I realized that titling my blogs with the date is repetitive and doesn't tell anyone (even me) what the post is about. The title is like the subject line of an e-mail, but so much less pressure. I mean, with a title, I can say whatever I want because it's my blog and I have that right, but with the subject line of an e-mail, you need to be pithy and professional while still indicating what you're trying to say and make sure the person you're e-mailing doesn't feel like you're wasting his/her time. It's the hardest line for me to come up with. I especially hate it when people only write the subject line and don't elaborate in the body of the e-mail. But enough about that.
I want to elaborate upon/edit my list of annoyances:
When I wrote about gum chewing, I want to change that to all mouth noises, like any lip smacking, eating noises, tooth clicking, tut-tutting, etc. It drives me nuts.
With coughs/sneezes, I need to add excessive sniffing. That's like, a few in a row and irregular but close intervals.
I'm fairly certain that's it, but you'll hear from me if there's more.
I am 30 pages of Durkheim from being done with my reading for the quarter!! Henry James has been conquered.
On a completely unrelated note, I find it sad that I didn't realize how soon my birthday is until someone mentioned it to me at a party on Friday night. I'm looking forward to it, but I'm not expecting it to be that exciting. I want to keep it chill. This is the first year I can remember that I haven't had some elaborate countdown going for at leas a month. I guess I'm growing up, at least a little.
Going home for Spring Break in 13 days.
Today is awesome because I saw a great play, finished reading The Golden Bowl by Henry James (this one's big; I've been working really hard to finish it and I am now ahead for my class), and wore red to a production meeting.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
February 23, 2011: Language and Metaphor
So, a few weeks ago in my discussion section for the course Religion in Human Experience, we were discussing the Human Experience part of the course. It was at the very end of the discussion that I was struck by the epiphany of the essayist's congruence to Walt Whitman's image of then interconnected roots of grass and the commonalities among all human experience. Being the good nerdfighter I am, I then went to the public library and got a copy of both "Song of Myself" and John Green's amazing novel Paper Towns (if you haven't read it, you really should. It came out three years ago, I've read it multiple times, and it is still powerful to me) to further delve into this idea that began brewing in my head.
As I was analyzing religious theory, poetry, and the novel (which includes insightful analysis of the poetry), the importance of metaphor stood out to me. The religious theorists use terms like "consciousness" and "presence" to describe being intellectually and emotionally available to other humans; Whitman uses the grass; and Green introduces a more individualized metaphor of being made of strings that can and eventually do break.
I've been pondering metaphors for weeks now, and I think they help us think about tough subjects. It is hard to come up with an objective and universal way to talk about a huge concept like humanity, but the metaphors of interconnectedness that describe experience make it easier to understand another person's point of view. Isn't that what we try to do anyway?
And from metaphors, I began to rediscover the power of words. Language has such an influence on how we think about a topic, from words that sound beautiful to rhetorical strategies to emphasize their power when supporting a side in a debate. Words often sound better in my head and are hard to externalize as eloquently as I think them, but unless they are spoken they have no real influence.
I guess my main point is that language and metaphor have immense unifying power. They can help us understand one another, explain our personal worldview, and persuade others to take action. And even outside their power, they are just beautiful. I hope I never cease to recognize how amazing language is and can be.
Today is awesome because my psych study had a really comfy chair. DFTBA
As I was analyzing religious theory, poetry, and the novel (which includes insightful analysis of the poetry), the importance of metaphor stood out to me. The religious theorists use terms like "consciousness" and "presence" to describe being intellectually and emotionally available to other humans; Whitman uses the grass; and Green introduces a more individualized metaphor of being made of strings that can and eventually do break.
I've been pondering metaphors for weeks now, and I think they help us think about tough subjects. It is hard to come up with an objective and universal way to talk about a huge concept like humanity, but the metaphors of interconnectedness that describe experience make it easier to understand another person's point of view. Isn't that what we try to do anyway?
And from metaphors, I began to rediscover the power of words. Language has such an influence on how we think about a topic, from words that sound beautiful to rhetorical strategies to emphasize their power when supporting a side in a debate. Words often sound better in my head and are hard to externalize as eloquently as I think them, but unless they are spoken they have no real influence.
I guess my main point is that language and metaphor have immense unifying power. They can help us understand one another, explain our personal worldview, and persuade others to take action. And even outside their power, they are just beautiful. I hope I never cease to recognize how amazing language is and can be.
Today is awesome because my psych study had a really comfy chair. DFTBA
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
February 22, 2011: 5 Annoyances
I've been pretty neutral/philosophical/positive online because I don't want to be an internet complainer. It's all to easy to fall into a pattern of dumping all your troubles and angst into a journal or blog, but I try to keep a lot of that to myself because people don't really care about all the nonsense that's bothering me.
Except for you. You are reading my 5 Annoyances blog, so you want to know what gets on my nerves. Here they are, in no particular order:
1. The sound of gum chewing. I cannot listen to the obnoxious squelchey lip smacking that accompanies gum chewing. It particularly bothers me in classes, when I'm taking tests, or when I'm trying to have a conversation with someone and the noise just makes me want to punch something.
