Great work everyone! Happy Rough Drafts!
Brandon: You really had a clear obsession with the game growing up. It was great to see you explore your relationship with the game and it was clear you had a wealth of knowledge. I felt the perspective you were coming from kept shifting throughout the piece, which created a unique flow. Although sometimes it created a bit of confusion. I love that the game really created a bond between you and your friends. Its clear that it meant something a twinge bit more to you all than a game. I like that you worked with comics, but I couldn't actually access it. I don't want to give you insincere feedback so all I can really say is go you for taking that risk!
Chlesee:
I respect your choice in writing not drawing. I made the same one, and am glad you took that risk too. The quote you used near the end of the blog really offered support for you and the reader as well. I think you could dive more into your journey with nursing school and this career path. It seems to have really shaped you and I'd love to hear more. The blog about the truck so was great. I loved seeing the child in you still be apart of you as an adult. I think this really captured apart of your personality. You repeated the word "truck" a lot and it added to the obsessive mindset. It also really emphasized your obsession for the reader.
Leena:Your blog about faith was extremely eloquent and left me wanting so much more. I think you could really dive into what happened to change your faith, maybe not a specific point but just how it came unraveled. I think you have a great, realistic outlook on the development of your faith and that is clear in this post. Write more. Always do! You really captured the nagging desire that kids have when they really want something. It was so great and made me laugh. I really loved that you used pink to add extra character to the piece. Both of these posts really showcased your range of ability with writing.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
La rad's stickers
Ummmm. Okm so I got these stickers in class today because the art teacher came in cause when I go up to forth grade next year I get to do arts and crafts. She brought in stcikers for all of us and I got blue construction paper. Everyone got a different color and
umm
she told us we got to take these stickers and put them however we liked on the paper and everyone had different stickers. Jessica next to me had animel stickers and they were really cool cayse I sawe the ducks and ducks are may favorite animel. Mine are glitter stars…which I really like
Cause there all different sizes and I started
Putting mine at the top of the paper to make a sky. So I made my sky and um and ummm and and umm all of the big stars were one side
All the little stars were on the other side and I thought about showing my mom cause she showed me the north star
One time
And
And I
Was abot to finish with all my stickers and she came around with new stickers. I didn’t add the new stickers cause some people ripped them open. But she told us to save them and not to open them cause we had to go home and do the same thing. With the stickers she gave. And then we were gonna bring that back to class next Tuesday.
umm
she told us we got to take these stickers and put them however we liked on the paper and everyone had different stickers. Jessica next to me had animel stickers and they were really cool cayse I sawe the ducks and ducks are may favorite animel. Mine are glitter stars…which I really like
Cause there all different sizes and I started
Putting mine at the top of the paper to make a sky. So I made my sky and um and ummm and and umm all of the big stars were one side
All the little stars were on the other side and I thought about showing my mom cause she showed me the north star
One time
And
And I
Was abot to finish with all my stickers and she came around with new stickers. I didn’t add the new stickers cause some people ripped them open. But she told us to save them and not to open them cause we had to go home and do the same thing. With the stickers she gave. And then we were gonna bring that back to class next Tuesday.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
She who taught me.
We were never blood related but we were connected at the soul.
I never really had a faith of my own but I always thought I wanted one.
I spent every summer at church camp but I was always to preoccupied with boys so I never though much of faith.
This year, my parents decided to let my brother drive my sister and I up.
I was in the car.
I read the message.
My eyes filled with tears and my brother immediately pulled over.
I had starting dancing when I was three but it never was anything of importance to me. My mom forced me to go so I did it. I never noticed how much I loved it until I met her. She taught me how much I loved to dance. She taught me what a role model was. She taught me.
The only thing the message read was this “Danica died last night”.
In that moment everything around me stopped making sense and couldn’t have possibly been real.
She was only 22.
I was only 17.
We had known each other for years, but in the past 2 she had taken me under her wings. She was the first person to believe in me and make me understand how to believe in myself. She recognized how much I loved to dance before I even knew it.
My parents and I decided it was best for me to go to camp for the next week and they’d pick me up early for her funeral if it was necessary.
The next week was a blur because nothing around me actually made any sort of sense.
But for the first time in my life, I actually understood what faith was about.
We started teaching together the following year.
Danica moved me to all the advance dance levels.
She was who I wanted to be, but more importantly she was my friend.
Faith started to become about love, strength, and comfort for me.
I prayed for these things everyday for the next year.
I dance for these things still today.
After she was gone she kept teaching me.
I wouldn’t be dancing without her.
I wouldn’t be who I am without her.
I find faith in inspiration.
I find faith every time I dance.
I find faith every time I create.
I find faith every time I remember her.
I never really had a faith of my own but I always thought I wanted one.
I spent every summer at church camp but I was always to preoccupied with boys so I never though much of faith.
This year, my parents decided to let my brother drive my sister and I up.
I was in the car.
I read the message.
My eyes filled with tears and my brother immediately pulled over.
I had starting dancing when I was three but it never was anything of importance to me. My mom forced me to go so I did it. I never noticed how much I loved it until I met her. She taught me how much I loved to dance. She taught me what a role model was. She taught me.
The only thing the message read was this “Danica died last night”.
In that moment everything around me stopped making sense and couldn’t have possibly been real.
She was only 22.
I was only 17.
We had known each other for years, but in the past 2 she had taken me under her wings. She was the first person to believe in me and make me understand how to believe in myself. She recognized how much I loved to dance before I even knew it.
My parents and I decided it was best for me to go to camp for the next week and they’d pick me up early for her funeral if it was necessary.
The next week was a blur because nothing around me actually made any sort of sense.
But for the first time in my life, I actually understood what faith was about.
We started teaching together the following year.
Danica moved me to all the advance dance levels.
She was who I wanted to be, but more importantly she was my friend.
Faith started to become about love, strength, and comfort for me.
I prayed for these things everyday for the next year.
I dance for these things still today.
After she was gone she kept teaching me.
I wouldn’t be dancing without her.
I wouldn’t be who I am without her.
I find faith in inspiration.
I find faith every time I dance.
I find faith every time I create.
I find faith every time I remember her.
Peer Review
Brandon: For your post about a monotonous job, you did a great job at introducing it. Your tone really conveyed how easily the job was done and what lack of effort you needed to even be successful at it. The blog starting going in a new direction near the end. I appreciated the interesting details but I would have loved for you to stick with the boring. You did a great job writing about graphic novels. I felt very limited by this writing so I was super impressed with how interesting you made this prompt. great work.
