Blogging Around: Metacognitions

Marika had a similar opinion to myself, in that the blogging assignment was something we weren't sure of at first, but started liking after we gave it a shot. Blogging was something we would not want to have missed out on; next year sophomores should be able to try it out. I thought her suggestion for being able to propose prompts was great, and could bring a new wave of excitement to the project.

Hey Marika!
You have a similar opinion to mine of this year's blogging experience. It came off as a little lame when I heard about it, but did form as a good self expression when implemented. You mention being able to suggest prompts? I love this idea but was wondering if you had any specifically in mind when you wrote this. Was there anything you wanted to write about or in a different style you didn't have a chance to?
Good job! - Alyssa Z


I also commented on Kate H's blog. I found her's extremely interesting, for my biggest disadvantage to the blogs was her favorite part. It made me wonder if there was any way to find a compromise, or other solution so those who want to be heard can, but those who don't will be happy. Her other points were otherwise similar to mine, which made the one difference stick out even more.

Kate -
Although we do agree that overall blogging was a good experience, and even that it took a little bit of a time to figure out a balance in pretty words and deep thinking (I put much more thought into the rhythm of my words than content at the beginning), we disagree when it comes to 'being heard.' That was one of the more negative aspects for me because I didn't want to come of as 'stupid' or unintelligent. I see your point, but do you have any suggestions that would meet both of us half way?
Great ideas -Alyssa

Metacognition: Blogging

My generation’s diary. When Mr. Allen originally told us his plans for us to have our own blog, I thought it was slightly ridiculous (no offense). I don’t like to ‘write down my feelings’ or sit reflecting on one miniscule detail to death. I’m not sure if this is because I can second guess those ‘deep thoughts’ I have, and wouldn’t want to publicize them or perhaps because my mind can work on such a tangent, I’d be thinking of a different thought before I finished typing the first sentence. Although these worries dissipated some, it is still the first thing I would address if I were to present the blogs to a future academy class. This does not have to be some gushy spiel, the structure was as strict as you made it. The nice thing about the blogs was there was a format and guidelines to spark point of views and ideas, but it wasn’t a strict writing requirement. I had the freedom to take whichever direction the subject led me to taking. I think it is important to continue this formatting, allowing the blogging prompts, but the rest of each personal blog up to the writer. I think the overall ideas of the blog were good, and should be continued. It lets some of the quieter students show their understanding and insight to the teacher, and upon writing I have found myself reaching a higher apprehension of what happened. I’m not particularly found of my thinking or my blog, but have reached some interesting tid bits here and there which still makes me think this is a good idea. The issue I still struggle with is being able to have others read my blog, which is one of the better aspects as well. It’s a battle trusting myself to speak my opinion knowing anyone can read it, but it’s a privilege being able to read my truly gifted classmate’s blogs. What I keep circling back to, is making sure theirs a high level of comfort with being able to share your opinions.


*As a side note. The save now option for blogging has failed me multiple times. I would just briefly mention the idea of typing it out on a word document, then copy and pasting it to the blog.

Best of week: One can live

The last page of Life & Times of Michael K, ends with the phrase ‘one can live.’ Discussing the implications of this on the book and how it is as a closure was the best discussion I participated in this week.
I felt myself agreeing and looking at the same paragraph in multiple ways as different people expressed their opinions. One way to view it was dependant on how you defined ‘live.’ Live can be literal as in survival, or it can be along the lines of having a fulfilling life. It’s always a humbling fact to think about all the different ways something can be interpreted, and it can all be right. Discussions often involve a factor of this, and being able to come away with different conclusions but understanding the other point of view can be largely helpful in future negations and a career. This can indicate when to yield, and when to acknowledge someone else’s ideas and opinions. The point that I did not think of until someone mentioned it, was Michael providing for himself. He was dependant thoughout the book, starting with his dependence on his mother in part one. Eventually this evolves into Michael being able to sustain his own life, even leading others. Michael became a leader in this society, all symbolized by this one teaspoon and phrase.