2. When people don't cover their cough/sneeze. You know when you're going to have one of those moments, so just grab a darn tissue or use the "Dracula" method (aka, cough into your elbow). It makes me want to wash my hands.
3. When people walk on their left on the sidewalk. I keep to the right; it's how traffic flows. I can't stand it when people are walking on the left while I'm walking on the right and then they expect me to move when they are so obviously wrong.
4. Revolving doors. I will avoid them at all costs. I think it may have something to do with #2, but then again it could just be a preference. Or claustrophobia.
5. When I do any of these things. Yes, I do annoy myself from time to time. The major offense is that I'll somehow end up on the left of the sidewalk and then chastise myself for it, but I hate when I fail to live up to the standard I set for myself and others.
So, now you know some stuff that bothers me. It was pretty easy to think of, so if you want more of my pet peeves, feel free to request them in the comments.
Today is awesome because I got some great grades back. DFTBA
Except for you. You are reading my 5 Annoyances blog, so you want to know what gets on my nerves. Here they are, in no particular order:
1. The sound of gum chewing. I cannot listen to the obnoxious squelchey lip smacking that accompanies gum chewing. It particularly bothers me in classes, when I'm taking tests, or when I'm trying to have a conversation with someone and the noise just makes me want to punch something.
2. When people don't cover their cough/sneeze. You know when you're going to have one of those moments, so just grab a darn tissue or use the "Dracula" method (aka, cough into your elbow). It makes me want to wash my hands.
3. When people walk on their left on the sidewalk. I keep to the right; it's how traffic flows. I can't stand it when people are walking on the left while I'm walking on the right and then they expect me to move when they are so obviously wrong.
4. Revolving doors. I will avoid them at all costs. I think it may have something to do with #2, but then again it could just be a preference. Or claustrophobia.
5. When I do any of these things. Yes, I do annoy myself from time to time. The major offense is that I'll somehow end up on the left of the sidewalk and then chastise myself for it, but I hate when I fail to live up to the standard I set for myself and others.
So, now you know some stuff that bothers me. It was pretty easy to think of, so if you want more of my pet peeves, feel free to request them in the comments.
Today is awesome because I got some great grades back. DFTBA
Monday, February 21, 2011
February 20, 2011: Going into an Anxious Week
This is going to be the most anxious week of the month. Why? It's course registration, and I can't sign up until Friday at 12:30. In the middle of a class. Woo hoo.
Why does making a course schedule have to be so stressful/difficult? There are so many classes to choose from, but I need to balance my schedule, and all the good ones will probably be full by the time I get to register. I know it'll work out eventually, but I've been playing with possible schedules for enough weeks that I just want it to be over. I literally have a document on my computer that has a list of the classes I would be willing to take and multiple tables that map out possible courseloads in a calendar style.
Let's start at the beginning. I have 12 distribution requirements; 2 courses in each of 6 areas. I have yet to declare my major, but I want to study Sociology. I also have some minors in mind, but those aren't definite yet. So, my schedule needs to advance both my degree and my distros. I also have to balance the difficulty and work involved in each of these classes because I like having a life outside of the school part of being at a university, for instance, I don't want to be stressed and crazy while I'm working on shows in the Spring.
This quarter, I decided that I wanted to take a class that needed a permission number in order to register. A week after I sent the e-mail requesting said permission number, I was informed that I am on the waiting list. This threw off my chances of achieving my ideal schedule. Now I'm going a little insane trying to choose classes that will fulfill requirements as well as be enjoyable. I really want to love my classes next quarter, and I want to love them enough that I'm not ready to move on to another set after week five of the quarter.
So, basically, I'm pretty much done with my work for Winter Quarter. No more discussion papers!! Just reading a Henry James novel, one chapter of Durkheim, one last set of discussion questions, 3 exams, and a paper. That's not as bad as it sounds. I just need to keep on track and focusing on the awesome without going insane about the classes I may or may not get into.
Today is awesome because I did laundry, wrote my last discussion paper of the quarter, and had my first ever production meeting. DFTBA
(and I realize that I blog after midnight and date my posts for the day that just passed. It's not tomorrow until after I sleep!)
Why does making a course schedule have to be so stressful/difficult? There are so many classes to choose from, but I need to balance my schedule, and all the good ones will probably be full by the time I get to register. I know it'll work out eventually, but I've been playing with possible schedules for enough weeks that I just want it to be over. I literally have a document on my computer that has a list of the classes I would be willing to take and multiple tables that map out possible courseloads in a calendar style.
Let's start at the beginning. I have 12 distribution requirements; 2 courses in each of 6 areas. I have yet to declare my major, but I want to study Sociology. I also have some minors in mind, but those aren't definite yet. So, my schedule needs to advance both my degree and my distros. I also have to balance the difficulty and work involved in each of these classes because I like having a life outside of the school part of being at a university, for instance, I don't want to be stressed and crazy while I'm working on shows in the Spring.