Chelsee: For the prompt about your job, I appreciate that you started with your clothing. Immediately it sets us up to see you as doing the same thing over and over. You continued to write about the actual job and it became clear how ingrained the tasks are in your mind. This really made the job and your relationship with it seem monotonous. While writing about graphic novels, I'm glad you related it to your life. It is a topic I know little about so I didn't know what to do with it. Great job at making a topic more distant from you relative.
Leena: I loved how you used sounds to describe your job. This made me really feel as if I was there. You really set the scene so that the audience could feel personally invested. I would have loved to hear more about what you do, but at the same time leaving out the details really captured how mindless the job is. For your post about graphic novels, I agree with you 100%. I just don't really get into them and you really captured my own attitude (more than I did). I really enjoyed your posts this week
Chelsee: For the prompt about your job, I appreciate that you started with your clothing. Immediately it sets us up to see you as doing the same thing over and over. You continued to write about the actual job and it became clear how ingrained the tasks are in your mind. This really made the job and your relationship with it seem monotonous. While writing about graphic novels, I'm glad you related it to your life. It is a topic I know little about so I didn't know what to do with it. Great job at making a topic more distant from you relative.
Leena: I loved how you used sounds to describe your job. This made me really feel as if I was there. You really set the scene so that the audience could feel personally invested. I would have loved to hear more about what you do, but at the same time leaving out the details really captured how mindless the job is. For your post about graphic novels, I agree with you 100%. I just don't really get into them and you really captured my own attitude (more than I did). I really enjoyed your posts this week
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Prompt 49: graphics
Graphic novel writing is really something I have very little knowledge on but still find to be a great medium of writing. I think that it is extremely effective in writing a memoir as shown in Blankets by Craig Thompson and Pyongyang by Guy Delisle. In fact when really looking at it, graphic novels may be a better medium for writing memoirs because of what illustrations can offer the author.
Thompson and Delisle both used the graphics as an opportunity to transfer back and forth from the characters minds and the actual happenings around them. It seems as though the visuals that the illustrations offer make it easy for the writer to capture not just what the character is thinking or doing but also how they are seeing things. Since we live in such a visually stimulated world, these illustrations really give use new insight into a persons mind.
Another thing about graphic novels is how the author uses writing. Language is transformed because they don’t have to invest as much in describing a scene. This is particularly clear in Thompsons writing because he uses illustrations to set the scene and writing to just describe it briefly. For example, he writes “patches of white were swallowed up the till of the field” which is accompanied by an illustration. The picture set the scene and the language aided in capturing the characters emotion. By doing this Thompson showed what the character saw and then how he saw it. This technique really is a huge advantage that graphic artists have.
Overall, graphic novels really offer completely different literary techniques than other forms of writing. It gives the author not just the opportunity to describe a scene but also to show a scene. In terms of writing a memoir, this opens up the authors ability to show the scene and then capture the characters interpretation of it. This tool in itself is what make graphic novels and good means of writing a memoir.
Thompson and Delisle both used the graphics as an opportunity to transfer back and forth from the characters minds and the actual happenings around them. It seems as though the visuals that the illustrations offer make it easy for the writer to capture not just what the character is thinking or doing but also how they are seeing things. Since we live in such a visually stimulated world, these illustrations really give use new insight into a persons mind.
Another thing about graphic novels is how the author uses writing. Language is transformed because they don’t have to invest as much in describing a scene. This is particularly clear in Thompsons writing because he uses illustrations to set the scene and writing to just describe it briefly. For example, he writes “patches of white were swallowed up the till of the field” which is accompanied by an illustration. The picture set the scene and the language aided in capturing the characters emotion. By doing this Thompson showed what the character saw and then how he saw it. This technique really is a huge advantage that graphic artists have.
Overall, graphic novels really offer completely different literary techniques than other forms of writing. It gives the author not just the opportunity to describe a scene but also to show a scene. In terms of writing a memoir, this opens up the authors ability to show the scene and then capture the characters interpretation of it. This tool in itself is what make graphic novels and good means of writing a memoir.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
over : Prompt 45
hey guys. so I steered off the course of the prompt. I wanted to write about a piece I choreographed (which is a non paying job) because it is a job that actually changed me. I spent nearly a year on the piece, so this is just a glimpse of what happened. Writing is a huge part of my process, so I went back into my journal and inserted little parts I wrote over the span of that year.
The job was far from mundane, boring, monotonous but not nearly exciting. It required an obscene amount of work and the ability to dive deep into my own thought process.
I have come to a cross road in my piece. I wanted to integrate over stimulation as the means of drowning in my piece but I am uncertain how to approach that or convey it clearly to the audience. I know that breathe will be key and really allowing it to move me. I need to be consumed with breathe, let the breathe over stimulate the body.
I wanted to do a project on societies drowning in over stimulation. Everywhere I look people are plugged in to something. Its as though people in my generation don’t even know what existence outside of stimulation is as we have become entirely consumed in it.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the structure of the piece. Where it starts and where it ends and at what point balance becomes apart of the piece. I feel the piece should begin already drowning, seeing as our society is continuously drowning in over stimulation. There is no real start or end to the piece, it needs to convey a never ending problem. Then comes to euphoria. When someone drowns they reach a state of euphoria. I don’t know how this transition will occur. I think that can only be discovered as the process unfolds allowing creation to happen. The audience may discover their own understanding of this, I may not be present in this decision.
It had been 5 months since the seed had been planted in my brain. I was starting to understanding the process of creating a work and what it means to be honest about that process. It wasn’t about me or my commentary on over stimulation, it was about the piece being created. the funny thing I’ve been noticing is how unnoticed over stimulation goes. It’s almost as if it’s non existent, when in reality it basically consumes the world we live in. a never ending series of distractions.
Eileen Standley became my mentor and she changed my life forever. I wanted to involve the audience without forcing them to participate. She made me realize that it is not about just representing over stimulation in the body, but about over stimulating the space. If the space becomes over stimulated, the audience will be naturally be apart of this process. I feel like my process is overcoming me, rather than me overcoming the process. I am somehow lost in it, in a sense I am drowning with no euphoria in sight. I am overwhelmed with doubt, I am fearful of what will come next. I have over stimulated myself my creating this piece. I am starting to drown in the work.
