Just wanted to say a few kind words about the current Philadelphia Fringe Festival. My new buddy Amy and I went to some events Sunday afternoon and we had a blast. We saw a side-show freak, a modern dance performance and a Lost Film Festival. Definitely cool times. It's a friggin' shame that there isn't such good entertainment all the time.

I was in the 2001 Fringe Festival a friend Shelley. We each did a half hour spoken word performance and we had a good time, but there was so much work involved that neither of us were interested in doing it again.

But now that I've been only a spectator, I think I'll apply for the 2003 Festival. I have music and video editing capabilities on my computer; that and my winning smile could make a great show for next year.

I've been speaking to some of my fellow adjunct professors who've taught writing workshops. I think that if I politic enough I might teach a workshop or two next semester. I know that I would love teaching the workshop, I hope that I wouldn't screw it up.

My best experience with workshops was with Clarion, but my worst were in academic scenarios. I know that other Clarionites who took college writing workshops have had similar negative experiences. Can I avoid that? How to be critical without being detrimental?

WELCOME TO THE EMPIRE OF THE SENSELESS