As a means of getting organized, I chose to clean out the closet in my bedroom. My closet isn't a walk-in, so it's not huge, but it's not super small either. It's lined with five rows of long white shelves. However, there is a small area for hanging fancy pants clothing that is tucked away in the right corner of the closet. Needless to say, it gets messy after awhile. Clothes get put back too hastily and they fall on top of each other and if I'm not in the mood to fold, well... they just get thrown in. So, here's how I went about it:
At the beginning, I felt a bit overwhelmed because I have a lot of clothes that have gathered in my closet. Instead of tearing everything off all of the shelves at once, I went one shelf at a time, which really eased my bewilderment. Towards the middle of my closet cleaning, I got pretty bored, I was sick of folding, but I knew I still had a lot to do. I decided to play some music, which kept me entertained until I finished. When I placed the last pile of clothing onto the last section of shelf, I felt such great relief. It was as if a weight had been lifted off of me when I completed my closet cleaning.
My mind definitely feels better now that it has completed its task. However, it is somewhat nervous and disappointed because it knows that the perfect closet won't look like that forever. And sooner or later, it'll have to endure the perilous task of folding hundreds of clothes once again.
From organizing my closet, I've learned that I feel happier when I'm organized. I also learned that sometimes organizing is a pain in the butt, but it is definitely helpful in the end. I now know just exactly where everything is, and will no longer have to maul through fifty shirts before finding the one that I'm searching for.
As I worked on this project, I was surprised to learn that I was torn over which way to organize my closet. I always color coordinate my sweatshirts: gray, black, navy blue. However, I tend to group my long sleeves, t-shirts, and tank tops according to style. This time, one part of my mind wanted to color coordinate those, too, while the other preferred the usual way. I was frustrated that I was struggling so much with which way to organize... I wish I could simply make a decision and be done with it. Afterall, was it really so hard to fold some clothes and group them in the way that I saw fit? I am seriously terrible at decision making. However, I was successful when it came to deciding whether to keep or donate certain clothes. I have a rule: If I haven't worn it in a year, I have to get rid of it. A good portion of my closet was emptied this way. I am pleased that my rule has allowed me to make decisions about some things. I guess I'll just have to keep working on everything else.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Change of Mind: Descartes
After reading about Descartes in Sophie's World, I see reasoning, God, and reality in a new way.
Before learning about Descartes, I never questioned reasoning. I didn't question the environment surrounding me... I always thought it was just there. However, Descartes was full of doubt, never sure of what was real and what wasn't. Through this thought process, he came to comprehend that he was really alive. Gaarder explains, "When he doubted, he had to be thinking, and because he was thinking, it had to be certain that he was a thinking being" (235). Though Descartes conclusion is somewhat simplistic, it is at the same time complex. As humans we should all question what we are and find the reasoning behind it, but most of us don't. Descartes made me realize that we shouldn't just accept what we are, but that we must find reasoning to make it true within ourselves.
Descartes also changed my views on why/how God exists. As opposed to other theories, I liked and understood his most. I'd never given much thought about who or what God is before this. Basically, Descartes explains that because every human has instilled within them the idea of "perfect," God must exist, because that idea could have only originated from a "perfect" God. I like Descartes way of thinking here. Again, it is somewhat simplistic, but it makes sense to me, and I appreciate that.
Descartes perception of reality is interesting. He is a dualist and therefore believes in two forms of reality: thought/mind and extension/matter. Before Descartes, I hadn't considered two different realities, nor did I really consider "reality" in general. However, Descartes explains that it comes in two forms. Thought is within one's mind and is not tangible. It takes up no room in space and can therefore not be broken into smaller parts. However, matter, the other form of reality, does take up room in space and can be broken down into smaller parts. Descartes believes that God created these two substances, but they don't have contact with each other. From Descartes, I see a better distinction between thought and matter. I'm happy that man is both, because with with our bodies and minds, we can achieve a better sense of reality.
Before learning about Descartes, I never questioned reasoning. I didn't question the environment surrounding me... I always thought it was just there. However, Descartes was full of doubt, never sure of what was real and what wasn't. Through this thought process, he came to comprehend that he was really alive. Gaarder explains, "When he doubted, he had to be thinking, and because he was thinking, it had to be certain that he was a thinking being" (235). Though Descartes conclusion is somewhat simplistic, it is at the same time complex. As humans we should all question what we are and find the reasoning behind it, but most of us don't. Descartes made me realize that we shouldn't just accept what we are, but that we must find reasoning to make it true within ourselves.
Descartes also changed my views on why/how God exists. As opposed to other theories, I liked and understood his most. I'd never given much thought about who or what God is before this. Basically, Descartes explains that because every human has instilled within them the idea of "perfect," God must exist, because that idea could have only originated from a "perfect" God. I like Descartes way of thinking here. Again, it is somewhat simplistic, but it makes sense to me, and I appreciate that.
