The Poetry Portal Net

Beyond any reasonable doubt, the colonial times were one of the most fascinating and important in American history. Colonial arts and crafts serve as a creative reminder of this exciting time. Many antique and art enthusiasts enjoy collecting colonial arts and crafts, or at least reproductions of them. If you’re a parent, it’s likely your child has or will bring home some of their own artistic reproductions of creative work done during this historical time period. Whether you’re a serious antiques collector or just want a little something to accent your home, colonial style pieces are a perfect choice.

There are a variety of crafts from which you can choose. Silver smithing, needlepoint, wood carving and glass making are examples of commonly practiced artistic trades during colonial times. Colonial silversmiths created gorgeous vases, bowls, utensils and coins, while wood carvers and furniture makers crafted everything from tables to bed frames to childrens’ toys. Needlepoint and embroidery were feminine pursuits. The women of colonial times created wall hangings, clothing, quilts and more using their talents.

Glassmaking was an important trade in colonial Jamestown. To this day, you can travel to this historic location to see glassmakers recreating the work done by the original colonists. Today, glass is blown into amazingly creative and colorful pieces. Placing a few colorful glass pieces around your home can make quite an impact. In colonial times, glassmakers focused more on practical pieces like window panes, bottles and vials, vases and basic drinking glasses than on objects d’art. These days, glass is often fashioned into items that are not only functional but beautiful as well.

If you’re a parent looking for a creative activity for your child, teach them how to make a colonial craft. Fragrant pomanders are easy to make and were commonly presented as Christmas gifts during colonial times. An orange pomander, for example, is simply an orange with fragrant cloves inserted into the skin in a decorative way and hung on a braided cord. Silhouettes are also an easy-to-do craft that was popular during colonial times. Try checking out an arts and crafts book from the library or bookstore for more ideas. One good title is The Heritage Sampler: A Book of Colonial Arts and Crafts by Cheryl G. Hoople and Richard Cuffari.

Copyright 2008 by M. Attendorn - All Rights Reserved

Misc, Arts + Artisans, History Info | No Comments »

The subject of anger management is a relatively new development in the American culture. Angry people have been around forever, but in today’s world, it’s gotten a bit out of hand. We hear of the so-called road rage, cases of domestic violence and violence in our schools. Psychologists have formulated anger management classes, courses, counseling and support groups to help people manage their anger issues in peaceful and productive ways.

Anger doesn’t usually produce positive results. Here are some anger management tips you can use to reprogram your own behavior and make some changes for the better.

People who are quick to anger usually do not think before they speak. When you feel your anger rising, make a conscious effort to zip your lips and mentally step back. A simple statement like, “Give me a moment, Joe”, keeps you out of trouble while you count to ten and regroup.

Make an analysis, on paper, of the types of situations that get you angry. Someone on the road cuts you off. A co-worker makes a snide remark. Write down realistic alternate responses to anger, actions or statements which you know you can manage. Instead of stepping on the gas or yelling, try turning on the radio or walking away. Think about how proud you’ll be when you don’t give in to anger. Here’s an opportunity for you to make a lengthy list of your own anger management tips that you can call on when you need one.

Review situations in the past where you have become angry, with negative results. This is probably another long list. People don’t respond well to anger, as you well know. Your husband or wife won’t speak to you, your kids get scared and your social life suffers.

Remember that people are individuals, including you. There is no catch-all magic bullet remedy to an angry personality type. So, do review specific instances where you vented inappropriately. Take the time to devise categories of your angry feelings and possible solutions. For example, work went badly yesterday and you came home and took it out on your family. You may well do this often. Try stopping at a flower stand or candy shop and get some goodies for the family. After you’ve presented your gifts, you can tell them about your day. You’ll be shocked at the pampering you’ll get. The most valuable anger management tips are those which serve to reverse the normal angry outcome.

When you’re out in public, be observant of other people who exhibit angry behavior. You need not get involved in order to learn from the experience. Watch these people’s faces and gestures. Listen to their angry voices and observe the results. The odds are good that you’ll conclude the performance is not attractive. This exercise will motivate you.

