Amanda James Daily

Sometimes when I’m really doubting people and I feel depressed to conclude that there are only certain types and categories of people, I start to think that there’s a lack of genuine intention out there.  Then I realize I’ve just closed my shutter lens.

In photography, a shutter is a device that allows light to pass for a determined period of time, for the purpose of exposing photographic film or a light-sensitive electronic sensor to light to capture a permanent image of a scene.

When I open myself up to the unique possibilities of personalities that are impossible to categorize by any stretch of an empirical method, I find articles like this one. (A NYTimes article about people who are so particular about “type,” as in font type, that their vacations can be ruined when they see signs with “typographical gaffes”).  As if I’m opening my camera lens to allow more light to shine through, the refreshing feeling I get from hearing about these bizarre hobbies brightens my outlook and gives me a much more positive picture of what it means to live a life.

Another recent reminder of people’s unique hobbies was the  antiquarian book fair I went to over the weekend at Hynes Convention Center. A first edition copy of Mrs. Dalloway signed by Virginia Woolf.  An “unopened” copy of Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote.  A letter to his publisher, handwritten and signed by Mark Twain.  (Each was more than $500.)  Talk about a treasure trove of words.

It was the most luxurious library I’d ever been in.  Despite the fact that I was one of the few people under 50 years old, I loved being in a cultural haven for quirky collectors.

And that’s when I feel most happy– when I remember that I know that it is perfectly acceptable to not be a “type.” And some other people know that too.

Typewriter Tip,Tip, Tipy mp3 by Asha Bhosle & Kisore Kumar

Keeping up with the trends hasn’t been very hard the past couple of seasons, what with punk studs piercing their prongs in everything from the runway at Chanel to $5 tanks at Forever 21.  And it’s pretty clear by now that bangs are back, and British blonde/white hair is lightening up the dark mood of winter.  But one thing I’m pretty surprised to see becoming a trend is community service.

Giving back is the new black?  Following Entertainment Industry Foundation Week, when all of the major television networks featured their stars doing an act of service, Gap Inc. is now the one bringing service in style.

Working with ServiceNation.org, both EIF week and Gap, Inc. are shining a spotlight on service.

From Nov. 12-15, you can get a 30% discount at Gap and all  of its constituent stores, and they’ll give a portion of the proceeds to support a non-profit.

Although I’ve always believed that if you give into trends it means you’re not creative enough to come up with your own style, this is a trend I feel proud to support.  And I hope it’s a trend that lasts, unlike hareem trousers…

For the first time in 341 years, England awarded the post of national poet laureate to a woman: Carol Ann Duffy.  Her accessible poems are much more assertive than those of previous poet laureates, including William Wordsworth and Alfred Lord Tennyson.  And after centuries of trying to prove that Shakespeare was a homosexual, we don’t have to guess about Carol Ann Duffy’s sexuality.  She is the first openly gay poet laureate in England. Did Obama make this change possible, too? Then again, the U.S. has had an openly gay poet laureate since 2008:  Kay Ryan.  So apparently it didn’t take a black president to make everyone realize that women could write.  As the monarchy has decreased in its political role and has evolved into a shining symbol of tradition, Carol Ann Duffy is also modernizing the role of the poet laureate.  She says she doesn’t feel pressured to provide a piece of poetry for every royal occasion, but if one comes up that provokes or inspires her to write, she’d contribute.  (Way to make the queen work for it, Carol Ann Duffy.)

Here’s my favorite poem by her:

Valentine by Carol Ann Duffy

Not a red rose or a satin heart.

I give you an onion.
It is a moon wrapped in brown paper.
It promises light
like the careful undressing of love.

Here.
It will blind you with tears
like a lover.
It will make your reflection
a wobbling photo of grief.

I am trying to be truthful.

Not a cute card or a kissogram.

I give you an onion.
Its fierce kiss will stay on your lips,
possessive and faithful
as we are,
for as long as we are.

Take it.
Its platinum loops shrink to a wedding-ring,
if you like.

Lethal.
Its scent will cling to your fingers,
cling to your knife.

Still need convincing of women’s ability to write? Check out the poem “Mirage Oases” by our own poet laureate Kay Ryan.  Imagine the wedding vows if these two poet laureates were to get married.

Also, check out the song American Dream by Rapper Steph: lesbian poet laureate at Boston University?  She’s a tiny girl with a powerful voice and political lyrics and she’s on Base Trip Records.