Speaking of bad news, this just in. Someone horrible and unprincipled stole four laptops and some other items from four students at Clarion West. I can imagine all too easily what they're going through. Not only are they in the thick of a very emotionally and intellectually intense workshop, but now the work they've done so far is gone (I hope they have backups of anything else they may have had on their laptops!) and their future potential to participate in this prestigious workshop has been very seriously impeded. If you can help please do. It's not easy to get into Clarion West. They're dedicated writers and my heart aches for them. I'm sure the thief had no idea about the heartache s/he has caused, nor is it likely that this person cares, just as long as they get themselves some money out of it. Two Mac laptops have been volunteered on loan. If you have a laptop you can loan or wish to donate please do.
On the scope of all things in the world these are small blips, but they're our blips, darnit. When these things happen all we can do is support the folks in distress and take what comfort we can in that this too will gradually change from a tortuous present to become part of our community's painful, beautiful, difficult and wonderful history. Into history we and all we do must recede, but life and work is never in vain. It just is.