The piece has since been performed. On top of nearly a journal full of writing, there have been endless hours spent in the studio generating movement. I created a structured improvisational score that could take three pages to type out. This piece was some of the hardest work that I have done and it is far from finished. It is a process, a never ending, always going, process.
The job was far from mundane, boring, monotonous but not nearly exciting. It required an obscene amount of work and the ability to dive deep into my own thought process.
I have come to a cross road in my piece. I wanted to integrate over stimulation as the means of drowning in my piece but I am uncertain how to approach that or convey it clearly to the audience. I know that breathe will be key and really allowing it to move me. I need to be consumed with breathe, let the breathe over stimulate the body.
I wanted to do a project on societies drowning in over stimulation. Everywhere I look people are plugged in to something. Its as though people in my generation don’t even know what existence outside of stimulation is as we have become entirely consumed in it.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the structure of the piece. Where it starts and where it ends and at what point balance becomes apart of the piece. I feel the piece should begin already drowning, seeing as our society is continuously drowning in over stimulation. There is no real start or end to the piece, it needs to convey a never ending problem. Then comes to euphoria. When someone drowns they reach a state of euphoria. I don’t know how this transition will occur. I think that can only be discovered as the process unfolds allowing creation to happen. The audience may discover their own understanding of this, I may not be present in this decision.
It had been 5 months since the seed had been planted in my brain. I was starting to understanding the process of creating a work and what it means to be honest about that process. It wasn’t about me or my commentary on over stimulation, it was about the piece being created. the funny thing I’ve been noticing is how unnoticed over stimulation goes. It’s almost as if it’s non existent, when in reality it basically consumes the world we live in. a never ending series of distractions.
Eileen Standley became my mentor and she changed my life forever. I wanted to involve the audience without forcing them to participate. She made me realize that it is not about just representing over stimulation in the body, but about over stimulating the space. If the space becomes over stimulated, the audience will be naturally be apart of this process. I feel like my process is overcoming me, rather than me overcoming the process. I am somehow lost in it, in a sense I am drowning with no euphoria in sight. I am overwhelmed with doubt, I am fearful of what will come next. I have over stimulated myself my creating this piece. I am starting to drown in the work.
The piece has since been performed. On top of nearly a journal full of writing, there have been endless hours spent in the studio generating movement. I created a structured improvisational score that could take three pages to type out. This piece was some of the hardest work that I have done and it is far from finished. It is a process, a never ending, always going, process.
Peer Review
Brandon: Prompt 42 has been my favorite blog of yours so far. I love the details you used to describe each person. They were small, seemingly insignificant details that really captured the essence of who they were. I think your flow was strong and the story was captivating. For your next blog, I see where you were going but I think you knew you were missing pieces. Not actually witnessing genocide made it hard to write about, but you prefaced us with that so no one can hold it against you. Good work taking a risk and writing something you are passionate about.
Chelsee: for your blog on Hurt, what prompt was that? Sorry, I got confused. But I really enjoyed the poetic language you used to capture hurt. With something like this, I'm glad you took a more abstract route, it made the piece more powerful. For your next blog, I love that you are willing to be so vulnerable with your writing. I think this piece could be stronger if you threw in some poetic writing like you did with the previous blog. You are writing about something important and I think this will help people to relate more.
Leena: I think it is so great how you use personal experience to describe injustices in the world. I see this blog in two parts: part one is what you wrote, part two: a story where you are not personally invested in the story. I think writing the second part of that blog would push you in a new direction and offer new insight to the issue at hand. Overall, I enjoy the flow of your writing and your language choices. Your writing really comes across as an expression and an outlet.
Chelsee: for your blog on Hurt, what prompt was that? Sorry, I got confused. But I really enjoyed the poetic language you used to capture hurt. With something like this, I'm glad you took a more abstract route, it made the piece more powerful. For your next blog, I love that you are willing to be so vulnerable with your writing. I think this piece could be stronger if you threw in some poetic writing like you did with the previous blog. You are writing about something important and I think this will help people to relate more.
Leena: I think it is so great how you use personal experience to describe injustices in the world. I see this blog in two parts: part one is what you wrote, part two: a story where you are not personally invested in the story. I think writing the second part of that blog would push you in a new direction and offer new insight to the issue at hand. Overall, I enjoy the flow of your writing and your language choices. Your writing really comes across as an expression and an outlet.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
UNjustified eating
She ordered a burger and immediately changed her mind “You know what, actually I’ll have a small salad. With lemon as dressing”. She looks defeated at the idea of even thinking about a hamburger. When looking at her across the table, a hamburger seems like it would do her good. Her figure is smaller than petite without an inch of fat on it. It’s that tiny unitard she has to fit into this weekend that weighs heavy on her mind. A crash diet, if only for this one show, unable to acknowledge she performs every weekend. In fact, she often performs more than that. Her so called crash diet now consumes her lifestyle as she slowly withers away in her own body.
“I’ll have a number one, extra large. Can you put extra mayo on that? Oh yeah and 2 apple pies too.” with no hesitation, an order is placed. This isn’t the first number order made that day, in fact it just falls into a never ending series of meals. No longer needing to know the names of food all his orders come in numbers and sizes. Ingredients never seen to pass his mind and he orders each meal as though he hadn’t eaten in days. The objective of food is to fill not realizing that he is actually overfilled with nothing of value. His body continually grows as he slowly slips away into his own body.
Understanding of health is far from important as people find themselves completely unattached from themselves. As I look around I see a world in which no one needs to have a sincere attachment to their bodies. The imbalance of understanding goes from one extreme to the next and to gain knowledge seems more intangible than is fair. The world around seems to be waging war against their own bodies.
“I’ll have a number one, extra large. Can you put extra mayo on that? Oh yeah and 2 apple pies too.” with no hesitation, an order is placed. This isn’t the first number order made that day, in fact it just falls into a never ending series of meals. No longer needing to know the names of food all his orders come in numbers and sizes. Ingredients never seen to pass his mind and he orders each meal as though he hadn’t eaten in days. The objective of food is to fill not realizing that he is actually overfilled with nothing of value. His body continually grows as he slowly slips away into his own body.
Understanding of health is far from important as people find themselves completely unattached from themselves. As I look around I see a world in which no one needs to have a sincere attachment to their bodies. The imbalance of understanding goes from one extreme to the next and to gain knowledge seems more intangible than is fair. The world around seems to be waging war against their own bodies.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Mono tone. Prompt 42
She rolled out of bed to see nothing but a blank wall. Her cat was her only comfort. She peeled out of bed to slowly walked herself to the bathroom. She couldn’t find the toothpaste anywhere being half awake. It wasn’t where she had last left it.