Descartes perception of reality is interesting. He is a dualist and therefore believes in two forms of reality: thought/mind and extension/matter. Before Descartes, I hadn't considered two different realities, nor did I really consider "reality" in general. However, Descartes explains that it comes in two forms. Thought is within one's mind and is not tangible. It takes up no room in space and can therefore not be broken into smaller parts. However, matter, the other form of reality, does take up room in space and can be broken down into smaller parts. Descartes believes that God created these two substances, but they don't have contact with each other. From Descartes, I see a better distinction between thought and matter. I'm happy that man is both, because with with our bodies and minds, we can achieve a better sense of reality.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
iMedia: Gregory Crewdson's Photography
Gregory Crewdson was born in 1968 and is now a well-known photographer. He studied at Yale University and is now an instructor there. I learned about Crewdson in my photography class and I have basically fallen in love with his photos.
Crewdson has a team of nearly sixty people that work to perfect the sets for his photos. His photos are elaborately staged and sometimes super expensive to create. Most of his photos represent small town life, though they no doubt have a sci-fi feeling to them. Many of his photos are reminiscent of a colorful episode of the Twilight Zone and some say that they resemble Steven Spielberg's work because they appear somewhat cinematic.
Crewdson's elaborate sets definitely represent 21st century life. Here in the 21st century, we are all about complexity. Crewdson demonstrates complexity through his enormous, staged sets that require hundreds of hands and lots of time. Not only are his sets complex, but so are the ideas that his photos may or may not get across.
I am deeply enthralled by his somewhat perplexing photos. First, because they allow the imagination to run wild. There is no limit to what his photos might represent. For example, his series, Beneath the Roses, features an image of a woman floating face up in the water inside of a house in what looks like the den. How odd! He also has another that I deeply enjoy: a man standing outside of his car, the door is open, it's pouring rain and he's soaking wet. He's kind of feeling at the rain, as if asking, "what is this stuff?" I don't know what it means, but that's why I love it. It can mean anything!
The light in his photos is also extremely well done. Light comes in strong from all different directions, but is also lacking in all the right areas. Also Crewdson displays his photos on an extremely large scale, almost taking up full walls. This is reminiscent of today's society in a way. Everything is big nowadays... big TVs, big cars, big photographic displays... his usage of "big" is intriguing and helpful at the same time. Big photos, as opposed to one that fits into your wallet, are easier to connect and fall into. The largeness is also more realistic and lifelike. Also, Crewdson subtly places small signs and subjects into his photos that can only be seen from an extremely large scale. His talented interest for photography stems from a certain fascination that he has.
Crewdson has many times made the comment that he is intrigued with the idea of "frozen in time." Like no other media, photography has no beginning and no end. For example, books, songs, and movies all have a solid start and a finish. However, the beginning and the end are nonexistent for photographs, they just are. Crewdson definitely has a great time toying with this idea. Often, he leaves the viewer of his photos entirely perplexed, somewhat dumbfounded.
Crewdson has a team of nearly sixty people that work to perfect the sets for his photos. His photos are elaborately staged and sometimes super expensive to create. Most of his photos represent small town life, though they no doubt have a sci-fi feeling to them. Many of his photos are reminiscent of a colorful episode of the Twilight Zone and some say that they resemble Steven Spielberg's work because they appear somewhat cinematic.
Crewdson's elaborate sets definitely represent 21st century life. Here in the 21st century, we are all about complexity. Crewdson demonstrates complexity through his enormous, staged sets that require hundreds of hands and lots of time. Not only are his sets complex, but so are the ideas that his photos may or may not get across.
I am deeply enthralled by his somewhat perplexing photos. First, because they allow the imagination to run wild. There is no limit to what his photos might represent. For example, his series, Beneath the Roses, features an image of a woman floating face up in the water inside of a house in what looks like the den. How odd! He also has another that I deeply enjoy: a man standing outside of his car, the door is open, it's pouring rain and he's soaking wet. He's kind of feeling at the rain, as if asking, "what is this stuff?" I don't know what it means, but that's why I love it. It can mean anything!
The light in his photos is also extremely well done. Light comes in strong from all different directions, but is also lacking in all the right areas. Also Crewdson displays his photos on an extremely large scale, almost taking up full walls. This is reminiscent of today's society in a way. Everything is big nowadays... big TVs, big cars, big photographic displays... his usage of "big" is intriguing and helpful at the same time. Big photos, as opposed to one that fits into your wallet, are easier to connect and fall into. The largeness is also more realistic and lifelike. Also, Crewdson subtly places small signs and subjects into his photos that can only be seen from an extremely large scale. His talented interest for photography stems from a certain fascination that he has.
