I sent my boss the link to what I thought was a relevant blog as it connects to our job of Civic Engagement. She was very intrigued and interested in the potential benefits of blogging. Of course this led to a discussion of the Styles and Ways class and the blogging that we are learning to do. She now wants to investigate the possibility of "us" doing a blog for service-learning. I have no doubt that she'd be willing to write posts on occasion, but I'd be the editor, handling the nuts and bolts of the thing. She thinks getting students to guest author posts where they can talk about their experiences performing service-learning and the ways it's changed them is worth looking into. I can't help but wonder if I know enough to begin something this ambitious and if I want to. But to be a team player means saying things like “let’s give it a shot” even when you aren’t sure about the idea. Her only questions were how would people find the blog and would they read it. She hit the big questions early on. Gotta love it when the lines between school and work get all blurry. Any suggestions from the S&W gallery about this entire issue?
So to blog for work or not to blog for work, that is the question, whether tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of incipient lunacy, or to take arms against an I before E but not after C, and by opposing them rewrite, revise no more, and by deleting to say yes lets end the heart-ache.
May the good bard forgive my un-poetic license.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Hitting the wall.
The semester is slowly dwindling down, along with my creativity.
As the semester comes to a close I find myself hitting a wall in terms of what to post on my blog.
One of the problems is that I want each post to be astounding but usually it comes out the same hackneyed way as the one before it...and that is my cue to reach for some inspirational writing book with advice such as: "Let the whole thing flower: the story and the person writing the story. And let us always be kind in this world."
And then I laugh at the fact that I own so many of these cheesy books.
And then I write my post.
As the semester comes to a close I find myself hitting a wall in terms of what to post on my blog.
One of the problems is that I want each post to be astounding but usually it comes out the same hackneyed way as the one before it...and that is my cue to reach for some inspirational writing book with advice such as: "Let the whole thing flower: the story and the person writing the story. And let us always be kind in this world."
And then I laugh at the fact that I own so many of these cheesy books.
And then I write my post.
In the groove
Recently I have added the bravenet hit counter onto my blog site. And I have noticed a trend with my visitors. Since I have been posting Mon-Thurs most of my visitors come to my pages on those days. I have absoultely little to no activity going on throughout the weekend. People are finally starting to get my schedule down. They know I don't post Fri-Sun so they know not to check my page on those days.
The unfortunate thing is that on Thursday I didn't bother to post because, I'll admit it, I didn't feel like it. It's unfortunate because that's when I had the most visits to my page. Ah! I'm an idiot for not posting. I hope they will return to my page today and see my new post on an eco-friendly baseball stadium!
The unfortunate thing is that on Thursday I didn't bother to post because, I'll admit it, I didn't feel like it. It's unfortunate because that's when I had the most visits to my page. Ah! I'm an idiot for not posting. I hope they will return to my page today and see my new post on an eco-friendly baseball stadium!
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Finally FREE!
For many years I forgot how to ride a bike was. Yesterday, I was ready to buy a brand new Mustang. I don't know why my husband was obsessed with the fact that he wanted to buy that car for me. Of course I liked the car, but I didn't need it! Here was my "epiphany" and I understood what I needed: a bicycle or a pair of roller skates... to fly like a bird. So I decided to spend only a few hundred dollars instead of a few thousans dollar, and IT WORKED! I rode my new bike for a couple hours today and I loved it! Only one problem... my bottom now hurts so bad!!!!
A Day Off From Paradise
A day off from class is a day off from paradise, but definitely needed. Although I enjoy this class, it is so nice that we have April 1st off. We are getting nearer to the end and I have about a million and one things to do. Thank you so much for this one little day, it will allow me to catch up on some last minute work that will soon be due in some of my other classes…and not to mention all the work that is going to be due in this class as well. I think that this semester has zoomed right by and I’m not so sure where the time went? I know that a lot of us have not had time for anything, but in three more weeks we will have nothing but time. So, this one day we have off to do as we please, is a day that I will utilize to its fullest and try to get some work done.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Stop Yelling at Me
I volunteer at a park in order to get community service hours. Today, an irate lady came in demanding that we halt the construction of our rock wall. The rock wall is being put up in an effort to thwart people from coming into our park from areas other than the entrance. The current problem is that people are walking there dogs on the park grounds. Now this would be fine if they would clean up the dog poop and we were a park that allowed dogs. However, the grounds are poo laden and no, dogs are not permitted.