Oh wait. It was. Funny what the mind does when one is half asleep.
As she walked back into her room her mind still didn’t need to work. It was morning, same repeatable routine as always.
She put on her make-up and her uniform and drove herself to work.
The monotony of work didn’t force her to use much effort. This allowed her to apply her energy towards things that actually mattered.
Headed home from work she wasn’t expecting much. The day had fallen as routine as many.
She looked left.
She looked right. And she froze.
Not to far from where she was looking but not clear enough for her to see.
He had been hit, or was that just..
It couldn’t have possibly.
The other car was gone faster then it even hit the person in front of her eyes.
She rushed out of her car to find a face faintly familiar.
A older version of a past friend. It had been years since the thought of his existence. The face had aged yet it was still so young.
Sirens raced in. people pushed them away.
Stuck somewhere in between the present and the past.
She falls.
Somewhere
Far from the certainty of her daily routine.
Oh wait. It was. Funny what the mind does when one is half asleep.
As she walked back into her room her mind still didn’t need to work. It was morning, same repeatable routine as always.
She put on her make-up and her uniform and drove herself to work.
The monotony of work didn’t force her to use much effort. This allowed her to apply her energy towards things that actually mattered.
Headed home from work she wasn’t expecting much. The day had fallen as routine as many.
She looked left.
She looked right. And she froze.
Not to far from where she was looking but not clear enough for her to see.
He had been hit, or was that just..
It couldn’t have possibly.
The other car was gone faster then it even hit the person in front of her eyes.
She rushed out of her car to find a face faintly familiar.
A older version of a past friend. It had been years since the thought of his existence. The face had aged yet it was still so young.
Sirens raced in. people pushed them away.
Stuck somewhere in between the present and the past.
She falls.
Somewhere
Far from the certainty of her daily routine.
Peer Review
Brandon: The picture placement in prompt 34 added a nice tone of color. I really found this blog rather intriguing as the expert seemed to have a useless expertise. You did a great job at bringing him to life and yet still I felt sympathy for him. The flow was nice and the language use was appropriate. For your idol blog, I like the direction you took it in. You commented on how society can build people up and tare them down. I would have liked to see a more personal correlation between you and your idol, this is something you can consider playing with. Overall, I loved the direction both your blogs went it.
Chelsee: Your wrapping blog showed that you really have skills. I adored the humorous title as well. I think since you choose not to interview someone, it would have been interesting if you went in more depth about your process, and what makes you stand out verses other wrappers. For the second blog, I am surprised you chose the President. You seem to have a strong connection with your family, but you went for something more impersonal. Still I think you made a valid argument and stuck to it. I told Brandon this too, but I would have liked to see a more personal connection with your idol.
Leena: I missed your writing again!
Chelsee: Your wrapping blog showed that you really have skills. I adored the humorous title as well. I think since you choose not to interview someone, it would have been interesting if you went in more depth about your process, and what makes you stand out verses other wrappers. For the second blog, I am surprised you chose the President. You seem to have a strong connection with your family, but you went for something more impersonal. Still I think you made a valid argument and stuck to it. I told Brandon this too, but I would have liked to see a more personal connection with your idol.
Leena: I missed your writing again!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
"Few are those who see with their own eyes and feel with their own hearts"-Albert Einstein
Being the youngest of four siblings basically trains you to have idols. I didn’t have just one person to look up to, but I had three. My oldest brother, Abe, is bold and creative. Andrew is charming and friendly. My sister Sarah is poised and caring. I grew up being overwhelmed by idols and it became was easy to lose sight of who I was. One thing for certain, I never had a fantasy about idols being perfect, I always knew they were flawed no matter how wonderful I felt they all were.
Abe is the oldest and the boldest. He’s never afraid to go after what he wants and will work until he accomplishes it. Studying art I am now submersed among creative minds, but I have never met someone as creative as Abe. From writing to music, he always finds ways to impress me with his creativity.
Andrew has always been the golden child. He was the quarterback of our high school football team and an overall stellar athlete. What I have always found myself admiring about Andrew is how much he cares. He’s good at things because he works hard to make them happen.
My sister and I were the closest when we were young. Mainly because we are only 18 months apart and were put in all the same activities. Still, I looked to her for each and every move that I would make. I spent a solid 8 years of my life pretending to be shy because I found that quality in her so endearing. Today, she is the only person who can completely balance me out. Being connected at the hip our entire lives made for a pretty strong bond.
As much as I still look up to all my older siblings today, I never thought they were perfect. What can be wrong with idolizing people is loosing sight of who you really are. I was looking up to so many people, I somehow got lost along the way. When I came to college, it was natural for me to look up to people, so I did the same with my friends. It wasn’t until one of my closest friends pointed out to me how much of myself I was missing out on. She doesn’t even remember that conversation, but in that moment, I knew I had to stop looking towards others and start looking towards myself. No matter how perfect or flawed idols may seem, I am still finding it is more important to discover my own perfections and imperfections.
Abe is the oldest and the boldest. He’s never afraid to go after what he wants and will work until he accomplishes it. Studying art I am now submersed among creative minds, but I have never met someone as creative as Abe. From writing to music, he always finds ways to impress me with his creativity.
Andrew has always been the golden child. He was the quarterback of our high school football team and an overall stellar athlete. What I have always found myself admiring about Andrew is how much he cares. He’s good at things because he works hard to make them happen.
My sister and I were the closest when we were young. Mainly because we are only 18 months apart and were put in all the same activities. Still, I looked to her for each and every move that I would make. I spent a solid 8 years of my life pretending to be shy because I found that quality in her so endearing. Today, she is the only person who can completely balance me out. Being connected at the hip our entire lives made for a pretty strong bond.
As much as I still look up to all my older siblings today, I never thought they were perfect. What can be wrong with idolizing people is loosing sight of who you really are. I was looking up to so many people, I somehow got lost along the way. When I came to college, it was natural for me to look up to people, so I did the same with my friends. It wasn’t until one of my closest friends pointed out to me how much of myself I was missing out on. She doesn’t even remember that conversation, but in that moment, I knew I had to stop looking towards others and start looking towards myself. No matter how perfect or flawed idols may seem, I am still finding it is more important to discover my own perfections and imperfections.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Denim Expert: Prompt 34
While looking for an expert on anything or perhaps everything, I ventured over to my neighbors to see if that had any knowledge to share. Much to my surprise, I was living next door to an expert on denim.