Crewdson has many times made the comment that he is intrigued with the idea of "frozen in time." Like no other media, photography has no beginning and no end. For example, books, songs, and movies all have a solid start and a finish. However, the beginning and the end are nonexistent for photographs, they just are. Crewdson definitely has a great time toying with this idea. Often, he leaves the viewer of his photos entirely perplexed, somewhat dumbfounded.
Crewdson's photography is both astonishing and at times unsettling. He certainly has the ability to captivate and confuse.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Best of Today: Sophie as a Medium
As we discussed Sophie's World in class today, we attempted to answer the question, "Why does Gaarder juxtapose the Sophie narrative with a philosophy course?" (taken from the Humanities website).
I believe that Gaarder's juxtaposition of Sophie and philosophy is a brilliant idea.
From the question, we came across some excellent explanations. First, Sophie makes the book into a novel. There are characters, like her mother and father and friends, and there are problems that Sophie has already come across... like that her mother thinks she is on drugs due to her newly found curiosity of the world around her. As readers, we are more enthralled by things that we can relate to. So, when Gaarder puts Sophie's life into this work, it provides a greater sense of affection because it is realistic, and it creates an interesting novel. Therefore, more people read it and enjoy it.
If this work was solely philosophy, I would cringe just reading the back cover. When I ponder philosophy, the words that come into my mind are "beyond me... ridiculously confusing... college... religion..." As such, philosophy, at least for me, is completely overwhelming and not something I'd like to read a book about. However, Gaarder's clever ways have put me in a slightly more discernible position: he has combined the mastery of philosophy with a fourteen year old girl who I am more or less able to relate to.
I am so happy that Gaarder has done this, that I wish I could thank him personally. I am totally thankful because this will totally help me get through this 507 page novel. I thoroughly believe that if Sophie was not a part of this work, I would be incapable of reading it. Already, I have noticed that I look forward to reading the "Sophie" parts of the novel. In a way, they give my mind a break from the intense exercise it gets from the philosophy parts.
Considering what Gaarder did, I wish that other writers would do the same. When I think about my past math and history textbooks, I probably would have understood them a lot more, and have been more motivated to read them, if there was a story line twisted into them. I honestly would not mind reading extra pages if there was more depth (like a storyline) to what I'd been reading. In the future, I'll hopefully be able to find novels like Sophie's World, that intrigue me with their fiction, yet teach me significant subjects like astronomy or psychology.
I am extremely grateful for Gaarder's unique combination of fiction and history, and I hope that it makes way for more novels like it, because it seems like an excellent way to teach and entertain at the same time.
I believe that Gaarder's juxtaposition of Sophie and philosophy is a brilliant idea.
From the question, we came across some excellent explanations. First, Sophie makes the book into a novel. There are characters, like her mother and father and friends, and there are problems that Sophie has already come across... like that her mother thinks she is on drugs due to her newly found curiosity of the world around her. As readers, we are more enthralled by things that we can relate to. So, when Gaarder puts Sophie's life into this work, it provides a greater sense of affection because it is realistic, and it creates an interesting novel. Therefore, more people read it and enjoy it.
If this work was solely philosophy, I would cringe just reading the back cover. When I ponder philosophy, the words that come into my mind are "beyond me... ridiculously confusing... college... religion..." As such, philosophy, at least for me, is completely overwhelming and not something I'd like to read a book about. However, Gaarder's clever ways have put me in a slightly more discernible position: he has combined the mastery of philosophy with a fourteen year old girl who I am more or less able to relate to.
I am so happy that Gaarder has done this, that I wish I could thank him personally. I am totally thankful because this will totally help me get through this 507 page novel. I thoroughly believe that if Sophie was not a part of this work, I would be incapable of reading it. Already, I have noticed that I look forward to reading the "Sophie" parts of the novel. In a way, they give my mind a break from the intense exercise it gets from the philosophy parts.
Considering what Gaarder did, I wish that other writers would do the same. When I think about my past math and history textbooks, I probably would have understood them a lot more, and have been more motivated to read them, if there was a story line twisted into them. I honestly would not mind reading extra pages if there was more depth (like a storyline) to what I'd been reading. In the future, I'll hopefully be able to find novels like Sophie's World, that intrigue me with their fiction, yet teach me significant subjects like astronomy or psychology.
I am extremely grateful for Gaarder's unique combination of fiction and history, and I hope that it makes way for more novels like it, because it seems like an excellent way to teach and entertain at the same time.