In the end, your best, most effective anger management tips are of your own making, just like your anger. Go in peace and happiness!

Misc, This & That | No Comments »

Although American dream definitions do vary a little bit from time to time, most people seem to have a pretty good sense of what it means. For more than two centuries now, people have seen the United States as the land of opportunity. Folks from all over the world come here in hopes of making a better lives for themselves and their children. The American dream means that, through hard work, anyone can persevere.

Of course, different people have very different American dreams. For some people, the hope is to get rich quick. America has always been a place with an open attitude towards new inventions and innovations. Many people who come here hope to be the one to come up with the next big thing. Who wouldn’t want to be fabulously wealthy based on a single good idea?

Most American dreams, however, are more conventional. The typical dream Americans have is to one day be financially secure, successful, and respected in their communities. For many people it is enough to have a solid 40 hour a week job that pays the bills, along with a white picket fence, two children, and a loving spouse. Although times have changed quite a bit, the American dream has changed remarkably little.

Once you start looking into the American dream in literature, however, you find out that the issue is a little bit more complicated than it seems on the surface. Superficially, the dream is all about fame and fortune. People in America believe that they really can succeed and overcome all obstacles. They believe that through hard work, they can become wealthy even if they only possess normal skills and few contacts. Although this dream has elevated many people, it has crushed many others. Unrealistic expectations from life are not always a good thing. They can help you to motivate yourself to achieve more, but they can also leave you poorly setup to cope with letdowns and disappointments.

Nonetheless, ultimately I think that the American dream is a pretty redeeming quality. It has its downside, sure, but it also has its upside. It is important to believe in yourself and your own abilities. Even if you won’t necessarily succeed to the degree that you think you will, you still might get further than you would have otherwise. Having positive expectations will help you make the choices you need to succeed and get ahead in life.

Misc | No Comments »

Although American dream definitions do vary a little bit from time to time, most people seem to have a pretty good sense of what it means. For more than two centuries now, people have seen the United States as the land of opportunity. Folks from all over the world come here in hopes of making a better lives for themselves and their children. The American dream means that, through hard work, anyone can persevere.

Of course, different people have very different American dreams. For some people, the hope is to get rich quick. America has always been a place with an open attitude towards new inventions and innovations. Many people who come here hope to be the one to come up with the next big thing. Who wouldn’t want to be fabulously wealthy based on a single good idea?

Most American dreams, however, are more conventional. The typical dream Americans have is to one day be financially secure, successful, and respected in their communities. For many people it is enough to have a solid 40 hour a week job that pays the bills, along with a white picket fence, two children, and a loving spouse. Although times have changed quite a bit, the American dream has changed remarkably little.

Once you start looking into the American dream in literature, however, you find out that the issue is a little bit more complicated than it seems on the surface. Superficially, the dream is all about fame and fortune. People in America believe that they really can succeed and overcome all obstacles. They believe that through hard work, they can become wealthy even if they only possess normal skills and few contacts. Although this dream has elevated many people, it has crushed many others. Unrealistic expectations from life are not always a good thing. They can help you to motivate yourself to achieve more, but they can also leave you poorly setup to cope with letdowns and disappointments.

Nonetheless, ultimately I think that the American dream is a pretty redeeming quality. It has its downside, sure, but it also has its upside. It is important to believe in yourself and your own abilities. Even if you won’t necessarily succeed to the degree that you think you will, you still might get further than you would have otherwise. Having positive expectations will help you make the choices you need to succeed and get ahead in life.

Misc | No Comments »

When I decided to go to drama school, my family thought I was crazy. Although I have done some high school acting, I had never had a serious involvement in any kind of drama program. Acting school is so far beyond my experience that my parents thought that I should really get a little bit more involved in something like community theatre before making such a decision. Nonetheless, I was set on it.

Although I hadn’t told anyone, drama school has been my fantasy for years. You see, I had always wanted to be a star. Most kids, I suppose, at some point want to be a star. They might want to be like their favorite action hero or their favorite rock and roller. For me, it was different. It was all I could think about. It was like an obsession, and dated from my earliest years. I knew that if I wanted to realize the dream, I would have to go to drama school. That was all there was to it.