“Denim is currently having a great resurgence of unsanforized selvedge denim in the United States.” Ben explained to me. He must have been aware of the confusion on my face as he went on to explain
“Sanforizedation is the treatment of fabrics that helps retain shape and color after washing. Selvedge is type of weave that was originally woven to prevent fraying. It requires a specific loom and is usually marked by the hem which is either a blue or red line. It started in America in the 40s and 50s, just as a working mans pants that would last forever. It got popular among motorcycle riders because they would go through jeans so quickly. Levi had the first popular brand. Unsanforized selvedge wore really well, it has a natural elasticity it naturally fades and contours to your body shape. Soak your jeans and put them on when there a little wet and they’ll naturally form to your body. Non selvedge is cheaper to make and mass produce. Sewing machines allowed for this to happen, so Japanese were buying the old machines and refurbished them, The Japanese has perfected this American craft”
At this point I was quit impressed and overwhelmed my Ben’s knowledge on denim. A topic I had never even thought to explore. I can remember the days of going to the store and buying jeans that were already faded and wondering why new jeans were bought looking as though they’d been worn.
“People started wanted denim that faded because designers started making jeans that looked salvaged and selling them at a high price. When the reality is if you buy selvedge jeans you can create this look for yourself. Now Americans are making them and getting good at it once again.”
Now feeling inspirited to go purchase a pair of jeans that I can fade myself and make custom to my own body, I wondered where would someone purchase such a thing. Ben knew just the place.
“Roy Slaper is the man with the master plan. He makes his jeans, hand made. I have a pair that almost 200 wears and plan on going 400 without soaking them. I probably won’t ever wash them, only soak they when the elasticity of the jeans catches up so they fit too big. Roy Slaper denim comes from America, but cotton from Japan is the best (as well as the craftsmanship). But Roy is competing really well.”
It’s good to know that America sold its craft to only wish they hadn’t years later. Still it’s great to know that Roy Slaper is bringing back American denim. Overall, I was quit impressed with Ben’s ability to speak so expertly on a topic all while being so casual. Ben seems to reflect a good pair of Roy Slapers jeans, high is quality and casual in appearance.
A video of Roy Slaper:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3guozBZyKE
“Denim is currently having a great resurgence of unsanforized selvedge denim in the United States.” Ben explained to me. He must have been aware of the confusion on my face as he went on to explain
“Sanforizedation is the treatment of fabrics that helps retain shape and color after washing. Selvedge is type of weave that was originally woven to prevent fraying. It requires a specific loom and is usually marked by the hem which is either a blue or red line. It started in America in the 40s and 50s, just as a working mans pants that would last forever. It got popular among motorcycle riders because they would go through jeans so quickly. Levi had the first popular brand. Unsanforized selvedge wore really well, it has a natural elasticity it naturally fades and contours to your body shape. Soak your jeans and put them on when there a little wet and they’ll naturally form to your body. Non selvedge is cheaper to make and mass produce. Sewing machines allowed for this to happen, so Japanese were buying the old machines and refurbished them, The Japanese has perfected this American craft”
At this point I was quit impressed and overwhelmed my Ben’s knowledge on denim. A topic I had never even thought to explore. I can remember the days of going to the store and buying jeans that were already faded and wondering why new jeans were bought looking as though they’d been worn.
“People started wanted denim that faded because designers started making jeans that looked salvaged and selling them at a high price. When the reality is if you buy selvedge jeans you can create this look for yourself. Now Americans are making them and getting good at it once again.”
Now feeling inspirited to go purchase a pair of jeans that I can fade myself and make custom to my own body, I wondered where would someone purchase such a thing. Ben knew just the place.
“Roy Slaper is the man with the master plan. He makes his jeans, hand made. I have a pair that almost 200 wears and plan on going 400 without soaking them. I probably won’t ever wash them, only soak they when the elasticity of the jeans catches up so they fit too big. Roy Slaper denim comes from America, but cotton from Japan is the best (as well as the craftsmanship). But Roy is competing really well.”
It’s good to know that America sold its craft to only wish they hadn’t years later. Still it’s great to know that Roy Slaper is bringing back American denim. Overall, I was quit impressed with Ben’s ability to speak so expertly on a topic all while being so casual. Ben seems to reflect a good pair of Roy Slapers jeans, high is quality and casual in appearance.
A video of Roy Slaper:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3guozBZyKE
Peer Review
Brandon: For the blog written in two different perspectives, I was completely shocked by the third person perspective. I even had to read it twice. I appreciate that you created such a unique viewpoint for someone else. I would recommend elaborating more on perspective two, it was a little confusing. Also for this style of writing I would suggest making some longer sentences to create a stronger flow. However, in your second blog, great use of rhythm and flow. You captured the awkward situation not just through description but also through rhythm. It added a lot to this post, so great work.
Chelsee: For your perspective blogs, I love your subtle use of humor. The story wasn't lighthearted and humorous but you added moments of it. This really made an enjoyable read because you didn't overwhelm the audience with emotion. You could have focused on the feeling of anxiety, but I appreciate that you made light of it. In the prompt it asked us to really envision the other person perspective and I could really hear your voice in both of them. I know I did the exact same thing as well, but I wonder what we could do to capture the essence of someone else's voice.
Leena: There is something so poetic about your posts in first and third perspective. The sense of rhythm and flow was so wonderful and really swept me up into the story. Also, it's also a topic I can relate to, so I appreciated it. You could have written more on both perspectives, the story wasn't incomplete, but there could be more. I really enjoyed your second blog as well. You give the reader just enough to get lost in the story without being over bearing. I loved how Brittany came to life through dialogue rather than description. I also appreciated the relationship between the two characters and how they balanced each other out. One came to life through inner dialogue and the other through speaking, which in itself reflected the personality of both characters.
Chelsee: For your perspective blogs, I love your subtle use of humor. The story wasn't lighthearted and humorous but you added moments of it. This really made an enjoyable read because you didn't overwhelm the audience with emotion. You could have focused on the feeling of anxiety, but I appreciate that you made light of it. In the prompt it asked us to really envision the other person perspective and I could really hear your voice in both of them. I know I did the exact same thing as well, but I wonder what we could do to capture the essence of someone else's voice.