The lady said that as a tax-payer she should have direct access to the park, and should not have to use the entrance. After the park manager explained that he was also a taxpayer, and also had to use the entrance, the lady changed her argument. She said that in Central Park, property bordering the park has direct access to the park’s grounds. Now, I am no expert on the districts surrounding New York’s famous park, but I am aware that quite a few muggings take place in central park.
If said lady is drawing a comparison between central park and our park, wouldn’t it then be fair to presume she would also welcome muggers?
This reason was many of the faulted arguments the lady presented in an overtly crass manner.
What strikes me most about this lady is the rude manner she addressed those who were trying to hear her concerns (even threatening lawsuits at one point). Yes, I understand she is frustrated but really, why do people like this lady think that being ignorant and demeaning will further their cause(s)?
Reminder: When ranting, use courtesy, and caution of analogy.
The lady said that as a tax-payer she should have direct access to the park, and should not have to use the entrance. After the park manager explained that he was also a taxpayer, and also had to use the entrance, the lady changed her argument. She said that in Central Park, property bordering the park has direct access to the park’s grounds. Now, I am no expert on the districts surrounding New York’s famous park, but I am aware that quite a few muggings take place in central park.
If said lady is drawing a comparison between central park and our park, wouldn’t it then be fair to presume she would also welcome muggers?
This reason was many of the faulted arguments the lady presented in an overtly crass manner.
What strikes me most about this lady is the rude manner she addressed those who were trying to hear her concerns (even threatening lawsuits at one point). Yes, I understand she is frustrated but really, why do people like this lady think that being ignorant and demeaning will further their cause(s)?
Reminder: When ranting, use courtesy, and caution of analogy.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Poetry and Blogging
Better Than The Rest
They are heading into the gyms
dressed in expensive designer clothing that assures them
this workout will be better than the last.
Somewhere a hand is cutting-parsnips-broccoli and carrots.
A soft rock song plays in the distance.
It is a good day to be the co-owner of both a gym and a juice bar.
The above was nonsense I wrote from our exercise flashblog. It came out like that, and at the time I had no idea why, but now I realize that I wrote it that way to get a different angle or way of thinking about the the topic.
I'm not posting because I think the above "poem" is good. It's not. It's completely ridiculous. But if you are like me and find yourself approaching every flashblog the same way you might want to try something like this.
They are heading into the gyms
dressed in expensive designer clothing that assures them
this workout will be better than the last.
Somewhere a hand is cutting-parsnips-broccoli and carrots.
A soft rock song plays in the distance.
It is a good day to be the co-owner of both a gym and a juice bar.
The above was nonsense I wrote from our exercise flashblog. It came out like that, and at the time I had no idea why, but now I realize that I wrote it that way to get a different angle or way of thinking about the the topic.
I'm not posting because I think the above "poem" is good. It's not. It's completely ridiculous. But if you are like me and find yourself approaching every flashblog the same way you might want to try something like this.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Another J
Thanks to Patrick for his recent post "Probably, this is stupid." Its J-words, "jugulating" and "jejune" are now firmy situated in my vocab. As I read the post, I couldn't help but notice how neatly similar they were - both esoteric, both adjectives, both J-words. They seemed like perfect thesaurus words, "jejune" subsituting for "boring" and "jugulating" indicating a few minutes spent browsing the other J's. Thanks for the words...
potatoes and flash blogging.
My flash blogs always get me on random tangents. This time, the topic of "exercise" lead to potatoes.
My father is a personal trainer. We have a gym in my house. You can find him there at least twice a day, every day, unless he is sick.
My father, mother, and I used to sit down to dinner every night when I still lived at home.
Dinner is served. Cue Dad’s rant. “Protein first, ladies, protein first. Don’t get full on carbohydrates. Don’t drink your soda too fast and get full on liquids. Protein first.”
So I would have to eat the meat before the potatoes. Or whatever it was that night.