360 degrees: Accountability

Bare with me in the few sentences I will disperse debate jargon unto you. Policy debate is a fast-paced, research based, activity that allows competition in an academic field. Certain rules, regulations, ethical values are expected and upheld in order for debate to survive and thrive. Recently there was a question of immorality of piece of evidence written by a debate coach. This is controversial because it is a rewarded skill to be able to research in debate, and ‘fabricating evidence’ means that you could write the perfect thing to say, ensuring your win. Who is responsible – the coach or the team? If it wasn’t used, does it still need repercussions?
One question I ask when it comes to accountability is was there any damage done? A potential for damage? Was the potential for damage damage in itself? The controversy over the potential damages of this article could get someone fired for an example. Should we then hold someone responsible if no harm was committed? How does someone draw the line in what needs repercussions and what even is an honest mistake. Do intentions ever calculate into punishment, or perception? What would be more punishable – someone with good intentions who accidently commits a felony, or a malicious line of thinking that was interrupted where they never committed an illegal act?

Metacognition Take Two: Jane Eyre Writing Assignment

The Jane Eyre writing assignment was different, which simply meant there were some good things and bad, we wouldn’t have otherwise run into.
One thing that we should not have tried to do is complete 90% of the project the entire Wednesday we did not have school. It was one of the few options because of everyone’s schedule, but it did not make us very efficient when we tried to work. I thought it was nice, our method, because we alternated who typed on the computer, which may or may not have helped writers block. The third person (because we only had two laptops available) would overlook the others’ work, and help look for useful quotes and their page numbers. We had multiple quotes from what Mitchell and I found the Friday in lab we were given to work, but once we started writing, we realized there were certain quotes that would fit perfectly that we remembered. That really surprised me actually, that after awhile, this dialogue started writing itself in a way. It started out broad enough, each of us in our group not sure what we were planning on saying; however, we soon found we developed characters that had their own opinions and responses.
Over all I thought this project was an interesting change of pace from the drab old essays. Especially in a group project, it allowed different writers with different voices, produce a coherent piece. My writing sounds different from both Mitchell and Stephanie, which may mean I could write more Charlotte lines, while they wrote Jane and the Acadakid. This made it much easier to have equally divided work, come together as one, as opposed to one essay with three different writing styles alternating every two or so lines. The down side versus the alternative was the ending was much more difficult. The only way we end discussion in class in my mind, is when Mr.Allen is calling for the north kids to catch the bus. We couldn’t end like that, but we couldn’t end with a sappy cliché. That would have ruined all our work. We did our best to give some closure, while not allowing each character to lose their belief. I would have liked how to go over that part a little more during class, but in the end, it’s done and I’m pleased enough with it.

Metacognition: Short Stories

Beginning, Middle, End. What every short story, or even stories in general, require. Even my most beloved television show about nothing, Seinfeld, has a plot behind every story, a twist or absurdity from generic day to day life. My fear is this is what I’m lacking. I wanted to capture the awkwardness of life situations, such as an elevator ride, and provide just an alternative view on the emotions everyone feels. I find beauty in the stories that can suspend the readers predispositions; my attempt was to force the readers to not judge people, acknowledge the pain certain characters can feel, evoke empathy. I was involved in trying to create characters that I didn’t let any outside harm touch them. My story is stuck without much evolving pressure or situation to throw them off course, and frankly, I’m not sure how to do this to them at this point. What I would like, is to be able to not cling to what I have written. Where it stands for whatever reason I cannot open it up to be susceptible to an event. I’m surprised I would be so attached to certain aspects considering I do not like my story. I know the only way I will like it is to allow it to be changed in this way, I’m just in a predicament.

iMedia: Apeman2 - The song

iMedia: Apeman

I shall hopefully be brief, because I don’t want to waste my day when my long lengthy blog wouldn’t post, and blogger decided to delete my saves…. For this reason I will also post the video in a separate post, because I didn’t have problems until I tried to include the media.