Friday, October 29, 2010
iMedia: Home
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjFaenf1T-Y
Home- Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
At the beginning of this past summer, I heard this song for the first time on stereomood.com. Stereomood is an excellent site that creates playlists for songs that fit into specific categories, like chillout and psychedelic. The great thing about Stereomood is that the playlists change often, always adding new songs. So, when I came back from Costa Rica at the end of the summer, my favorite song from Stereomood had disappeared and I just could not recall the name of it or the artists who sang it. I searched through thousands of songs, hoping that a name might jump out at me, but I found nothing. I was deeply saddened and aggravated by this... all I wanted was to hear my favorite song, and I just wasn't capable of finding it. And then a miracle occurred:
A couple of weeks ago, I was discussing music with a friend. I told her about my situation, and I tried to describe the bits and pieces that I could remember from my mystery song. AND SHE KNEW IT! We listened to the song on Youtube together, and I was so excited and amazed, I thought I might burst.
So... why am I entirely enthralled by and in love with this song? For starters, this song is unusual. A man and a woman sing it together, and at one part they have an actual conversation... and it's funny! They are successfully able to recount a real story, which only makes me love the song more. I also appreciate the sounds in this song. There is lots of whistling, and I adore that. Overall, the noises that this song makes pleases my ears to no end.
This piece is significant not only because of its beautiful sounds, but because of its message as well. The song basically reinstates that old saying, "home is where the heart is." Wherever these two characters go together, whenever they go, and whenever they're alone, they're home. Each one holds the others heart. As long as these two lovers are together, they feel home.
I think it's important for today's society to remember the power of love. People, especially Americans, tend to get wrapped up in their busy, meaningless lives at work and they forget how to love. They set it aside and don't realize that they're missing out on one of life's greatest pleasures. Home only reassures the fact that yes, one does need to experience love.
These two people in this song feel real. Their love is fierce, fun, and beautiful. I hope that other people can listen to this piece, and realize its strength and happiness and loveliness.
Home- Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
At the beginning of this past summer, I heard this song for the first time on stereomood.com. Stereomood is an excellent site that creates playlists for songs that fit into specific categories, like chillout and psychedelic. The great thing about Stereomood is that the playlists change often, always adding new songs. So, when I came back from Costa Rica at the end of the summer, my favorite song from Stereomood had disappeared and I just could not recall the name of it or the artists who sang it. I searched through thousands of songs, hoping that a name might jump out at me, but I found nothing. I was deeply saddened and aggravated by this... all I wanted was to hear my favorite song, and I just wasn't capable of finding it. And then a miracle occurred:
A couple of weeks ago, I was discussing music with a friend. I told her about my situation, and I tried to describe the bits and pieces that I could remember from my mystery song. AND SHE KNEW IT! We listened to the song on Youtube together, and I was so excited and amazed, I thought I might burst.
So... why am I entirely enthralled by and in love with this song? For starters, this song is unusual. A man and a woman sing it together, and at one part they have an actual conversation... and it's funny! They are successfully able to recount a real story, which only makes me love the song more. I also appreciate the sounds in this song. There is lots of whistling, and I adore that. Overall, the noises that this song makes pleases my ears to no end.
This piece is significant not only because of its beautiful sounds, but because of its message as well. The song basically reinstates that old saying, "home is where the heart is." Wherever these two characters go together, whenever they go, and whenever they're alone, they're home. Each one holds the others heart. As long as these two lovers are together, they feel home.
I think it's important for today's society to remember the power of love. People, especially Americans, tend to get wrapped up in their busy, meaningless lives at work and they forget how to love. They set it aside and don't realize that they're missing out on one of life's greatest pleasures. Home only reassures the fact that yes, one does need to experience love.
These two people in this song feel real. Their love is fierce, fun, and beautiful. I hope that other people can listen to this piece, and realize its strength and happiness and loveliness.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Carry It Forward: The Shadow Catcher
The Shadow Catcher presented many interesting ideas, but the one that I found most alluring was that of the Vision Quest. Wiggins explains in the novel that it was a ritual that Navajo Indians used to do: "Each man would leave the tribe on his vision quest at the beginning of adulthood, only to return, again, as part of the tribe, once he had experienced the vision, specific to himself, of his spiritual identity" (312). She then goes on to say that any human, no matter when they lived, takes their quest for understanding to the source and live by it. Basically put, the Navajo are not the only ones who take vision quests; every one does.
I enjoy the idea of the vision quest. The concept of going on a journey, searching through one's soul, and finding understanding is appealing to me, and probably to many others, as well. This concept is valuable because it allows one to live more clearly and profoundly for the rest of his/ her life. If one understands his/her self, then life's challenges will be less difficult for him/her, and life's pleasures will be more enjoyable. Therefore, finding one's identity is very beneficial. I like to consider it this way: to understand oneself is to understand the world.
I hope that one day in the near future, I will take my vision quest. I realize that it does not have to be a month long or a half year journey. I think it might even have the ability to happen in a day or a week. I'm not sure yet where I will go on my vision quest, but I know that it will be a mind altering experience that will solidify my identity.