This quarter, I decided that I wanted to take a class that needed a permission number in order to register. A week after I sent the e-mail requesting said permission number, I was informed that I am on the waiting list. This threw off my chances of achieving my ideal schedule. Now I'm going a little insane trying to choose classes that will fulfill requirements as well as be enjoyable. I really want to love my classes next quarter, and I want to love them enough that I'm not ready to move on to another set after week five of the quarter.
So, basically, I'm pretty much done with my work for Winter Quarter. No more discussion papers!! Just reading a Henry James novel, one chapter of Durkheim, one last set of discussion questions, 3 exams, and a paper. That's not as bad as it sounds. I just need to keep on track and focusing on the awesome without going insane about the classes I may or may not get into.
Today is awesome because I did laundry, wrote my last discussion paper of the quarter, and had my first ever production meeting. DFTBA
(and I realize that I blog after midnight and date my posts for the day that just passed. It's not tomorrow until after I sleep!)
Saturday, February 19, 2011
February 19, 2011
I have decided that I am an athlete.
Now, as a good NFL alumna, I'm going to support this resolution.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, "athlete" is defined as, "One who by special training and exercise has acquired great physical strength." Done.
I was swimming yesterday, and one of the things I love about swimming is that I get time to live in my own head. So, I was thinking about my sports. The first thing that comes to mind is that I am a first degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Then I think of my experience through TKD in judo and hap ki do. I am a martial artist; no way around that.
But then I started thinking about how often I exercise and what I do. I am very strong: this comes from my martial arts training; but, I also have great endurance (I swam 50 lengths of the pool yesterday and 100 today. If that's not endurance, I don't know what is.). And I love to swim, but I don't consider myself a swimmer.
I also reflected on the fact that I go to the gym pretty much every day, and that's not an exaggeration. My usual workout is 30-40 minutes on the elliptical doing resistance intervals followed by 25 push-ups and 150 crunches.
I just never identify myself as an athlete. I think we attribute the label more to people who play and have played competitive sports throughout their lives. I am more of a theater/speech and debate/academic person than an athlete by this definition, and so I identify myself as such. Exhibit A: I, a black belt, just went to a meeting for a spring show that involves wrestling as a potential way to get my fight fix at school. Yes, things are desperate, but more importantly, the labels that I have been accepting limit the way I think about myself. I need to start thinking of myself as an athlete as well as a student and a performer and a techie and a speechie and a martial artist. I think the way we like to categorize things is usefully exclusive, but also harmfully so, because why can't a person you would identify with theater also be an athlete? And why would we choose one label over another?
I'm working to accept my membership in more categories, because inclusion is empowering, especially when you can determine whether or not you belong. When I realized that I actually am an athlete, it made me feel quite accomplished (and also kind of annoyed at myself that I hadn't taken the label sooner). I am proud of my physical abilities, but I am also proud of everything else that I do.
I am a student, a theater person, an NFL alumna, a black belt, a martial artist, a reader, a thinker, an athlete, and, most importantly, a person.
Today is awesome because of acceptance.
Now, as a good NFL alumna, I'm going to support this resolution.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, "athlete" is defined as, "One who by special training and exercise has acquired great physical strength." Done.
I was swimming yesterday, and one of the things I love about swimming is that I get time to live in my own head. So, I was thinking about my sports. The first thing that comes to mind is that I am a first degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Then I think of my experience through TKD in judo and hap ki do. I am a martial artist; no way around that.
But then I started thinking about how often I exercise and what I do. I am very strong: this comes from my martial arts training; but, I also have great endurance (I swam 50 lengths of the pool yesterday and 100 today. If that's not endurance, I don't know what is.). And I love to swim, but I don't consider myself a swimmer.
I also reflected on the fact that I go to the gym pretty much every day, and that's not an exaggeration. My usual workout is 30-40 minutes on the elliptical doing resistance intervals followed by 25 push-ups and 150 crunches.
I just never identify myself as an athlete. I think we attribute the label more to people who play and have played competitive sports throughout their lives. I am more of a theater/speech and debate/academic person than an athlete by this definition, and so I identify myself as such. Exhibit A: I, a black belt, just went to a meeting for a spring show that involves wrestling as a potential way to get my fight fix at school. Yes, things are desperate, but more importantly, the labels that I have been accepting limit the way I think about myself. I need to start thinking of myself as an athlete as well as a student and a performer and a techie and a speechie and a martial artist. I think the way we like to categorize things is usefully exclusive, but also harmfully so, because why can't a person you would identify with theater also be an athlete? And why would we choose one label over another?
I'm working to accept my membership in more categories, because inclusion is empowering, especially when you can determine whether or not you belong. When I realized that I actually am an athlete, it made me feel quite accomplished (and also kind of annoyed at myself that I hadn't taken the label sooner). I am proud of my physical abilities, but I am also proud of everything else that I do.
I am a student, a theater person, an NFL alumna, a black belt, a martial artist, a reader, a thinker, an athlete, and, most importantly, a person.
Today is awesome because of acceptance.
February 18, 2011
Yes, I know it's technically the 19th, but I'm still on Friday's schedule.
