Think Out Loud ponders "Zine Culture"

With Portland Zine Symposium on the brain, OPB's Think Out Loud radio show recently held a great interview with several folks who contribute to the Rose City's active zine culture. Hosts Emily Harris and David Miller covered all things zine with Alex Wrekk, author of Stolen Sharpie Revolution (and an organizer of the Symposium), Justin Hocking, the executive director of Indpendent Publishing Resource Center and others.

Play or download the episode here:

http://www.opb.org/thinkoutloud/shows/zine-culture/

Spotlighted Literary Events

Date: Thursday, May 28
Interested in self-publishing zines and the like? Concerned about copyright law, contract issues, and other dizzying legal dilemmas? Portland's own Independent Publishing Resource Center is hosting a discussion about Zines and the Law.
When: 7-9pm
Where: 917 SW Oak St. #218 Portland 97205
Cost: Free
Visit www.iprc.org/about , call 503-827-0249, or email info@iprc.org

Date: Thursday, May 28-31
The largest publishing event in North America: BookExpo America (BEA). Whether it's the opening night keynote speech by Steven Tyler (yes, the Aerosmith frontman who apparently moonlights as a writer and conference speaker), the New Title Showcase, the Book and Author breakfasts or any number of other activities, the Expo has a little something for every bibliophile out there.
When: see the website for a detailed schedule
Where: Jacob K. Javits Center, New York City
Cost: the event requires registration, see the website for details
Visit www.bookexpoamerica.com/ for more information, call 1-800-840-561, or email inquiry@bookexpoamerica.com

Date: Friday, May 29
The First Annual Ooligan Press Write to Publish Conference will feature several workshops for writers and publishers, including "The Dos and Don'ts of Self Publishing," "YA: Trends and Audience" and "Marketing Yourself and Your MS."
When: 8:30am - 6pm
Where: Smith Memorial Student Union, 1825 SW Broadway 97201
Cost: Individual session Public $22 Student $12 Full day Public $79 Student $39
Visit http://www.ooliganpress.pdx.edu/oolicon.html for more information.

Spotlighted Literary Events

Date: Monday, January 26
Do you want to put your ideas and creativity into a zine but just don't know where to begin? Sign up for Zines 101 at the Independent Publishing Resource Center, and learn the basics from instructor, zinester Marc Parker. Participants will even make a zine in the class utilizing their new zine knowledge.
Where: IPRC, 917 SW Oak, Portland, OR 97205
When: 7pm-9pm
Cost: $10-20
For more information and to register, visit www.iprc.org or call 503-827-0249

Date: Tuesday, January 27
In the midst of our economic woes, a revised and updated edition of the book Your Money or Your Life has hit the bookshelves. The essence of the book, living with less, is now enhanced with advice on saving money while saving the planet and reconciling the struggle between values and lifestyle, among other topics. Attend the reading at Powell's at Cedar Hills whether you are facing difficult times or are simply looking for a new way to look at money. Coauthor Mark Zaifman will be at the reading.
Where: Powell's at Cedar Hills, 3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd, Beaverton, OR 97005
When: 7pm
For more info, visit www.powells.com or call 503-228-4651

Date: Wednesday, January 28
Stephanie Kallos reads from her new book Sing Them Home at Annie Bloom's Books. Her debut novel, Broken For You, was a national bestseller, and the reviews for the new book are sure to send the author to the top of the list again. Sing Them Home tells the story of three adult siblings struggling to come to terms with their mother's mysterious disappearance, which occurred when they were young. Annie Bloom's Books calls Sing Them Home a story of "heartbreaking lyricism, wisdom, and humor".
Where: Annie Bloom's Books, 7834 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR 97219
When: 7:30pm
For more info, visit www.annieblooms.com or call 503-246-0053

Portland Literary Events

Date: Saturday, September 20
Ink and Paper Group will host a launch party for Alexis Fajardo’s graphic novel Kid Beowulf.
Where: Ink and Paper Group, 1825 SE 7th Avenue, Portland, OR 97214
When: 5:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more info: http://inkandpapergroup.com

Date: Saturday, September 20
Eowyn Wood will read from Naked in the Rain.
Where: In Other Words, 8 NE Killingsworth Street, Portland, OR 97200
When: 4:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more info: http://www.inotherwords.org

Date: Sunday, September 21
Chuck Klosterman will read from Downtown Owl.
Where: Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W Burnside, Portland, OR 97209
When: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more info: http://www.powells.com

Date: Monday, September 22
Irvine Welsh will read from Crime.
Where: Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W Burnside, Portland, OR 97209
When: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more info: http://www.powells.com

Date: Monday, September 22
Join Courtenay Hameister, State by State editor Sean Wilsey, author Daphne Bell, and other special guests for a screening of a 35-minute film about Out of the Book, Volume 3: State by State.
Where: Bagdad Theatre, 3702 SE Hawthorne Blvd., Portland, OR 97214
When: 7:00 p.m.
Cost: $5.00
For more info: (503) 236-9234 or http://www.powells.com

Date: Tuesday, September 23
Judith Barrington will read from her chapbook Lost Lands.
Where: Broadway Books, 1714 NE Broadway, Portland, OR 97232
When: 7:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more info: (503) 284-1726

Date: Tuesday, September 23
Kate Imes, Diane Gilleland, and Mark Russell will talk about building community at the Multnomah County Library’s Zinsters Talking series.
Where: Belmont Branch Library, 1038 SE 39th Avenue, Portland, OR 97214
When: 6:30-7:45 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more info: http://www.multcolib.org

Date: Wednesday, September 24
Michelle Sewell will read from Just Like a Girl: A Manifesta!
Where: In Other Words, 8 NE Killingsworth Street, Portland, OR 97200
When: 6:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more info: http://www.inotherwords.org