Of course, dreaming of going to drama school and actually going there are two different things. The audition process was grueling. They say that anyone who has the talent can make it, but it is less about talent than it is about self-confidence. I was lacking, and it showed at first. The first two drama schools that I interviewed with rejected me outright. I tried to be confident about it, but I could tell that I was not making a great impression. Then I pulled it together. I knew that I had to give an outstanding audition, and I did just that. I got in finally! I was overjoyed.

Once I got in to drama school, however, the pressure did not drop off. A lot of people think that acting college is really easy, but it isn’t. You have to remember that, whether you are going for the role of the lead, the best friends, the villain, or what have you, there is always only one part that you want. Drama schools are fiercely competitive places, as they have to be. As an actor, director, or playwright, you have to be a fiercely competitive person. Half of what you learn in drama school is the skill to act, but the other half is the skill to compete. Without both, there is no way that you can succeed in show business.

By: Maxine Attendorn

Misc, Arts + Artisans | No Comments »

When I decided to go to drama school, my family thought I was crazy. Although I have done some high school acting, I had never had a serious involvement in any kind of drama program. Acting school is so far beyond my experience that my parents thought that I should really get a little bit more involved in something like community theatre before making such a decision. Nonetheless, I was set on it.

Although I hadn’t told anyone, drama school has been my fantasy for years. You see, I had always wanted to be a star. Most kids, I suppose, at some point want to be a star. They might want to be like their favorite action hero or their favorite rock and roller. For me, it was different. It was all I could think about. It was like an obsession, and dated from my earliest years. I knew that if I wanted to realize the dream, I would have to go to drama school. That was all there was to it.

Of course, dreaming of going to drama school and actually going there are two different things. The audition process was grueling. They say that anyone who has the talent can make it, but it is less about talent than it is about self-confidence. I was lacking, and it showed at first. The first two drama schools that I interviewed with rejected me outright. I tried to be confident about it, but I could tell that I was not making a great impression. Then I pulled it together. I knew that I had to give an outstanding audition, and I did just that. I got in finally! I was overjoyed.

Once I got in to drama school, however, the pressure did not drop off. A lot of people think that acting college is really easy, but it isn’t. You have to remember that, whether you are going for the role of the lead, the best friends, the villain, or what have you, there is always only one part that you want. Drama schools are fiercely competitive places, as they have to be. As an actor, director, or playwright, you have to be a fiercely competitive person. Half of what you learn in drama school is the skill to act, but the other half is the skill to compete. Without both, there is no way that you can succeed in show business.

By: Maxine Attendorn

Misc, Arts + Artisans | No Comments »

Hello, and cordially welcome to our new blog for contemporary poetry!

Here’s what we plan to offer you:

•  regular postings of entirely unique, original poetry never published elsewhere before
•  poetry by the people, for the people – this is quite literally so: Many of our authors have never written any poetry before in their lives until addressed by us within the context of one of our many offline contests. You’ll find more information about this unique basic concept on our About page.
•  poems that, unlike much of contemporary post-Robert Frost American poetry, don’t focus entirely on metaphors tied to nature images. (Don’t get us wrong: It’s not that we dislike nature related metaphorical language, it’s merely the utter predominance of such work that we are skeptical about. Like most extremes, this calls for some balancing factor in our view.)

What you will not find here:

•  commercial poetry by big name publishers and authors
•  wads of dry poetological theory
•  a nosey know-it-all editor with an interference and control problem, word of honor!

Oh, and by the way: While all of our contributors were gracious enough to give us their bio details, quite a few of them have opted for pen names – so please don’t try to get in touch with them unasked via telephone directories, etc. Rather, do please respect their privacy just like we respect yours.

So feel free to read and comment at your heart’s delight.

However, to address a question that’s been posed many times during our beta run: No, we won’t accept or consider unsolicited submissions. There’s only one conduit we want to leverage in order to present poetry on this site – the one we’ve explained above.

And now – enjoy your browse!

Marc d’Ardennes
&
The Poetry Portal Net Crew

Misc | Comments Off