I find that I really like blogging. I can organize my thoughts, have written expression, and inform others about what goes on in my head. However, I find it extremely awkward when people read my blog in front of me. I like that people read it, I love when people comment, I just can't watch the reading.
I just wanted to share how great today was. I got up at 9:00. I went swimming; I swam 50 lengths; I have not lost any endurance after 3 months without regular swimming. I showered at the gym, which really was wonderful because I prefer the showers there to the ones in my dorm, oddly enough. I then participated in a psych study, got an unexpected 15-minute break to stop back at my room to ditch the swim stuff, then I had class, lunch, and class.
I went to the student center for the hour before my advising appointment, where I sat with a friend, which was really nice. Then, I realized that I pretty much had my life in order because I had no response to my adviser's question: "So, what are you worried about today?" I left feeling happily in control of my life.
Then I went straight to my Disney-themed event, which was a success, and apparently I play the guitar well. I knew I played decently, but I got a lot of compliments that made me feel good. After eating the dinner I helped cook, I went straight to an a capella show and then to a play that I just found out I was a production assistant for (I didn't know that I was a PA until I saw my name listed in the program. No joke. That was kind of weird. I also got a "special thanks." Recognition like that is a warm and fuzzy thing).
The play was amazing. The acting was wonderful; I loved that I believed that a 20-year-old student was actually 80-90 something years old. He kind of reminded me of my grandpa. I am still thinking about the content, but I can fully confirm that being an NFL member (that's the National Forensics League, sorry, I don't play football) is a mental illness. Every time I go to a show on campus that I've never seen before and there is a particularly great monologue, I think to myself, "that would be a great drama/humor (depending on the context) piece." I think eventually I'll start thinking differently.
Today was just full and busy and satisfying.
I also had a totally awesome dream last night. I dreamt that I was a super hero and my friend built me a DNA-specific hovercraft (aka only I could control it). All the super villains tried to steal it, but they couldn't because of the DNA specificity. And there were a cool-looking pair of black gloves that worked as a remote control. It was a great dream that inspired me all day.
Today is awesome because of super heroes, Buried Child, the weather, and feeling like I'm in control of my life. DFTBA!
I find that I really like blogging. I can organize my thoughts, have written expression, and inform others about what goes on in my head. However, I find it extremely awkward when people read my blog in front of me. I like that people read it, I love when people comment, I just can't watch the reading.
I just wanted to share how great today was. I got up at 9:00. I went swimming; I swam 50 lengths; I have not lost any endurance after 3 months without regular swimming. I showered at the gym, which really was wonderful because I prefer the showers there to the ones in my dorm, oddly enough. I then participated in a psych study, got an unexpected 15-minute break to stop back at my room to ditch the swim stuff, then I had class, lunch, and class.
I went to the student center for the hour before my advising appointment, where I sat with a friend, which was really nice. Then, I realized that I pretty much had my life in order because I had no response to my adviser's question: "So, what are you worried about today?" I left feeling happily in control of my life.
Then I went straight to my Disney-themed event, which was a success, and apparently I play the guitar well. I knew I played decently, but I got a lot of compliments that made me feel good. After eating the dinner I helped cook, I went straight to an a capella show and then to a play that I just found out I was a production assistant for (I didn't know that I was a PA until I saw my name listed in the program. No joke. That was kind of weird. I also got a "special thanks." Recognition like that is a warm and fuzzy thing).
The play was amazing. The acting was wonderful; I loved that I believed that a 20-year-old student was actually 80-90 something years old. He kind of reminded me of my grandpa. I am still thinking about the content, but I can fully confirm that being an NFL member (that's the National Forensics League, sorry, I don't play football) is a mental illness. Every time I go to a show on campus that I've never seen before and there is a particularly great monologue, I think to myself, "that would be a great drama/humor (depending on the context) piece." I think eventually I'll start thinking differently.
Today was just full and busy and satisfying.
I also had a totally awesome dream last night. I dreamt that I was a super hero and my friend built me a DNA-specific hovercraft (aka only I could control it). All the super villains tried to steal it, but they couldn't because of the DNA specificity. And there were a cool-looking pair of black gloves that worked as a remote control. It was a great dream that inspired me all day.
Today is awesome because of super heroes, Buried Child, the weather, and feeling like I'm in control of my life. DFTBA!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
February 17, 2011
I'm going to word vomit in this blog. I tend to start babbling at people in real life, which is bad because nobody should have to listen to my rants, so I'm going stream of consciousness right now.
1. Puppies. I don't know why, but I've been thinking about puppies a lot lately. Maybe I miss my dog. Maybe Gummy Bear has become a subliminal message. Maybe they shouldn't have been a mnemonic for my latest psych exam. I don't know or care. I like puppies.
2. DFTBA. I really like DFTBA and I wish more people understood/said it. It stands for Don't Forget To Be Awesome, which is a sentiment I think more people need to express and internalize. If you're being notsome, stop, and DFTBA.