When he decided to throw in his two cents about the order I should eat my food, all it would do was start an argument.
I love you Dad, but I will eat the potatoes first if I want to eat the potatoes first.
My father is a personal trainer. We have a gym in my house. You can find him there at least twice a day, every day, unless he is sick.
My father, mother, and I used to sit down to dinner every night when I still lived at home.
Dinner is served. Cue Dad’s rant. “Protein first, ladies, protein first. Don’t get full on carbohydrates. Don’t drink your soda too fast and get full on liquids. Protein first.”
So I would have to eat the meat before the potatoes. Or whatever it was that night.
When he decided to throw in his two cents about the order I should eat my food, all it would do was start an argument.
I love you Dad, but I will eat the potatoes first if I want to eat the potatoes first.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
The Experience of Live Blogging
Personally, I didn't like live blogging. I felt like I was an elf attempting to build toys, but in this case I was building a post. The steps to building my post consist of:
I can't say I learned anything more about my topic because I am the Dabbling Native and I basically can talk about anything Florida. I did learn that live blogging is not for me because it does not allow me time to think about my readers and what they might like to read.
Overall, live blogging was an experience. If I do continue with my blog, I can bet I will rarely live blog unless it is needed to better engage my readers.
- Finding one plus two and three events just in case.
- Calling to make sure there will be wireless.
- Not being familiar with the place, spend time getting directions and finding the room.
- Once inside, make sure there is a power outlet.
- Start typing, but keep up with what the person is saying.
- Continue typing then post.
- And etc. until I complete the post.
I can't say I learned anything more about my topic because I am the Dabbling Native and I basically can talk about anything Florida. I did learn that live blogging is not for me because it does not allow me time to think about my readers and what they might like to read.
Overall, live blogging was an experience. If I do continue with my blog, I can bet I will rarely live blog unless it is needed to better engage my readers.
...and still if Live Blog
I sympathize with everyone about the problems and issues of Live Blogging. Certainly was not what I thought it would be and it was no easy task to accomplish. You pick a place to live blog, you find out if the place is wired for internet access, free or otherwise, you then drag laptop with you to the appointed time and place, where you basically play voyeur or clandestine eavesdropper to your neighbors.
Not being a person that gets out much during the semester, finding a comfortable and fun place to live blog was top on my list. I tried two separate restaurants. Have you noticed how small tables are these days? Or maybe it’s the amount of stuff that's placed on the table before a patron even sits down; assorted condiments, drink menus, candles, paper-towel dispensers. It’s difficult to fit a laptop, a beer, a glass of water and an order of hot garlic wings on an already crowded table.
How lucky was I to get the two chattiest waiters in the world at those restaurants. After an exhaustive explanation at the first establishment I kept my explanation monosyllabic at the next one.
You would think after all my efforts something good would have happened for me to really talk about in my live blog. No fights between wait-staff. No dropped dinner orders. Not one obnoxious and screaming kid in either place. I could have stayed home and had salad.
My live blog finally came out of an unlikely chore. I had to take my dog to the groomer. I called for an appointment and just out of habit brought my laptop and notebook with me.
Not being a person that gets out much during the semester, finding a comfortable and fun place to live blog was top on my list. I tried two separate restaurants. Have you noticed how small tables are these days? Or maybe it’s the amount of stuff that's placed on the table before a patron even sits down; assorted condiments, drink menus, candles, paper-towel dispensers. It’s difficult to fit a laptop, a beer, a glass of water and an order of hot garlic wings on an already crowded table.
How lucky was I to get the two chattiest waiters in the world at those restaurants. After an exhaustive explanation at the first establishment I kept my explanation monosyllabic at the next one.
You would think after all my efforts something good would have happened for me to really talk about in my live blog. No fights between wait-staff. No dropped dinner orders. Not one obnoxious and screaming kid in either place. I could have stayed home and had salad.
My live blog finally came out of an unlikely chore. I had to take my dog to the groomer. I called for an appointment and just out of habit brought my laptop and notebook with me.
Monday, March 24, 2008
The Impossibility of Live Blogging
When I first decided to live blog a show I thought it would be easy. I thought I had a leg up on everyone else in the class. I was wrong.