I enjoy the idea of the vision quest. The concept of going on a journey, searching through one's soul, and finding understanding is appealing to me, and probably to many others, as well. This concept is valuable because it allows one to live more clearly and profoundly for the rest of his/ her life. If one understands his/her self, then life's challenges will be less difficult for him/her, and life's pleasures will be more enjoyable. Therefore, finding one's identity is very beneficial. I like to consider it this way: to understand oneself is to understand the world.
I hope that one day in the near future, I will take my vision quest. I realize that it does not have to be a month long or a half year journey. I think it might even have the ability to happen in a day or a week. I'm not sure yet where I will go on my vision quest, but I know that it will be a mind altering experience that will solidify my identity.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Metacognition: QE Essay
I have already somewhat discussed my thought process for the QE essay in a previous blog, but now having completed it I can better reflect on the way in which mind works while writing an essay.
When I read the directions for the second section of the QE Essay, I saw that I needed to use five sources from class and explore them in relation to my chosen question. Exploring is something that I've never really done before for a school essay. I was pretty flustered by it and slightly agitated... I guess this is telling me that I'm not very adaptable to change. I couldn't grasp how my sources could be used to explore my question. My mind was so set on trying to establish a point. Instead of proving a thesis, like all my other school essays, this essay used exploration as a way to understand a question. It was as if my brain was refusing to break an old habit, and I needed a better way to wrap my mind around this essay. I knew I was thoroughly confused, and in order to fix my confusion, I used an organizational technique that I like to call the bubble map.
Often when I write essays, I use outlines or diagrams to organize my thoughts. This method was especially helpful for the QE essay. By laying out my five sources surrounded by my question, I was better able to comprehend just exactly how to work this out. From this, I know that my mind works somewhat visually and methodically. I need organization so that I can clearly see what I have to do.
Even though my bubble map helped me greatly, my essay was still nowhere near perfect. After I got my rough draft back, I realized that some of my sources weren't exactly the best choices to use when reflecting on my question. Although I was frustrated to do so, I recreated three-ish of my paragraphs in hopes of better grasping the exploration process. Something that I've known for a long time about my writing brain is that it is s l o w. I write super, super slow and indecisively. Nearly every sentence I write, I go back and change. Every adjective I use, I feel like there might be a better one, so thesauruses are my best friends. Sometimes I sit at my desk for five minutes before writing a single word. It's a pain. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the careful words that my mind chooses and the way in which it composes sentences. However, writing the QE essay especially was very time consuming because of its unique structure. I wish my mind would work more efficiently and less indecisively when writing.
The QE essay proved to be a thorough challenge for my brain and I. I think we are both happy that it is finally completed.
When I read the directions for the second section of the QE Essay, I saw that I needed to use five sources from class and explore them in relation to my chosen question. Exploring is something that I've never really done before for a school essay. I was pretty flustered by it and slightly agitated... I guess this is telling me that I'm not very adaptable to change. I couldn't grasp how my sources could be used to explore my question. My mind was so set on trying to establish a point. Instead of proving a thesis, like all my other school essays, this essay used exploration as a way to understand a question. It was as if my brain was refusing to break an old habit, and I needed a better way to wrap my mind around this essay. I knew I was thoroughly confused, and in order to fix my confusion, I used an organizational technique that I like to call the bubble map.
Often when I write essays, I use outlines or diagrams to organize my thoughts. This method was especially helpful for the QE essay. By laying out my five sources surrounded by my question, I was better able to comprehend just exactly how to work this out. From this, I know that my mind works somewhat visually and methodically. I need organization so that I can clearly see what I have to do.
Even though my bubble map helped me greatly, my essay was still nowhere near perfect. After I got my rough draft back, I realized that some of my sources weren't exactly the best choices to use when reflecting on my question. Although I was frustrated to do so, I recreated three-ish of my paragraphs in hopes of better grasping the exploration process. Something that I've known for a long time about my writing brain is that it is s l o w. I write super, super slow and indecisively. Nearly every sentence I write, I go back and change. Every adjective I use, I feel like there might be a better one, so thesauruses are my best friends. Sometimes I sit at my desk for five minutes before writing a single word. It's a pain. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the careful words that my mind chooses and the way in which it composes sentences. However, writing the QE essay especially was very time consuming because of its unique structure. I wish my mind would work more efficiently and less indecisively when writing.
The QE essay proved to be a thorough challenge for my brain and I. I think we are both happy that it is finally completed.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Blogging Around
Becca's intent was to explain her unique writing style; she rarely changes phrases and sentences because she spends time on making them right the first time. Instead of planning out what she writes, she is best at starting her final draft immediately, and making each sentence authentic and valuable on her first try.