Apeman, by the Kinks, is one of those seventies songs that includes one word for the title which the lyrics had repeated a good dozen or so times. Lightweight, slow song that is easy to follow along to. How hard is it to memorize the chorus?:

“I'm an ape man, I'm an ape ape man
I'm an ape man I'm a king kong man I'm ape ape man
I'm an ape man”

*Now would be a good time to listen to the song in the other post. :]

A personal reason I like it is because it not only conveys a message I enjoy, but the means of getting the message across enacts it. Like what we learned about literature, there are words that when spoken, sound like their definition. The tempo and lyrics are relaxing and slow, just like how we have to slow down and enjoy life. Singing and dancing along, I forget a little about the homework I have to do and role in society I have to fill (dependent and me doing this blog, to get the grades, to go to college, to get a job). It’s a song I can just revert back too.

Probably the most universal aspect of this song is the criticism of human kind. We think we’re so “civilized” that we’re doing the world more good than harm. We’re more sophisticated than the other animals such as gorillas and elephants. The song contests this by saying “I am an apeman.” When it comes to comparison to nature or the sun, we will always be uncivilized. Even if we think that we are doing good by recycling or planting trees, we must not forget who creates the trash and cuts down the trees in the first place. We have lost our connection to nature.

“I think I'm so educated and I'm so civilized
cos I'm a strict vegetarian
But with the over-population and inflation and starvation
And the crazy politicians
I dont feel safe in this world no more
I dont want to die in a nuclear war
I want to sail away to a distant shore
and make like an ape man”

The above stanza from the song, captures most of the criticism. The irony, that we think we are the best for this earth, while we destroy it. The Kinks talk about wishing to go back where they can relax and swing in the trees. De-evolution. When man was one with nature, and away from an industrialized society on the run. Why, you say this is living like a primate? You’re the one living like an apeman, it can’t be any worse that that.

Dialectic: Winning and Success

After being a quarter finalist and awarded fifth best speaker in the junior varsity division at the Illinois state debate tournament, heck, I won a few rounds. Was I successful? I didn’t consider myself to be in the slightest.

The two friends I had been defeated by in the elimination round concluded the opposite; I did better than expected even though I lost my last round.

This dialectic, made me curious about the delineation between the two. They are words that surely everyone has some different setting where they would consider one would be more appropriately used than the other. I just couldn’t place my finger on why, or how. I started with looking them up, to have a base work for each.

To win: “to finish first in a race, contest, or the like”

Success: “The achievement of something desired, planned, or attempted”

Success is something I desire, what I aim for, my goal. Arguably, most people want to win. They share a similar common aspiration, to be the best. What made this dialectic for me, over interchangeable synonyms, is when your personal desires run deeper than a simple win. I didn’t think I was successful because I felt the wins I had were shallow. I debated teams that were not very good, making a win easy but did not confirm that I had any debate talent myself (these teams were bad, and I wouldn’t just say that). Even though I technically won a few rounds, it was not what I wanted. I wanted to feel like a good debater; that even if the other team was one of the best in the state, I could overcome it all to beat them. What must have made my friends conclude the opposite is I did do better than many kids at the tournament. Not everyone can be a quarterfinalist, only eight teams. I haven’t even done very well this year, meaning I exceeded expectations which were true. I succeeded because I broke, which was what I originally wanted, even though I lost my last round knocking me out from eliminations.

To succeed is to achieve what you want. To win is being better in a round, or event, than the competition. Many times they may reach the same ends, but when they don’t, is what makes us so complex.

Blogging Around: 3-3-2009 - A day late b/c I hate the internet

I started out replying to Mitch Hochberg's post on Best of the Week: Onion Skins. I found it interesting because I chose the same best of the week; however, Mitch had a slightly different inside and was effected in a different way as well. The underlying goal has the same purpose though, people have mamy layers, we should be tolerant of all of them.