When I arrived at the show I somehow thought I wouldn't be bothered by people. I pictured sitting in a well preserved spot in icy solitude scribbling away laughing at my insightful observations.
What actually happened was everyone kept talking to me and vice versa. Then in the club I couldn't see a thing much less find a place to write calmly without getting bumped into.
Another problem I ran into is describing the sound of the band playing or trying to make what is happening interesting without sounding like a sports caster:
The band is taking the stage, and wouldn't you know it they have stringed instruments! A woman is lifting what appears to be a silver trumpet into the air, blowing into it, and...yes..definitely, a sound is coming from it! Not the normal trumpet sound of a foxhunt, but something else. Something new and distinctly American.
Everyone knows what an instrument sounds like. Everyone knows what a crowd looks like and what crowds do at concerts. I even scanned the crowd hoping for someone doing a particularly stupid dance that I could make fun of or write about, but nothing.
The lesson I learned is I should have Live Blogged something else.
When I arrived at the show I somehow thought I wouldn't be bothered by people. I pictured sitting in a well preserved spot in icy solitude scribbling away laughing at my insightful observations.
What actually happened was everyone kept talking to me and vice versa. Then in the club I couldn't see a thing much less find a place to write calmly without getting bumped into.
Another problem I ran into is describing the sound of the band playing or trying to make what is happening interesting without sounding like a sports caster:
The band is taking the stage, and wouldn't you know it they have stringed instruments! A woman is lifting what appears to be a silver trumpet into the air, blowing into it, and...yes..definitely, a sound is coming from it! Not the normal trumpet sound of a foxhunt, but something else. Something new and distinctly American.
Everyone knows what an instrument sounds like. Everyone knows what a crowd looks like and what crowds do at concerts. I even scanned the crowd hoping for someone doing a particularly stupid dance that I could make fun of or write about, but nothing.
The lesson I learned is I should have Live Blogged something else.
Probably, this is stupid.
I was talking with some friends the other day about blogs and the words "Fear Blog" came up. Then my friends and I began discussing what would actually go into this blog of fear.
Would it be someone collecting random posts of people's fears?
Or would it be someone logging in randomly posting their own personal fears?
It could go one of two ways really...
The absolutely horrified:
12:45 am: Oh endless jugulating doom!
Or any fear at all ranging from the jejune to insane:
1:35 pm: Today I woke up in fear again. I rose, showered, and ate toast but still, he evades me. God, where are you?
I wonder if the internet has such a thing as a fear blog that has some type of moderator where random people post their fears. Could make for interesting reading.
Would it be someone collecting random posts of people's fears?
Or would it be someone logging in randomly posting their own personal fears?
It could go one of two ways really...
The absolutely horrified:
12:45 am: Oh endless jugulating doom!
Or any fear at all ranging from the jejune to insane:
1:35 pm: Today I woke up in fear again. I rose, showered, and ate toast but still, he evades me. God, where are you?
I wonder if the internet has such a thing as a fear blog that has some type of moderator where random people post their fears. Could make for interesting reading.
Better late then never
I know that we're all supposed to be completed or close to completed with our live blog, but for those that haven't yet finished, here is a nifty tool.
http://www.coveritlive.com/
If you go there and sign up, it allows you to do use a program created for live-blogging. You can update in real-time while also receiving comments from whoever is watching. Ten times easier than re-editing the same post over and over again.
The fact that it can be done in real-time is a very useful tool. Enjoy.
http://www.coveritlive.com/
If you go there and sign up, it allows you to do use a program created for live-blogging. You can update in real-time while also receiving comments from whoever is watching. Ten times easier than re-editing the same post over and over again.
The fact that it can be done in real-time is a very useful tool. Enjoy.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Live Blogging
This was not as easy as I thought it would be. First of all, blogging at a restaurant is weird. Second, it is tough to eat… blog, listen… blog, talk to the server… blog, and etc… I think that the live blogging thing isn’t so much for me, but it was a new venture that I will never for get. I was very nervous I wouldn’t have anything to live blog about, especially since the place was rained out. I just went ahead and kept with it and a story soon unraveled. I found that I was typing and didn’t have anytime to really talk to my husband or server and I had to hurry up and eat because I didn’t want to miss a thing. I sort of felt like a reporter on duty, so I had to be aware of my surroundings and concentrate on that big story. It wasn’t as an enjoyable evening as I thought it would be because I was working. However, after I was done I felt as though I had accomplished something and I did, but I looked like a big dork typing away in the middle of a restaurant.