This is the comment that I left on Becca W's blog:
Hey Becca!
I just read your metacognition blog entry and I really enjoyed it. I liked reading about your mind... It seems that everyone's mind is so completely different. It's fascinating to see how your brain works in comparison to my own. I like how your writing comes out best the first time that you write it, and that you don't waste time rewriting sentences. I know that when I write, I tend to rewrite a sentence five times before it feels right, and it's utterly time consuming and frustrating. Your writing is authentic and it reflects you as an individual!
-Marlee
Sammy explained that, at first, mindbooks can be very difficult, but once you let your mind wander in a new way, they're actually quite enjoyable and beneficial. She also explained that her mind works visually. She uses aesthetically pleasing methods while taking notes, and this in turn helps her memorize things with ease.
This is the comment that I left on Sammy B's blog:
Hey Sammy,
Your blog post is impressive. I feel like I just learned a lot about you. For instance, I didn't know that you were a visual learner. It's so interesting to learn about how one organizes notes and such compared to someone else. Like you, for example, write notes with many headings using different locations around your paper. However, I tend to write my notes in sloppy lists, using arrows and circles to point out things of importance. It's amusing to see how differently two minds can work.
I liked the way that you went about your mindbook entry... I think a lot of times, when it comes to mindbooks, they come out very differently from what we first expected. It might be because our minds are working so abstractly and using new methods, they get excited and tend to change paths, finding better ways to get our messages across. I appreciate the way your mind functions.
-Marlee
This is the comment that I left on Becca W's blog:
Hey Becca!
I just read your metacognition blog entry and I really enjoyed it. I liked reading about your mind... It seems that everyone's mind is so completely different. It's fascinating to see how your brain works in comparison to my own. I like how your writing comes out best the first time that you write it, and that you don't waste time rewriting sentences. I know that when I write, I tend to rewrite a sentence five times before it feels right, and it's utterly time consuming and frustrating. Your writing is authentic and it reflects you as an individual!
-Marlee
Sammy explained that, at first, mindbooks can be very difficult, but once you let your mind wander in a new way, they're actually quite enjoyable and beneficial. She also explained that her mind works visually. She uses aesthetically pleasing methods while taking notes, and this in turn helps her memorize things with ease.
This is the comment that I left on Sammy B's blog:
Hey Sammy,
Your blog post is impressive. I feel like I just learned a lot about you. For instance, I didn't know that you were a visual learner. It's so interesting to learn about how one organizes notes and such compared to someone else. Like you, for example, write notes with many headings using different locations around your paper. However, I tend to write my notes in sloppy lists, using arrows and circles to point out things of importance. It's amusing to see how differently two minds can work.
I liked the way that you went about your mindbook entry... I think a lot of times, when it comes to mindbooks, they come out very differently from what we first expected. It might be because our minds are working so abstractly and using new methods, they get excited and tend to change paths, finding better ways to get our messages across. I appreciate the way your mind functions.
-Marlee
Friday, September 24, 2010
Metacognition: QE Essay
Yesterday, I started to the first part of my rough draft for the QE essay. Before starting, I read over the prompt about three times. I then looked at the questions and I proceeded to slowly and carefully pick the one that I liked the best. I've noticed before that I am usually very adamant on the prompt that I pick, when given a choice. However, this time I was stuck between two: What are the obstacles to creativity, and how can they be overcome? and How can creativity be used to improve the human condition? Since I couldn't quite choose at first, I wrote out both questions in my notebook. I then attempted to answer both questions. I figured whichever question I got the most answers from would be the one that I'd use in my essay. Once I jotted down my few answers to each question, I realized I had the same amount for each. Argh. I looked again at both questions, and I considered how similar they were. Actually, I could probably just incorporate one question into the other throughout the essay. Huh, that sounds pretty nice. So, I chose the second question and I figure I can relate it to the first. I realize that my brain works very clearly and methodically when it wants to. Also, I've discovered that I am a terrible decision maker. I really do wish I was better at it, but I seem to have gotten even worse over the years. It takes me way too long to make a decision, and once I make it, I usually go another route entirely. I second guess myself, because I fear making the wrong decision. I'm a slow, slow worker, and I really wish I could change that.
After I chose my question, I brainstormed my "warm up act." I searched my iTunes music library and looked deep in my brain for inspiration, where I found nothing. I looked just to the right of my desk, where I keep my most beloved books, and I considered their plots and themes. I realized then that one of those many books would be the perfect "warm up act." I was surprised at how quickly I found inspiration for the first paragraph of my essay and at how long it took me to choose the right question for it. I already know that I'm terrible at decisions, but I didn't realize that I'm easily and swiftly inspired by many things.
