Laying it all out...

Though I was on the newspaper staff in middle school, did layout for my high school year book, and worked on my college's art & literature annual for three years, until recently I never fully appreciated the artistic merit of a good layout. Perhaps that would have been beaten into me more if I had taken more than one graphic design course in college. (One semester of typography -- better known as "how to xerox sharpie-drawn letters" or "where to find the best copy machines" -- was all I could stomach.)

Lately, though, I've been doing more and more layout. Most of that stems from working on Shakespeare's Monkey Revue, but I've also been doing a fair share of layout at work too: I've been working with HR to get our overdue Employee Handbook printed. While the layouts aren't exciting or unique -- nothing like layouts for a commercial magazine or newspaper -- the fact remains that a good layout allows the content to shine. Likewise, if the layout does not compliment the content, or if it is poorly done (typos, misalignment, etc.), it distracts & detracts from the content.

Then I got to thinking... isn't that a wonderful metaphor for people? Sometimes we get to be content, but sometimes we're "just" layout. When we're layouts, if we strive to be good layouts, we'll compliment the content we're in the presence of, be it our significant other, our children, our coworkers, our friends. And while it's not as glorious to be the silent partner, there's something humble about doing it well.

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In other news, I heard back from Kakalak earlier this week! I had a poem accepted for publication ("Late but not running") and a piece of my artwork received an Honorable Mention! Once the book is in print, I'll make it public in my Shakespeare's Monkeys library. :)

Getting my butt in gear

The deadline for submissions for the annual KaKaLaK Anthology of Carolina Poets is sneaking up on me. Entries are due on Wednesday, and I still don't have them together, let alone turned in. So I'm sorta working on that tonight. It's kinda depressing, taking inventory of what worthwhile pieces I've written since last year. I've got a handful I'm happy with, but they all read the same. I mean, for the most part they're all confessional mommy pieces. Squishy Hallmark fuzzy (but not cute or quaint, I hope), but still... . But then, that's the sort that they've accepted of mine the past 2 years, so maybe it's the way to go. The only piece I'm considering that's an exception to that theme is one based on a dream and written in the vein of Denise Duhamel's "Sex with a Famous Poet." Except nowhere near as entertaining. And I'm not entirely sure I'd be ready for having my "Frenching a Famous Pop-Musician" in print. But I'll probably submit it anyhow: if the editors &/or judge thinks it's print worthy, it's time for me to get over it & myself.

I'll be able to pull together a reasonable poetry submission. Nothing, though, that I feel will qualify for a prize, unfortunately. But maybe something worth printing. The tough part comes in with the art entry I wanted to send in. I really have nothing but unimplemented ideas. Which stinks. Especially since I feel like I would have a chance if I'd send something.

Oh well. I'll kick myself if I don't get art together, but between work & clutter, I'm not sure how that can happen.