WRITING | 10•24•07
The Writers' Dojo

There was this idea to create a Writers' Room in Portland. (If you don't know what that is, perhaps you are not a writer. Or, perhaps you are not a writer who has left Oregon. Alas, we do not have one.) It's a major undertaking, this creating of a worldclass facility and encouraging a community to enjoy its splendor. So while that project is underway, we decided to start with something slightly more digestible. Something smaller, more exclusive, for serious writers. Soon my brother and budo teacher, Michael, offered to convert the yoga studio beside his martial arts school. And so it was, that Writers' Dojo was born. Now we have a Web presence to match. The Portland Writers' Room blog has officially morphed into a full-sized Web presence. We have launched WritersDojo.org complete with podcast download of literary rockstars, thanks to the generosity and genius that is Rex Post, along with other fun-filled Web tech that is made possible with In The Loft Studios.

 

BLOGGING | 9•21•07
What We Will Become

Shortly, your myJeff will ungergo a facelift. We'll be updating with less sarcasm and more content connected to the literary scene around Portland. In this section, we'll be offering an experience with all the blogging trim. Until then, this page will be something like an interactive journal. But if you just must have your blog fix, may we suggest this one, this one, this one, this one, this one, this one, this one, or this one.

 

FREEDOM | 9•14•07
Jeffrey Independence Day

Today we celebrate Jeffrey Independence Day. I am FREE, emancipated from the office life and culture. I am officially a fulltime FREElance creative writer. It's good to be back.

 

FAMILY | 6 •9•07
Madeline Bayla Selin


Dear World,

This is Madeline. (And this. And this.) She was brought to you by the makers of Love, at 3:48am. She was 8lbs and 6oz, 20.5 inches. We are so very blessed. World, please be kind to her. We think she deserves it.

Sincerely,

New Parents

 

DOJO | 2002 • NOW
Our New Relationship to Gravity

From a few feet in Mike's garage to our amazing St. Johns dojo. Oh, how we've grown. Aikido changed my relationship to gravity. We've also learned the secret to community development. I'll share it with you. Just drop by anytime to join us on the mat.

 

FAMILY | 8•1•04
Rachel Is a Selin

We got hitched on a cherry farm in The Gorge. The party was in the barn. What a day. I'm in love. We'll keep our Web site posted as a souvenir.

 

HIKING | 7 •24•02
Chasing Away Black Bears

Today we finished our 412th mile of Yosemite's 800-miles of back country trails. New York Jewish Rachel has transformed into Goddess Backpacker Jewish Rachel. If we can live in a tiny tent together for nearly three months... I'll probably marry her. (But not yet. I'll wait until we're living together for too long and she starts getting angry and her friends and family think I'm an ass for waiting. Yes, that sounds like a good plan.)

 

THE CITY | 9•18•01
New York, New York. I love.

Check the date. Then decide. Here's the essay.

 

MAUI | 6•10•00
Ees Da Kine Brah

This is the last photo I snapped right before I left Maui. Talk about a sign. Someone remind me why I'm leaving this place again. Oh, yeah. Since I stopped writing water sports marketing brochures, the money is tight. And now I'm a beach bum in search of the party. Oh, but what a year! I was so uptight, from that Mainland cultural tendency of being uptight. One year in Hawaii: that's the cure-all. Maui will always feel like home. But now I'm off to New York City. Hey, maybe I'll meet my future wife. Or at least a literary agent.

 

ARCHIVES | 1972 • 1999
The Deleted Entries

AT Thru-Hiking • SE Asia in Bootlaces • Volunteer EMT • Rutgers College • US Travels • 10,000 Student Jobs • The Sibling Wars • Pre-Tylenol-Scare Freedom and The Halloween of Yore

 

BIRTH | 5•28•71
Where to Begin?

Hey G,

Did St. M. Monroe ask about me? I was supposed to meet her today for a little cloud nine action. (You might as well go for her. Looks like I'll be about 90 years. Give her the fermented Ambrosia. That works every time.)

So, okay, I deserve the birth punishment. I need to lay off of St. Marley's Sweet Heavenly Homegrown. Ugh, I must have been stoned. G, how do I get myself into these things? Well St. M. Monroe, if you're seeing this, I don't expect you to wait for my return, but maybe you could consider it? s

Awaiting your reply, G. The regular dream channel is fine. I'm not asking for a special appearance or anything.

Ga ga to you, too,

- jeffrey