of travel has increased, because of this, should poets be paid more or does that determine what events you'll do as a poet?

Feel free to post what you've been paid (if anything) and you're welcome to be anonymous with the event if you like, just let us know what kind of event it was--poetry festival, workshop, college lecture, talk, etc.

What are your thoughts on this topic?