3. Music makes me happy. I like to play instruments and sing and dance, and I finally got back to playing guitar. I'm playing Disney songs tomorrow at a student thing I'm part of, and I'm simultaneously nervous and excited. It will be the first time I play for anyone. But getting back to it has made me really happy and I like the personal fulfillment of making music.
4. Course registration. My advising appointment is tomorrow. I have yet to get the permission number to register for a certain class, and I sent that e-mail a few days ago. I'm also thinking of declaring a major before spring break, so I need to figure all of this out.
5. Psych Studies. I have to participate in 10 hours of lab experiments as a test subject for my Psych class, and these things are really boring. Apparently, our class is problematic because we can see through the deception and the experiments are problematic because none of them is particularly unique or interesting to participate in.
6. I really overthink things. I make myself crazy trying to anticipate (a) other people's motives for certain actions that are actually quite simple or (b) their opinions of me based on something I might say or do. I really like to know what's going on, so this is my coping strategy when I don't. I also tend to confess my overthinking and then explain myself to the person I'm concerned about, so that gets awkward, too.
7. Wow this blog is getting long and random.
8. Wow, my birthday is in 11 days. I've decided that every birthday should be some sort of milestone, so while 19 isn't a very exciting age at all, the milestone is that I am no longer an age when I could possibly be in high school. It's also going to be my first birthday at college, so that'll be fun. I'm looking forward to spending time with my friends in the middle of the week.
9. I try to stay really positive in life and especially in my posts, but lately I've been feeling a bit down. I think it's because I don't have a single activity eating my time when I get to be around an awesome group of people for an extended period, so the busy flitting is more stressful than I'm comfortable with.
10. The end of the quarter for me is going to be awesome. I have no final exams, so my last day of classes is March 7 (when I have two exams...blech). That week (reading week) is light load-in for WaaMu, so I get to spend my days hanging lights in my favorite theater on campus. Then I'm going to see a show that my friends are working on, go to a WaaMu party, and go home for TWO weeks of spring break rather than just one. It's exciting.
I'm going to stop writing now because this post is long enough and I have nothing else to say, except that I keep typing the word "because" wrong. I write "beacuse" and then have to go back and fix it. This has been going on for a few weeks now, so I need to brush up my typing skills.
Today is awesome because I learned a whole bunch of Disney songs and got to play my guitar for 2 hours!! DFTBA :)
1. Puppies. I don't know why, but I've been thinking about puppies a lot lately. Maybe I miss my dog. Maybe Gummy Bear has become a subliminal message. Maybe they shouldn't have been a mnemonic for my latest psych exam. I don't know or care. I like puppies.
2. DFTBA. I really like DFTBA and I wish more people understood/said it. It stands for Don't Forget To Be Awesome, which is a sentiment I think more people need to express and internalize. If you're being notsome, stop, and DFTBA.
3. Music makes me happy. I like to play instruments and sing and dance, and I finally got back to playing guitar. I'm playing Disney songs tomorrow at a student thing I'm part of, and I'm simultaneously nervous and excited. It will be the first time I play for anyone. But getting back to it has made me really happy and I like the personal fulfillment of making music.
4. Course registration. My advising appointment is tomorrow. I have yet to get the permission number to register for a certain class, and I sent that e-mail a few days ago. I'm also thinking of declaring a major before spring break, so I need to figure all of this out.
5. Psych Studies. I have to participate in 10 hours of lab experiments as a test subject for my Psych class, and these things are really boring. Apparently, our class is problematic because we can see through the deception and the experiments are problematic because none of them is particularly unique or interesting to participate in.
6. I really overthink things. I make myself crazy trying to anticipate (a) other people's motives for certain actions that are actually quite simple or (b) their opinions of me based on something I might say or do. I really like to know what's going on, so this is my coping strategy when I don't. I also tend to confess my overthinking and then explain myself to the person I'm concerned about, so that gets awkward, too.
7. Wow this blog is getting long and random.
8. Wow, my birthday is in 11 days. I've decided that every birthday should be some sort of milestone, so while 19 isn't a very exciting age at all, the milestone is that I am no longer an age when I could possibly be in high school. It's also going to be my first birthday at college, so that'll be fun. I'm looking forward to spending time with my friends in the middle of the week.
9. I try to stay really positive in life and especially in my posts, but lately I've been feeling a bit down. I think it's because I don't have a single activity eating my time when I get to be around an awesome group of people for an extended period, so the busy flitting is more stressful than I'm comfortable with.
10. The end of the quarter for me is going to be awesome. I have no final exams, so my last day of classes is March 7 (when I have two exams...blech). That week (reading week) is light load-in for WaaMu, so I get to spend my days hanging lights in my favorite theater on campus. Then I'm going to see a show that my friends are working on, go to a WaaMu party, and go home for TWO weeks of spring break rather than just one. It's exciting.
I'm going to stop writing now because this post is long enough and I have nothing else to say, except that I keep typing the word "because" wrong. I write "beacuse" and then have to go back and fix it. This has been going on for a few weeks now, so I need to brush up my typing skills.