Oh well...
Oh well...
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Holiday Laziness
For some reason, one week before and one week after any holiday I feel lazy. It seems as if everything around me is telling me to do nothing. Everything includes the family visiting, the food and many businesses being closed.
Therefore, throughout my years of college I have came up with steps to help me make it through the three weeks of holiday laziness. One step includes doing some homework ahead of time. For example, for blogging class, I did a couple of posts because I know once the week begins I will be lazy from Easter Sunday. Another step includes waking up early the day before a holiday and spending a few hours just doing homework and not allowing anything to stop me from completing my work. One last step is making a To Do list. With a list I know what I have to accomplish and once I finish the list, I feel accomplished.
I don’t think I will ever get over holiday laziness. All I can do are things I know that will allow me to not be lazy when I need to be working. If any of you feel holiday laziness, how do you get over it?
Therefore, throughout my years of college I have came up with steps to help me make it through the three weeks of holiday laziness. One step includes doing some homework ahead of time. For example, for blogging class, I did a couple of posts because I know once the week begins I will be lazy from Easter Sunday. Another step includes waking up early the day before a holiday and spending a few hours just doing homework and not allowing anything to stop me from completing my work. One last step is making a To Do list. With a list I know what I have to accomplish and once I finish the list, I feel accomplished.
I don’t think I will ever get over holiday laziness. All I can do are things I know that will allow me to not be lazy when I need to be working. If any of you feel holiday laziness, how do you get over it?
live blogging, family edition.
I have a huge Italian family. No family function would be complete without my fifteen cousins crazy antics or my uncle's boisterous commentary on absolutely anything. Someone almost always gets mad or starts crying. There is always too much food. So while I spent time trying to decide what event I could live blog, I got a call from my mom telling me the plans for Easter Sunday's family events. This year, two of my sorority sisters are coming along. This got me thinking about how ridiculous a family function would seem from the outside looking in.
When I hung up with my mom, I looked at the list I had conjured up of ideas for my live blog post. Nothing seemed as interesting as my family function. So there you have it. I will be live blogging Easter 2008.
When I hung up with my mom, I looked at the list I had conjured up of ideas for my live blog post. Nothing seemed as interesting as my family function. So there you have it. I will be live blogging Easter 2008.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Maybe I Need the Word Limit
Since the lifting of the word limit I have felt way less stressed about blogging. Prior to the removal, I dreaded posting. Not because I didn’t have anything to say, but because I had too much to say. Well, at least, that’s what I thought. I’ve come to realize that when I write 400 words, that approximately 120 of them are basically pointless. They’re simply superfluous little tidbits that make my writing sound better, or more intelligent (please, let me be in denial). It is increasingly hard for me to go through my work and chop out adverbs that make my words flow like poetry. I’m unsure about the rest of the class, but striking through eloquent bits of prose pains me and I don’t want to do it! Isn’t there some sort of happy medium, some sort of balance in which I can exist between wordiness and brevity? I know concision doesn’t necessarily mean short…but ugh…I feel plagued.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
OT: The Eco-Grump Returns
Disclaimer: This post contains inconvenient truths that may trouble those who consider themselves "green freaks," "greenies," part of the "green regime," or those in the process of "going green." Read at your own risk.
I apologize if you all think the old Eco-Grump is beating a dead horse, but Mr. Ed is looking livelier by the minute. The green movement continues to make a mockery of itself, as more and more studies are released that reveal eco-friendly practices to be more costly, detrimental, and downright unsustainable than their obsolescent and widely-shunned predecessors. First we learned that biofuel harvesting releases more carbon than traditional fossil fuel combustion. Then we saw an aquatic ecosystem decimated by a biodiesel processing plant.