Date: Wednesday, September 24
William Claassen will read from Another World: A Retreat in the Ozarks.
Where: Annie Bloom’s Books, 7834 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR 97219
When: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more info: http://www.annieblooms.com

Date: Thursday, September 25
Donna Love will read from Tell Me a Story.
Where: In Other Words, 8 NE Killingsworth Street, Portland, OR 97200
When: 6:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more info: http://www.inotherwords.org

Date: Thursday, September 25
Steve Reifenberg will read from Santiago’s Children.
Where: Powell’s Books on Hawthorne, 3723 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214
When: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more info: http://www.powells.com

Date: Friday, September 26
John Elder Robinson will read from Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger’s.
Where: Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W Burnside, Portland, OR 97209
When: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more info: http://www.powells.com

Ergonomics and You

I will be the first to admit it: I do not sit up straight. Not only do I have a general hunching problem, but I have noticed it is particularly fatal when I happen to be sitting at my desk, staring at a computer screen and editing like a madwoman. If I had a nickel for every time I caught myself slouching at my desk...well, I think you know how the rest of this goes.

The good news is I have stumbled across some amazing ergonomic tips that can and have saved a wretch like me from the early onset of osteoporosis. Compiled by my fellow library coworker Christopher Cuttone in his zine, Ergonomics & You, these tips are killer, but not on your body. While the zine is specific to library ergonomics, anyone who works at a desk for long periods of time will benefit from this wealth of knowledge.

Here a few of my favorites:

Adjusting your workstation. Most of the time you can't adjust the height of your work surface, so adjust what you can.

1. Display Monitor. Position directly in front of you at a minimum of 16 inches. The upper line of characters on the display should be at approximately eye level (or lower for bi-focal wearers).

2. Mouse/Digitizer. Position the tool so the upper arm can be close to the body while maintaining a straight line between the hand and forearm. Most importantly, get that wrist off the table when using the mouse!

3. Keyboard. Maintain the hands in a reasonably straight line with the forearms. A keyboard fitted with a wrist rest supports the wrists.

4. Chair. Adjust the components of the chair to fit the body. Adjust the chair height to allow the upper arm and forearm to form a right angle (or greater) while resting the hands on the keyboard. Don't forget to adjust the back and the angle as well.

5. Footrest. A footrest is helpful for reducing stress to the back of the legs.

It's also important to make sure you're sitting up straight (I should know this better than anyone!) Even with your keyboard at the right height and your arms at the right angle, you might still be hunching your shoulders. Many people store stress and tension in their shoulders, which is why it's important to take breaks during the day to stretch, take deep breaths, and relax the muscles in your body.

This last tip also applies to your eyes. That's right, your eyes! Staring at a computer screen all day can seriously affect your vision. That's why it's important to remember 20/20/20: Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This reminds our eyes that they have other jobs to do besides staring at the manuscript a foot in front of them for grammatical errors.

When your workstation is set up in a way that is ergonomically correct, not only will your body thank you in the long run, but just think how more productive you will be!

Portland Literary Events

Date: Saturday, August 23, 2008
Jill Malone will read from Red Audrey and the Roping.
Were: In Other Words, 8 NE Killingsworth St., Portland, OR 97211
When: 4:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more info: http://www.inotherwords.org

Date: Saturday & Sunday, August 23 & 24
Check out the best indie press gathering in the country at the 8th Annual Portland Zine Symposium.
Where: Portland State University, Smith Memorial Ballroom
When: Saturday, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. & Sunday, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more info: http://pdxzines.com

Date: Saturday, August 23-Sunday, August 31
Admire a showcase of self-portraits by lady comic artists.
Where: Reading Frenzy, 921 SW Oak Street, Portland, OR 97205
When: Business hours
Cost: Free
For more info: http://www.readingfrenzy.com

Date: Sunday, August 24
Embrace your inner performer and read a play aloud at local coffee shop. All plays are by local authors. Performances are every other Sunday.
Where: Three Friends Coffee House, 302 SE 12th Ave., Portland, OR 97205
When: 6:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more info: (503) 236-6411

Date: Monday, August 25
Laura O. Foster will lead Marketing Your Manuscript, a workshop presented by the Oregon Writers Colony. Laura is the author of Portland Hill Walks.
Where: Lookinglass Bookstore, 7983 SE 13th Ave., Portland, OR 97202
When: 7:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more info: http://lookingglassbook.com or http://www.oregonwriterscolony.org

Date: Monday, August 25
Alafair Burke will read from Angel’s Tip.
Where: Powell's City of Books, 1005 W Burnside St., 97209
When: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more info: http://www.powells.com

Date: Tuesday, August 26
Janice Marschner presents Oregon 1859: A Snapshot in Time.
Where: Annie Blooms, 7834 SW Capital Hwy., Portland, OR 97219
When: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more info: http://www.annieblooms.com

Date: Tuesday, August 26
Frank B. Wilderson will read from Incognegro.
Where: Powell's City of Books, 1005 W Burnside St. 97209
When: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more info: http://www.powells.com

Date: Thursday, August 28
Michael Phillips will read from The Undercover Philosopher.
Where: Annie Blooms, 7834 SW Capital Hwy., Portland, OR 97219
When: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more info: http://www.annieblooms.com

Date: Thursday, August 28
Daniel H. Wilson and Anna C. Long will read from The Mad Scientist Hall of Fame.
Where: Powell's City of Books, 1005 W Burnside, Portland, OR 97209
When: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more info: http://www.powells.com

Date: Thursday August 28
Shannon Wheeler will read from Postage Stamp Funnies.
Where: Powell's Books on Hawthorne, 3723 SE Hawthorne Blvd., Portland, OR 97214
When: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more info: http://www.powells.com