Today is awesome because I learned a whole bunch of Disney songs and got to play my guitar for 2 hours!! DFTBA :)
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
February 15, 2011
Sometimes, I feel like people I e-mail with aren't real. I mean, I know they have to be real people to send the e-mail in the first place, but when I finally meet them, it's weird. And then, when I get an e-mail from someone and then I see them shortly after it's all exciting and I want to say, "I just got an e-mail from you!" Is this just me, or do you feel excited when you see/meet internet/e-mail people in real life?
And then there are all the layers that go into textual correspondence nowadays. A text message implies urgency and the need for an immediate reply. A public post on a a social networking site is the least formal way of communicating; it says "I'm thinking of you and want to casually say hi." A private message on the same site would relate to a more personal sentiment that takes thought and consideration. The most formal yet is an e-mail, but there are even intricacies to that. If I send something from my university e-mail address, I am identifying myself as a student of the university and leading with that credential. I have two personal e-mail addresses: one for formal things and then my AOL, and nobody uses AOL anymore, so it's kind of irrelevant at this point. An e-mail says that you are taking time to write as formally as possible yet still have immediate delivery of the message.
Anyway, I've just been thinking a lot about the current electronic culture lately. It hit me when I was at a play and everyone immediately pulled out their phones during intermission that we are completely dependent on our instant communication. I don't think this is a bad thing because I love the internet and texting and my smart phone; who wouldn't? I just feel the need to moderate myself so that I can enjoy being with live people in the moment rather than the virtual people I can get to later.
Today is awesome because my life is so organized right now! DFTBA
And then there are all the layers that go into textual correspondence nowadays. A text message implies urgency and the need for an immediate reply. A public post on a a social networking site is the least formal way of communicating; it says "I'm thinking of you and want to casually say hi." A private message on the same site would relate to a more personal sentiment that takes thought and consideration. The most formal yet is an e-mail, but there are even intricacies to that. If I send something from my university e-mail address, I am identifying myself as a student of the university and leading with that credential. I have two personal e-mail addresses: one for formal things and then my AOL, and nobody uses AOL anymore, so it's kind of irrelevant at this point. An e-mail says that you are taking time to write as formally as possible yet still have immediate delivery of the message.
Anyway, I've just been thinking a lot about the current electronic culture lately. It hit me when I was at a play and everyone immediately pulled out their phones during intermission that we are completely dependent on our instant communication. I don't think this is a bad thing because I love the internet and texting and my smart phone; who wouldn't? I just feel the need to moderate myself so that I can enjoy being with live people in the moment rather than the virtual people I can get to later.
Today is awesome because my life is so organized right now! DFTBA
February 14, 2011: The Great StuCo Valentine's Day Miracle of 2011
Tonight, something amazing happened. I had been helping at a show today (the usual for my Mondays; I actually have fun going to hang out and be a general helper just to pass the time), and before the cast came in, they realized that the set was placed incorrectly and hitting lights. The production team contacted everybody in student theater to issue a call to come together at 11:00 to move the entire set. We pushed a huge set so that it would be in the right place.
This sounds stupid. I mean, why move the set? And why get everyone involved? It was just a massive undertaking and a heavy bit of construction, so the hands were necessary. But why was it amazing? Because everyone came to help. Each and every person there had his or her own life/work/show going on and they came out to help another production. The spirit of teamwork and concern among all who participated was just the coolest thing to be a part of. I love being a part of something bigger than myself; it's a huge part of what I like about theater, the internet, the university, and life. Tonight was just made of awesome.
In other news, my life is coming together and getting organized. I'm almost through with winter quarter, and I register for spring classes next week. I've got big plans for the spring, more on that later, and my only final got moved so I get to go home a week earlier for spring break. There are a lot of little things going on right now, so I'm just flitting about to get through these last few weeks before the term ends.
Today is totally awesome because of teamwork and being part of something bigger than myself.
This sounds stupid. I mean, why move the set? And why get everyone involved? It was just a massive undertaking and a heavy bit of construction, so the hands were necessary. But why was it amazing? Because everyone came to help. Each and every person there had his or her own life/work/show going on and they came out to help another production. The spirit of teamwork and concern among all who participated was just the coolest thing to be a part of. I love being a part of something bigger than myself; it's a huge part of what I like about theater, the internet, the university, and life. Tonight was just made of awesome.
In other news, my life is coming together and getting organized. I'm almost through with winter quarter, and I register for spring classes next week. I've got big plans for the spring, more on that later, and my only final got moved so I get to go home a week earlier for spring break. There are a lot of little things going on right now, so I'm just flitting about to get through these last few weeks before the term ends.
Today is totally awesome because of teamwork and being part of something bigger than myself.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
February 9, 2011
After that month of daily blogging, weekly posts feel so far apart. I think there's also the influence of weeks feeling far apart. To me, an upside of keeping busy is that time seems to move faster so that my life doesn't lag in an annoying way.
In my life, I've been chugging along through classes, hanging out at StuCo builds, and settling back into other student groups that Ragtime commitment interfered with. I'm stepping into some leadership roles, which is awesome because the current leaders singled me out to move up in the group. It's really nice to be recognized.