Leena: There is something so poetic about your posts in first and third perspective. The sense of rhythm and flow was so wonderful and really swept me up into the story. Also, it's also a topic I can relate to, so I appreciated it. You could have written more on both perspectives, the story wasn't incomplete, but there could be more. I really enjoyed your second blog as well. You give the reader just enough to get lost in the story without being over bearing. I loved how Brittany came to life through dialogue rather than description. I also appreciated the relationship between the two characters and how they balanced each other out. One came to life through inner dialogue and the other through speaking, which in itself reflected the personality of both characters.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
UNcomfortable place: Prompt 33
Hey guys! This is Thursday March 24th post. But I'll be out of town for a dance festival. I had to do all the work over Spring Break and Post it today. Just thought I'd let you know so you weren't confused!
“Now today we are launching something new an exciting”
After almost three years of working for a massive corporation, I know what this really means: we are going to make a series of unnecessary changes. This phrase I had heard at least three times a year, and I can promise you that each time something “exciting” was happening, I would have to go through a slew of new rules from a rulebook that was already massive. But I would politely nod my head, smile, and adapt.
Change is something I love, but rules are something that make a cringe. New rules adding on to a previous list of rules is something I’d rather not face. The real problem was me, I actually attempted to follow each guideline accurately as possible. This is not my preferred way of living, but I wanted to work to a decent promotion. Finally, all the rules weighed down on me and I fell into a place of complete discomfort.
The location I worked at would cycle through employees faster than you can imagine. Most people would last for a solid year, not many stay for a second, and hardly any stay for a third. The constant flow of people makes it impossible for someone to feel any ease during a shift, which is an unnecessary amount of stress for a college job. My last few months there, I encountered a micromanager. This was a dream for her boss, and a nightmare for her employees. If having a constant stream of customers to deal with wasn’t enough to think about, every time your fingers touched your face, she’d remind you to wash your hands. This combined with my own impulse to follow all the guidelines left with more than I can handle.
One would think that after being a devoted worker for so long you would gain more respect, but honestly I just found discomfort. Corporate anything allows for the treatment of each employee as waste. Being treated like waste isn’t something I enjoy all that much, so after having my fill I left this place of discomfort. Oddly enough, I found myself in a local coffee shop where homeless people sleep on couches and women with beards ask for water. Yet somehow, I find myself far more comfortable amongst all of these people then I did working for a corporation.
“Now today we are launching something new an exciting”
After almost three years of working for a massive corporation, I know what this really means: we are going to make a series of unnecessary changes. This phrase I had heard at least three times a year, and I can promise you that each time something “exciting” was happening, I would have to go through a slew of new rules from a rulebook that was already massive. But I would politely nod my head, smile, and adapt.
Change is something I love, but rules are something that make a cringe. New rules adding on to a previous list of rules is something I’d rather not face. The real problem was me, I actually attempted to follow each guideline accurately as possible. This is not my preferred way of living, but I wanted to work to a decent promotion. Finally, all the rules weighed down on me and I fell into a place of complete discomfort.
The location I worked at would cycle through employees faster than you can imagine. Most people would last for a solid year, not many stay for a second, and hardly any stay for a third. The constant flow of people makes it impossible for someone to feel any ease during a shift, which is an unnecessary amount of stress for a college job. My last few months there, I encountered a micromanager. This was a dream for her boss, and a nightmare for her employees. If having a constant stream of customers to deal with wasn’t enough to think about, every time your fingers touched your face, she’d remind you to wash your hands. This combined with my own impulse to follow all the guidelines left with more than I can handle.
One would think that after being a devoted worker for so long you would gain more respect, but honestly I just found discomfort. Corporate anything allows for the treatment of each employee as waste. Being treated like waste isn’t something I enjoy all that much, so after having my fill I left this place of discomfort. Oddly enough, I found myself in a local coffee shop where homeless people sleep on couches and women with beards ask for water. Yet somehow, I find myself far more comfortable amongst all of these people then I did working for a corporation.
First Person: Prompt 29
I grew up in a small town in southern Arizona. The people you meet in kindergarten are the people you graduate high school with, and by 5th grade most groups of friends have been formed. I was not so lucky. I spent elementary, middle, and most of high school wondering around and never really finding my nitch. By the time I was a junior in high school, I had given up on the friend quest and became content with my life.
Of course, that’s when things always change. I had know Alexis since kindergarten but we never really even spoke. I was with the nerds, and she was with the cool kids so our paths rarely intersected. But we both joined the dance team at our high school and we immediately clicked. We couldn’t be further from opposite. She was tough, straightforward, and never afraid to speak her mind. I was overly sensitive, too nice, and pretty nerdy. Together we balanced each other out and taught each other a lot about life. But it wasn’t just the two of us that bounded: her best friend since forever Jeff rounded out the group with his fun loving carefree attitude.
The three of us got really close really quickly. We had found such a perfect balance between us all. But when high school ended, things changed. As much as we all wanted to stay close, we all ended up in different parts of the country. Still I made time for both of them in my life. When Alexis told me she was getting married, I immediately saved the date so I could be there. Jeff and I talked and we were both ecstatic for her big day.
As the day got closer and closer, I started getting serious calls from both of them. Jeff called me about two weeks before the wedding to let me know he couldn’t make it. He was devastated and scared of how it would impact their friendship. I told him he needed to tell her immediately, but of course he put it off. A week before the wedding, Alexis called me enraged. I told her it was her day and he shouldn’t let him ruin it.
The wedding was beautiful. Jeff text me the entire time asking me for details, but Alexis told me not to tell him anything. I was afraid the three of us were coming to an end.
After the wedding, it only got worse. Alexis’s strong will and stubbornness made sure she’d never let him live this down. Jeff’s carefree attitude and forgetfulness made it difficult to make his remorse seem sincere. I have stayed good friends with both these people, but it was sad to see such a strong friendship come to an end.
Of course, that’s when things always change. I had know Alexis since kindergarten but we never really even spoke. I was with the nerds, and she was with the cool kids so our paths rarely intersected. But we both joined the dance team at our high school and we immediately clicked. We couldn’t be further from opposite. She was tough, straightforward, and never afraid to speak her mind. I was overly sensitive, too nice, and pretty nerdy. Together we balanced each other out and taught each other a lot about life. But it wasn’t just the two of us that bounded: her best friend since forever Jeff rounded out the group with his fun loving carefree attitude.