For the next paragraph, I had to elaborate on the question and explain its relativity and importance. This was a bit of a failure for me. It took me too long, and I couldn't find the right words. I strive to be a good writer, but often my words come out sounding weird and cheesy. I also realize that I get nervous when writing out the big picture. It's as if the question I'm trying to answer is beyond me, and I'm too timid to try and answer it. I'm embarrassed by what I might say, and I don't like being that way. In the future, I hope to be able to have a little more confidence in my writing, so that I don't sit in front of the computer for too long, pondering, trying to make decisions and failing miserably.
After I chose my question, I brainstormed my "warm up act." I searched my iTunes music library and looked deep in my brain for inspiration, where I found nothing. I looked just to the right of my desk, where I keep my most beloved books, and I considered their plots and themes. I realized then that one of those many books would be the perfect "warm up act." I was surprised at how quickly I found inspiration for the first paragraph of my essay and at how long it took me to choose the right question for it. I already know that I'm terrible at decisions, but I didn't realize that I'm easily and swiftly inspired by many things.
For the next paragraph, I had to elaborate on the question and explain its relativity and importance. This was a bit of a failure for me. It took me too long, and I couldn't find the right words. I strive to be a good writer, but often my words come out sounding weird and cheesy. I also realize that I get nervous when writing out the big picture. It's as if the question I'm trying to answer is beyond me, and I'm too timid to try and answer it. I'm embarrassed by what I might say, and I don't like being that way. In the future, I hope to be able to have a little more confidence in my writing, so that I don't sit in front of the computer for too long, pondering, trying to make decisions and failing miserably.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Best of Week: How to be Creative when Writing
The most substantial ideas from class this week came from Andrea Barrett's Sea of Information. I was abruptly overwhelmed by the truth of her words and the impact that they had on me. She graced us with many ideas to consider when writing, and also demonstrated that writing is never perfect the first time, and that it's okay to mess up repeatedly before finding the right words.
First, she did lots and lots of research. I like how she found background information on the subjects that she wrote about. Barrett made an excellent analogy that really spoke to me, "Research, no matter how compelling, may give me the bones of a fiction but never the breath and the blood" (16). She nails down the facts, which is vital when writing. However, she isn't solely focused on them. Instead, she uses the facts more as a framework or backbone to the actual piece. Really, imagination, creativity, and personality provide the true feelings and emotions that writers hope to evoke from readers. These three things lure in the reader by making the story come alive. No longer does it sound factual (although the facts are all there), it sounds like an actual story that people want to read about. For me, this is excellent incite. I realize now that creativity and personality are necessary when writing, and that it's okay to use my imagination to aid me in creating the best work possible.
Barrett also shared with us that she messes up a lot when she writes. Her first draft is never perfect. In fact, she said that her original story almost completely changed over the course of a year. In a way, I'm relieved! I'm happy to know that really great writers have trouble writing, too. I now know that writing takes time, and it's okay to go back and rewrite a couple of times, maybe even more.
Why does writing take so long? Well, sometimes we just can't find the right words. However, there are other reasons, too. For example, inspiration for writing comes from everywhere. Literally. So, just when I think I've created the perfect paragraph, a new idea forms in my mind, and I'm forced to start all over again. But I know now that that's okay. It's the imagination at work, and that's a great tool when writing. So, it's normal to be a slow, indecisive writer, because in the end,
you've created the best work that your mind can put out there.
I know that Barrett's insight on writing creatively will help me with every story, essay, poem, blog, etc. that I ever write again. Her knowledge about writing is very vast, and because of that she has helped me realize just exactly what I need to be a decent writer.
First, she did lots and lots of research. I like how she found background information on the subjects that she wrote about. Barrett made an excellent analogy that really spoke to me, "Research, no matter how compelling, may give me the bones of a fiction but never the breath and the blood" (16). She nails down the facts, which is vital when writing. However, she isn't solely focused on them. Instead, she uses the facts more as a framework or backbone to the actual piece. Really, imagination, creativity, and personality provide the true feelings and emotions that writers hope to evoke from readers. These three things lure in the reader by making the story come alive. No longer does it sound factual (although the facts are all there), it sounds like an actual story that people want to read about. For me, this is excellent incite. I realize now that creativity and personality are necessary when writing, and that it's okay to use my imagination to aid me in creating the best work possible.
Barrett also shared with us that she messes up a lot when she writes. Her first draft is never perfect. In fact, she said that her original story almost completely changed over the course of a year. In a way, I'm relieved! I'm happy to know that really great writers have trouble writing, too. I now know that writing takes time, and it's okay to go back and rewrite a couple of times, maybe even more.
Why does writing take so long? Well, sometimes we just can't find the right words. However, there are other reasons, too. For example, inspiration for writing comes from everywhere. Literally. So, just when I think I've created the perfect paragraph, a new idea forms in my mind, and I'm forced to start all over again. But I know now that that's okay. It's the imagination at work, and that's a great tool when writing. So, it's normal to be a slow, indecisive writer, because in the end,
you've created the best work that your mind can put out there.