An NBC story aired tonight that revealed compact fluorescent light bulbs (those curly ones) contain small amounts of mercury and, if broken, can require a $2,000 toxic waste removal procedure in order to purify the area. The bulb manufacturers, who capitalized on the burgeoning "green" market after Gore's documentary skyrocketed, stand by the bulbs' eco-amity. They also recommend you follow an 11-step toxic waste disposal plan so as not to destroy the earth with massive mercury deposits after they burn out.
It's important to remember that the available eco-friendly products, although catering to a more liberal consumer, are the products of capitalism. The companies we venerate for supporting the movement are merely profiteers, and we are helping to make them rich while they do more harm than good. A green label with a cute picture of a smiling Earth doesn't say anything but "buy me!" Think twice before you give in, and for God's sake, don't drop that light bulb!
I apologize if you all think the old Eco-Grump is beating a dead horse, but Mr. Ed is looking livelier by the minute. The green movement continues to make a mockery of itself, as more and more studies are released that reveal eco-friendly practices to be more costly, detrimental, and downright unsustainable than their obsolescent and widely-shunned predecessors. First we learned that biofuel harvesting releases more carbon than traditional fossil fuel combustion. Then we saw an aquatic ecosystem decimated by a biodiesel processing plant.
An NBC story aired tonight that revealed compact fluorescent light bulbs (those curly ones) contain small amounts of mercury and, if broken, can require a $2,000 toxic waste removal procedure in order to purify the area. The bulb manufacturers, who capitalized on the burgeoning "green" market after Gore's documentary skyrocketed, stand by the bulbs' eco-amity. They also recommend you follow an 11-step toxic waste disposal plan so as not to destroy the earth with massive mercury deposits after they burn out.
It's important to remember that the available eco-friendly products, although catering to a more liberal consumer, are the products of capitalism. The companies we venerate for supporting the movement are merely profiteers, and we are helping to make them rich while they do more harm than good. A green label with a cute picture of a smiling Earth doesn't say anything but "buy me!" Think twice before you give in, and for God's sake, don't drop that light bulb!
Better to Doublethink Late than Never
I was shocked to learn that Orwell's 1984 and Animal Farm aren't ubiquitous staples for the high school English curriculum. I read both of them twice throughout my K-12 career, and was enthralled by the dystopian genre. Of course, the futile exploits of a doomed subversive can get a bit tiresome, particularly the second time around. Nevertheless, 1984 is one of my all-time favorites, and Meagan touches on (in my opinion) one of its more interesting lessons.
The Party represses authentic thought but does so with subtle, machinating intent so as not to be discovered. It's not so much a salient delusion of the masses as a more sophisticated way of teaching the masses how to delude themselves. This tactic engenders ignorance, the degradation of language (Newspeak), the evanescence of memory (doublethink), and the consequential adherence to the present as dictated by Big Brother.
The American BB has learned from past sedition. Gone are the days when a government imposes unfair legislation and waits for its constituency to respond. Such a response is snuffed before it can begin; it falls victim to propaganda and subliminal dictation as leaders gussy up the yoke with words like "security" and "patriotism." We see bumper stickers that say "freedom isn't free." If this isn't doublethink, I don't know what is.
If anyone hasn't read 1984, you must check it out. If the genre strikes your fancy (and it just might, considering our post-9/11 age), you may also want to look into Fahrenheit 451, Brave New World, "Harrison Bergeron," and When the Sleeper Wakes.
The Party represses authentic thought but does so with subtle, machinating intent so as not to be discovered. It's not so much a salient delusion of the masses as a more sophisticated way of teaching the masses how to delude themselves. This tactic engenders ignorance, the degradation of language (Newspeak), the evanescence of memory (doublethink), and the consequential adherence to the present as dictated by Big Brother.
The American BB has learned from past sedition. Gone are the days when a government imposes unfair legislation and waits for its constituency to respond. Such a response is snuffed before it can begin; it falls victim to propaganda and subliminal dictation as leaders gussy up the yoke with words like "security" and "patriotism." We see bumper stickers that say "freedom isn't free." If this isn't doublethink, I don't know what is.
If anyone hasn't read 1984, you must check it out. If the genre strikes your fancy (and it just might, considering our post-9/11 age), you may also want to look into Fahrenheit 451, Brave New World, "Harrison Bergeron," and When the Sleeper Wakes.
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