The three of us got really close really quickly. We had found such a perfect balance between us all. But when high school ended, things changed. As much as we all wanted to stay close, we all ended up in different parts of the country. Still I made time for both of them in my life. When Alexis told me she was getting married, I immediately saved the date so I could be there. Jeff and I talked and we were both ecstatic for her big day.
As the day got closer and closer, I started getting serious calls from both of them. Jeff called me about two weeks before the wedding to let me know he couldn’t make it. He was devastated and scared of how it would impact their friendship. I told him he needed to tell her immediately, but of course he put it off. A week before the wedding, Alexis called me enraged. I told her it was her day and he shouldn’t let him ruin it.
The wedding was beautiful. Jeff text me the entire time asking me for details, but Alexis told me not to tell him anything. I was afraid the three of us were coming to an end.
After the wedding, it only got worse. Alexis’s strong will and stubbornness made sure she’d never let him live this down. Jeff’s carefree attitude and forgetfulness made it difficult to make his remorse seem sincere. I have stayed good friends with both these people, but it was sad to see such a strong friendship come to an end.
Third Person: Prompt 29
We had been best friends since kindergarten. For as long as I can remember, I wanted to start my own family and he wanted to become a fashion photographer. By the young age of 20, he was living in New York following his dreams and I was about to get married. I couldn’t believe that after over 15 years of knowing each other, we both were fulfilling our dreams. But, realistically, our goals had pulled our lives in two entirely different directions and the last couple years had been hard on our friendship. Still, I couldn’t imagine getting married without him there.
“Jeff! I’m getting married!”
“Oh my goodness Alexis! I’m so excited. You know I wouldn’t miss it for the world. When is it?”
“It’s going to be June 16th!”
It was at least 6 months before the wedding when I told him of the date. As it got closer and closer, I begin to feel weary about his attendance. We haven’t talked because I was busy planning a wedding and he was busy taking photos in New York. A week before the wedding I received a text message that read:
Alexis, You know I love you more than anything in the world. But I won’t be able to attend your wedding. I can’t believe this is happening, but work just won’t let me off. I am so sorry. I know I have to make it up to you.
I’m not the type of person to get sad when someone lets me down. I’m the type of person to get pissed and drop them from my life. I called my other good friend Alyssa to tell her of the news.
“Alyssa, he’s not coming. Why am I even surprised! He does this all the time. And you know he didn’t even ask for work off until now! Trying to play the victim when he’s known forever. I’m done. I can’t put up with it anymore”
“Alex, I’m sorry. I don’t know what to say. He should be here for this. He knows how much it means to you”
My wedding day finally came and went. He called, asked to see pictures, even sent a present in the mail, but it just isn’t enough for me. For as long as we were inseparable, he finally hurt me too much for me to overcome.
“Jeff! I’m getting married!”
“Oh my goodness Alexis! I’m so excited. You know I wouldn’t miss it for the world. When is it?”
“It’s going to be June 16th!”
It was at least 6 months before the wedding when I told him of the date. As it got closer and closer, I begin to feel weary about his attendance. We haven’t talked because I was busy planning a wedding and he was busy taking photos in New York. A week before the wedding I received a text message that read:
Alexis, You know I love you more than anything in the world. But I won’t be able to attend your wedding. I can’t believe this is happening, but work just won’t let me off. I am so sorry. I know I have to make it up to you.
I’m not the type of person to get sad when someone lets me down. I’m the type of person to get pissed and drop them from my life. I called my other good friend Alyssa to tell her of the news.
“Alyssa, he’s not coming. Why am I even surprised! He does this all the time. And you know he didn’t even ask for work off until now! Trying to play the victim when he’s known forever. I’m done. I can’t put up with it anymore”
“Alex, I’m sorry. I don’t know what to say. He should be here for this. He knows how much it means to you”
My wedding day finally came and went. He called, asked to see pictures, even sent a present in the mail, but it just isn’t enough for me. For as long as we were inseparable, he finally hurt me too much for me to overcome.
Peer Review
Brandon: The dialogue blog had an intriguing juxtaposition. The content of the conversation was untreatable to me as a reader, however the relationship between the two people was very clear. It was clear that the two people involved had developed their own way of understanding each other. I loved your clear voice in the persuasion blog. It really felt like you were talking to the reader and working to persuade them. Your writing really has a strong personality with it. I think that is one of your strengths and you should keep working within that voice.
Chelsee: When I first glanced at your dialogue blog I thought, where is the dialogue? But as I started to read it, I really loved that you captured the dialogue of body language instead of just speaking. The story really came to life with the actions of the people, and the talking was secondary. I loved this. Still, I would challenge yourself to writing a blog with more speaking, I personally didn’t like it, but it was a fun challenge. For your persuasion blog I thought you had really strong arguments. You were clear with your points and had facts to prove them!
Leena: I missed your writing this week! Look forward to reading whatever you have next!
Chelsee: When I first glanced at your dialogue blog I thought, where is the dialogue? But as I started to read it, I really loved that you captured the dialogue of body language instead of just speaking. The story really came to life with the actions of the people, and the talking was secondary. I loved this. Still, I would challenge yourself to writing a blog with more speaking, I personally didn’t like it, but it was a fun challenge. For your persuasion blog I thought you had really strong arguments. You were clear with your points and had facts to prove them!
Leena: I missed your writing this week! Look forward to reading whatever you have next!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
The Art of Persuasion: Prompt 27
The art of persuasion can be mastered at a very young age. It is a skill that involves convincing someone to agree with your point of view. It comes in handy with advertising and arguments. However, over the years I have discovered the deceitful and harmful side of persuasion that may lead to the downfall of a person and society. Now I am attempting to help others understand the dark side of persuasion.
There are many reason one should not invest time in persuasion. Within this writing I will persuade you to never persuade again for the following three reason:
1.) it stunts creativity
2.) it’s unAmerican
3.) it requires a compromise of moral and ethical beliefs.
Creativity comes from ones ability to see the world through their own eyes. It allows individuals to make something out of nothing and turn something old into something new. Being creative takes work because of the continues elements of persuasion that surround the world that we live in. From advertising to scholarly essays, humans are constantly being exposed to the opinions of others. These opinions then manifest within our thought allowing subconscious alteration of creativity. Persuasion limits creativity which can potentially limit the capabilities of humans.