In theater news, I've been randomly showing up to groups' builds to help out and pass the time. I'm meeting a lot of great people and doing something I love in an awesome community. Last Friday, my friend David and I went to the hardware store and I got a wrench. I'm so excited about this. All of my tech stuff (gloves, flashlight, wrench, sharpie) is black and red, which is just sleek. I carry it all in a pack that I keep in my backpack so I can have it whenever I want it. In the Spring, I'm officially working on two shows and officially showing up to learn at a third. I will be Assistant Lighting Designing (ALD) WaaMu and Master Electrician for Into the Woods. My official hanging out will be at a dance show, where I will be shadowing a student designer and making him explain the design process to me so I can learn.
In school news, classes for next quarter have been posted, and I've got some tough decisions to make. I hope I can get into all of the classes I want, particularly because I'm going to start taking 300-level courses. They're getting small, so I hope there's a seat for me by the time I get to enroll. This quarter is still going well. I'm in round two of assessments, then I have a quieter couple of weeks, and then the final exams will be upon me. However, only one of my classes has a final during finals week, so once I get to reading week, things should be calm and awesome.
Fun story about class: I'm taking a religion class that is about defining religion. We did a chapter on death and mourning using Emile Durkheim's writing on piacular rites. In this class, we have a standing extra credit assignment to do a short writeup relating the course topic to something in art, literature, music, film, etc. I chose to write about Dumbledore's funeral in terms of Durkheim, which was actually kind of fun. The professor chose to use my example in class. The class is a bit awkward now because I'm known for the Harry Potter stuff, and my secret fandom identity has been exposed, but I'm so glad to have gotten 4.5 free points on my midterm. I randomly saw one of our TAs in the student center, and he brought up the assignment weeks after it was presented. So, yeah...awkward...
I really feel settled and happy at my university this quarter. Everything is falling into place, I have an academic and a social life, and I'm filling my time with fun activities.
Not much else to report...I've got a list of topics going that I want to write about, so there will be more brain dump type posts soon. And I haven't really been taking the time to play my guitar...it's still sitting in my room and I get to it about weekly, but I'm not learning any new songs at the moment.
Today is awesome because one of my classes got randomly canceled, so I gained an entire hour of studying for tomorrow's exam!
In my life, I've been chugging along through classes, hanging out at StuCo builds, and settling back into other student groups that Ragtime commitment interfered with. I'm stepping into some leadership roles, which is awesome because the current leaders singled me out to move up in the group. It's really nice to be recognized.
In theater news, I've been randomly showing up to groups' builds to help out and pass the time. I'm meeting a lot of great people and doing something I love in an awesome community. Last Friday, my friend David and I went to the hardware store and I got a wrench. I'm so excited about this. All of my tech stuff (gloves, flashlight, wrench, sharpie) is black and red, which is just sleek. I carry it all in a pack that I keep in my backpack so I can have it whenever I want it. In the Spring, I'm officially working on two shows and officially showing up to learn at a third. I will be Assistant Lighting Designing (ALD) WaaMu and Master Electrician for Into the Woods. My official hanging out will be at a dance show, where I will be shadowing a student designer and making him explain the design process to me so I can learn.
In school news, classes for next quarter have been posted, and I've got some tough decisions to make. I hope I can get into all of the classes I want, particularly because I'm going to start taking 300-level courses. They're getting small, so I hope there's a seat for me by the time I get to enroll. This quarter is still going well. I'm in round two of assessments, then I have a quieter couple of weeks, and then the final exams will be upon me. However, only one of my classes has a final during finals week, so once I get to reading week, things should be calm and awesome.
Fun story about class: I'm taking a religion class that is about defining religion. We did a chapter on death and mourning using Emile Durkheim's writing on piacular rites. In this class, we have a standing extra credit assignment to do a short writeup relating the course topic to something in art, literature, music, film, etc. I chose to write about Dumbledore's funeral in terms of Durkheim, which was actually kind of fun. The professor chose to use my example in class. The class is a bit awkward now because I'm known for the Harry Potter stuff, and my secret fandom identity has been exposed, but I'm so glad to have gotten 4.5 free points on my midterm. I randomly saw one of our TAs in the student center, and he brought up the assignment weeks after it was presented. So, yeah...awkward...
I really feel settled and happy at my university this quarter. Everything is falling into place, I have an academic and a social life, and I'm filling my time with fun activities.
Not much else to report...I've got a list of topics going that I want to write about, so there will be more brain dump type posts soon. And I haven't really been taking the time to play my guitar...it's still sitting in my room and I get to it about weekly, but I'm not learning any new songs at the moment.
Today is awesome because one of my classes got randomly canceled, so I gained an entire hour of studying for tomorrow's exam!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
February 2, 2011
I guess I should write my reflections on the show now that it's getting to be old news (as in, strike was three days ago). For the record, the show was Ragtime. I don't think I've named it yet, but I'm tired of calling it "the show."