"MITCH!
I think you should give yourself more credit; I know you atleast tolerate my many layers of being loud and annoying, and quiet and shy. However, I do like how you embrace this change by trying to be more understanding. I found it interesting how having this discussion in class had a different effect on you than when you watched shrek. The link included helped you go an extra step in connecting your concept to the reader. Good job. :]"


I also posted on Stephanie's Best of the week, the short story Boys. I loved reading this short story in class, so it was interesting to be reminded of the lessons we went over, and how she will apply them.

"Stephanie love - this is great!! I felt that you really captured some of the techniques we went over and learned in class. I loved hearing how you will encorporate this in your short story. It reminded me of all the opportunities we are presented with to apply what we learn in class. There's a point to Mr. Allen's madness!! I look forward to reading this story now. (And the way you had multiple reasons behind your best of the week was nice analysis)."

Best of the Week: Onions

I thought the best of the week was the symbolism Mr. Allen brought to our attention in Cathedral. Specifically, the scene where our narrator brought out the brown paper bag with onion skins on the bottom. I would have never analyzied it in any significant way until Mr.Allen mentioned it, which is why I particularily liked it. It not only fit the story and brought more understanding of the narrator's change to myself, but it reminded me of the importance of active reading for all stories. As I read Stone Boy, I was more attentive for this similar epiphany.

The figurative analysis on the onion peels were representative of the many layers our narrator has. He sheds some of the outer, harsher predispositions when he makes a connection on drawing and recreating the cathedral with the blind man. Its the turning point in the short story, as this moment when he gets the brown bag, is when he begins to understand.

What If: I couldn't describe you

What if there were no words, no descriptors or modifiers, that captured how I felt. What if I met you, and you were like nothing else in this world?

In "I was trying to describe you to someone," by Richard Brautigan, the speaker met someone of no other persona. For every other stranger he located a twin or duplicate, but this one woman was unique beyond words. His resulting attempt to describe her was recreating the feeling he felt when he watched a movie about farmers receiving electricity. What if I got that feeling? Such strong emotion that words were'nt adequate; nothing short of recreating a feeling was. Would I have the courage to maintain a conversation lasting over 5minutes? If such a person existed, I would be scared. I would not want to anger or bother them, that I would avoid talking to them in the first place. My feelings would be captulated in one mess of confusion, never knowing what I thought or felt. I would have to run back to my college friend and enlist her help. Why, I can't quite describe him... he just reminds me of when... She would listen as I rambled in circles. Always talkative, surely I would find some coherent phrases that would describe him? But what if...

If I was speechless, at a loss for words, I would find an alternative. I would name every scene associated with the feeling I felt. And hopefully, I would be getting a call later.

Connection: Heart of Darkness and Dreams

"I perceived she was one of those creatures that are not the playthings of Time. For her he had died only yesterday. And by Jove, the impression was so powerful that for me too he seemed to have died only yesterday - nay, this very minute." -Heart of Darkness, p 74.

Fragmentary time. Post modernism. The power of life and when it's gone. In a sense, Heart of Darkness and postmodernism reminded me of a dream, or more specifically dreaming. Time is more of a concept than a structure as it is in 'real life.' In dreams you can be any age, and events can happen at any sequence. Most importantly, you can experience things from a year ago for the very first time, in the same way you do with death. Something so untangable, so unthinkable and powerful, can distort and fragment time. Death can make life a dream because of one's state of disbelief. Consequentially, a death of a love one is reocurring in dreams for some.
Dreams are also powerful in that people are captivated within them during their existence. You don't know a dream is 'fake' until you wake up. Death can trick the mind in the same way. What is real, what is actually happening? Have you ever been to a funeral and couldn't fathom how life could do this?

The above quote illustrated the power of death and life. Within in those few lines, it captured all I felt when I lost a love one. I want to keep it at that. It keeps the most complicated components and twists in life simple. Comparing it to a dream, means I can wake up and control whats inside...