I know that Barrett's insight on writing creatively will help me with every story, essay, poem, blog, etc. that I ever write again. Her knowledge about writing is very vast, and because of that she has helped me realize just exactly what I need to be a decent writer.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Connection: Richard Feynman and Felix Hoenikker
When I started reading Alan Alda's essay and he started describing Richard Feynman, I realized that he reminded me exactly of Felix Hoenikker. Hoenikker is a fictional character from a book that I read entitled Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut.
There are many similarities between the two of them. For example, they're both phsyicists that aid in the development of the atomic bomb. Also, they follow their curiosity and have fun while they do so. When Feynman spends months trying to decipher why a plate wobbles as it spins, it's just like the time that Hoenikker develops a fascination for turtles, and it becomes his obsession. Neither of them lose their sense of curiosity or adolescence, constantly experimenting with new things and exploring new ideas. Comparing the two is almost like comparing the same person.
The two scientists inform one another by demonstrating a lack of normality in one area. Hoenikker, unlike Feynman, is unable to present himself as a normal guy. Hoenikker was always a little weird. He's very quiet and not great at relating to other people. However, Alda describes in his essay that Feynman was capable of being just another man, though his mind was so much more extensive than most's.
These two closesly related men provide insight on the minds of brilliant people. I think it is so important to know that these two extremely intelligent men can come off as lunatics, at times. I know that sounds harsh, but I mean it in a positive way. Our perception of smart people is not that of someone who plays with toys and acts on impulse. However, these two incredibly ingenius men happen to do both of these things. Therefore, I think that these men teach a very important lesson, which is that sometimes our perception is off, and often people are not who they seem to be.
There are many similarities between the two of them. For example, they're both phsyicists that aid in the development of the atomic bomb. Also, they follow their curiosity and have fun while they do so. When Feynman spends months trying to decipher why a plate wobbles as it spins, it's just like the time that Hoenikker develops a fascination for turtles, and it becomes his obsession. Neither of them lose their sense of curiosity or adolescence, constantly experimenting with new things and exploring new ideas. Comparing the two is almost like comparing the same person.
The two scientists inform one another by demonstrating a lack of normality in one area. Hoenikker, unlike Feynman, is unable to present himself as a normal guy. Hoenikker was always a little weird. He's very quiet and not great at relating to other people. However, Alda describes in his essay that Feynman was capable of being just another man, though his mind was so much more extensive than most's.
These two closesly related men provide insight on the minds of brilliant people. I think it is so important to know that these two extremely intelligent men can come off as lunatics, at times. I know that sounds harsh, but I mean it in a positive way. Our perception of smart people is not that of someone who plays with toys and acts on impulse. However, these two incredibly ingenius men happen to do both of these things. Therefore, I think that these men teach a very important lesson, which is that sometimes our perception is off, and often people are not who they seem to be.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Carry It Forward: The Angels
Last week in class, we read and analyzed "The Angels" by John Updike. Updike's poem speaks to me in a variety of ways. I am truly fascinated with its meaning and by the truth of his words.
Upon taking the poem home and analyzin
g it alone, I only took from it that it was an ode to past composers, artists, and writers. Although this is partly correct, there is so much more that the poem has to offer!
When we discussed the poem in class, I realized its true meaning. We pointed out Updike's usage of phrases like "plane of silent compromise" compared to "realm above." The Angels, being the composers, artists, and writers, are part of the "realm above us. However, we dwell on the dull "plane of silent compromise." Updike reveals that their work is hidden everywhere, we only must look for it.
Updike brings up an ugly truth: Sometimes, life can be dull and boring and downright uninteresting. However, there is a solution to bringing the color back into one's life. The Angels: Mozart, Matisse, Shakespeare, etc. are one's salvation in times of a black and white life. One must pay attention to the art that is clearly all around them. When life gets to be too dull, too tired, one can always enhance it with a dose of music, art, or literature.So, now that I've been enlightened with this excellent belief, I'm all too excited to use it in my day-to-day life. As hard as it is to believe, my life does get very boring at times. I mean, homework, studying, filling out college applications, working... eh, not always fun. In fact, sometimes I get so bored that I turn into a terrible person. I become agitated and don't know how to relax. However, now that I read "The Angels" I'll make an effort to devote more of my time to music, art, and reading. I can see now how this will effect me.
I know from past experiences that these three things have the ability to effect my mood and therefore my outlook on life. I know that listening to a great song or looking at a colorful drawing in times of utter boredom will uplift my mood.
From now on, I'm going to try to color my life with more books, music, and artwork so that I'm able to live more thoroughly and happily.
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