So, I learned a LOT during this process, and I didn't really realize it until we took everything apart. Practically, I learned what the instruments are, how to hang lights, cable an electric, label the cable, clove-hitch knot, cut gel, load/unload gel scrollers, focus lights, use a genie, use the fly rail, communicate effectively with the rest of the technical team (as in, shouting "heads" if I drop something), and work the ion (a really awesome and intelligent light board). I've also gotten a lot more comfortable with heights from working in the genie, on ladders, and in the box booms and cove, and I have better awareness of the space around my body.
This week, I've been hanging around the build for another student theater production, and when the lighting designer (who I hadn't met until I randomly showed up) gave me instructions, I knew what to do. I didn't realize or appreciate how much instruction I got during the Ragtime process until I applied my knowledge in a new setting. What Ragtime did in two weeks, this new show had to do in two days, so there wasn't enough time to fully instruct each newbie on how to do each task. However, I apparently went from working on the most professional student production to helping create the sketchiest rig for hanging a light (we literally tied milk crates to a table), and the scale of the productions is just totally different because of the performance spaces.
Other personal changes as a result of Ragtime include getting into student theater in general, changing my sleep schedule (I never made it a habit of staying up until 5AM two consecutive Saturdays...maybe that was a mistake? But it was a fun mistake), carrying supplies for builds in my everyday backpack, making an effort to do my reading outside my dorm room, I met a whole bunch more people, and I now think like a lighting person. The word focus makes me think of moving the barrel of a Source Four and I am tempted to climb mysterious ladders. I also have changed my risk assessment criteria. For example, I'm fairly comfortable focusing a light while atop a big scary ladder or standing on the ledge of a balcony. Does theater make me stupid? I think so. I also decided that a really good book to write in the future would be entitled "Tales from the Tech Table" and would consist of fun anecdotes from a bunch of shows the author has worked on.
In other news, I'm going to be the Master Electrician (ME) for a show in May, so that's exciting because I'm working under Ragtime's ME and I get a fancy title. We had a snow day in college, which I never expected to happen, but as a result a midterm got postponed. I'm getting my own wrench on Friday and I'm super psyched to have my own that I can set up with a clip and some phone cord to use for eternity on every show I work on in any capacity. And I got to play my guitar today, which I haven't done for a while because I've been busy.
So, yeah...life is good. I'm keeping busy doing things I love.
Today is awesome because I got to relax and ride out the snowpocalypse in a very cozy dorm room :)
So, I learned a LOT during this process, and I didn't really realize it until we took everything apart. Practically, I learned what the instruments are, how to hang lights, cable an electric, label the cable, clove-hitch knot, cut gel, load/unload gel scrollers, focus lights, use a genie, use the fly rail, communicate effectively with the rest of the technical team (as in, shouting "heads" if I drop something), and work the ion (a really awesome and intelligent light board). I've also gotten a lot more comfortable with heights from working in the genie, on ladders, and in the box booms and cove, and I have better awareness of the space around my body.
This week, I've been hanging around the build for another student theater production, and when the lighting designer (who I hadn't met until I randomly showed up) gave me instructions, I knew what to do. I didn't realize or appreciate how much instruction I got during the Ragtime process until I applied my knowledge in a new setting. What Ragtime did in two weeks, this new show had to do in two days, so there wasn't enough time to fully instruct each newbie on how to do each task. However, I apparently went from working on the most professional student production to helping create the sketchiest rig for hanging a light (we literally tied milk crates to a table), and the scale of the productions is just totally different because of the performance spaces.
Other personal changes as a result of Ragtime include getting into student theater in general, changing my sleep schedule (I never made it a habit of staying up until 5AM two consecutive Saturdays...maybe that was a mistake? But it was a fun mistake), carrying supplies for builds in my everyday backpack, making an effort to do my reading outside my dorm room, I met a whole bunch more people, and I now think like a lighting person. The word focus makes me think of moving the barrel of a Source Four and I am tempted to climb mysterious ladders. I also have changed my risk assessment criteria. For example, I'm fairly comfortable focusing a light while atop a big scary ladder or standing on the ledge of a balcony. Does theater make me stupid? I think so. I also decided that a really good book to write in the future would be entitled "Tales from the Tech Table" and would consist of fun anecdotes from a bunch of shows the author has worked on.
In other news, I'm going to be the Master Electrician (ME) for a show in May, so that's exciting because I'm working under Ragtime's ME and I get a fancy title. We had a snow day in college, which I never expected to happen, but as a result a midterm got postponed. I'm getting my own wrench on Friday and I'm super psyched to have my own that I can set up with a clip and some phone cord to use for eternity on every show I work on in any capacity. And I got to play my guitar today, which I haven't done for a while because I've been busy.
So, yeah...life is good. I'm keeping busy doing things I love.
Today is awesome because I got to relax and ride out the snowpocalypse in a very cozy dorm room :)
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
February 1, 2011
Happy February!!
That is all. Now to survive the snowpocalypse. SNOMG!
Today is awesome because I was super productive and happy.
That is all. Now to survive the snowpocalypse. SNOMG!
Today is awesome because I was super productive and happy.
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