This stunting of creativity directly correlates with the stunting of free thought. Since the mind has already been limited in its creative exploration, humans have become unable to think for themselves. They are reliant on the thoughts and opinions of others and therefore can no longer think for themselves. Being in America where freedom is the greatest trend, persuasion is actually unAmerican. We should be supporting the freedom of thought, not forcing our society to be dependent on the thoughts of others.
If you have not yet decided that persuasion is wrong, there is one final point. Persuasion is morally and ethically wrong, as the persuader is directly putting forth effort in the manipulation of the persuaded. If one cannot understand that the act of manipulation is wrong they must realize what it feels like to be manipulated. It strips one from their own identity and causes them to conform for insincere reasons. It causes one to do things against their own will, all the while believing it was their choice. By teaching others to persuade, we are teaching others to manipulate which could be (and should be) against their moral code.
Overall, the art of persuasion is limiting the range of creativity, the American belief in freedom, and diminishing ethical responsibility. Clearly persuasion limits humanities ability to grow and people should now understand why persuasion is not the answer.
There are many reason one should not invest time in persuasion. Within this writing I will persuade you to never persuade again for the following three reason:
1.) it stunts creativity
2.) it’s unAmerican
3.) it requires a compromise of moral and ethical beliefs.
Creativity comes from ones ability to see the world through their own eyes. It allows individuals to make something out of nothing and turn something old into something new. Being creative takes work because of the continues elements of persuasion that surround the world that we live in. From advertising to scholarly essays, humans are constantly being exposed to the opinions of others. These opinions then manifest within our thought allowing subconscious alteration of creativity. Persuasion limits creativity which can potentially limit the capabilities of humans.
This stunting of creativity directly correlates with the stunting of free thought. Since the mind has already been limited in its creative exploration, humans have become unable to think for themselves. They are reliant on the thoughts and opinions of others and therefore can no longer think for themselves. Being in America where freedom is the greatest trend, persuasion is actually unAmerican. We should be supporting the freedom of thought, not forcing our society to be dependent on the thoughts of others.
If you have not yet decided that persuasion is wrong, there is one final point. Persuasion is morally and ethically wrong, as the persuader is directly putting forth effort in the manipulation of the persuaded. If one cannot understand that the act of manipulation is wrong they must realize what it feels like to be manipulated. It strips one from their own identity and causes them to conform for insincere reasons. It causes one to do things against their own will, all the while believing it was their choice. By teaching others to persuade, we are teaching others to manipulate which could be (and should be) against their moral code.
Overall, the art of persuasion is limiting the range of creativity, the American belief in freedom, and diminishing ethical responsibility. Clearly persuasion limits humanities ability to grow and people should now understand why persuasion is not the answer.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
talking in circles makes me dizzy: Promt 25
“You need to let me know. Either you want me in your life or not. But I can promise you this much, I can’t maintain a relationship like this one” I told him, trying to be as clear, direct, and honest as possible.
“What do you mean? you know…” blahblahblah. Some nonsensical indirect bullshit spills out of his mouth.
“No, stop it. I’m done. You’ve been playing this back and forth with me for years. One minute you’re my friend and the next you wanna be something more. Five minutes later you‘re talking about peanuts acting like it never happened.”
“What are you talking about?” The frustration in his voice begins to swell. “I haven’t been doing anything!”
“You know, this is exactly it, exactly what I’m trying to get you to understand. You can’t call me up one minute expecting me to hop into bed with you and act like nothing ever happened the next. I have no problems just being friends with you but you can’t keep fucking with my head”
“So, your not going to sleep with me then?” he says half serious and half kidding.
“ARE YOU SERIOUS?! Have you even been listening to a single word that I’ve said!” I’ve nearly reached my breaking point by now.
“Are you really moving to Chicago?” His thoughts avoiding the situation. A typical tactic of his
“Wait. What?” Simple confusion is what I am left with, a place I often find myself in conversations with him.
“Let me go with you.” he has that look. The one that tricks me every time into thinking something romantic may happen.
“Where is this even coming from?”
He just gives me that look…again…that grin…that sparkle in his eye. “You’re eyes are so beautiful”
“What the fuck” I say almost exploding into laughter.
“Why are you laughing at me?”
Feeling defeated I sigh “You know. I just don’t understand you. Every time we talk, you just lead me in circles. This conversation is going nowhere. Why can’t you ever just be direct with me?”
And so this endless battle of communicating nothing and talking in circles finally ends. It doesn’t literally end, but it was over for me. We spend the rest of the evening as we always do. Him trying to get in bed with me, me explaining that he’s just my friend and it won’t happen until he starts being direct with me. An endless argument in which we both are never honest about who we are or how we feel. He’s great at distractions and confusions that lead me nowhere. Until finally I just stopped responding to his calls, text messages, face book chats, etc. Years and years of going no where, starting no where, and leading no where conversations that made our friendship. Finally done.
“What do you mean? you know…” blahblahblah. Some nonsensical indirect bullshit spills out of his mouth.
“No, stop it. I’m done. You’ve been playing this back and forth with me for years. One minute you’re my friend and the next you wanna be something more. Five minutes later you‘re talking about peanuts acting like it never happened.”
“What are you talking about?” The frustration in his voice begins to swell. “I haven’t been doing anything!”
“You know, this is exactly it, exactly what I’m trying to get you to understand. You can’t call me up one minute expecting me to hop into bed with you and act like nothing ever happened the next. I have no problems just being friends with you but you can’t keep fucking with my head”
“So, your not going to sleep with me then?” he says half serious and half kidding.
“ARE YOU SERIOUS?! Have you even been listening to a single word that I’ve said!” I’ve nearly reached my breaking point by now.
“Are you really moving to Chicago?” His thoughts avoiding the situation. A typical tactic of his
“Wait. What?” Simple confusion is what I am left with, a place I often find myself in conversations with him.
“Let me go with you.” he has that look. The one that tricks me every time into thinking something romantic may happen.
“Where is this even coming from?”
He just gives me that look…again…that grin…that sparkle in his eye. “You’re eyes are so beautiful”
“What the fuck” I say almost exploding into laughter.
“Why are you laughing at me?”
Feeling defeated I sigh “You know. I just don’t understand you. Every time we talk, you just lead me in circles. This conversation is going nowhere. Why can’t you ever just be direct with me?”
And so this endless battle of communicating nothing and talking in circles finally ends. It doesn’t literally end, but it was over for me. We spend the rest of the evening as we always do. Him trying to get in bed with me, me explaining that he’s just my friend and it won’t happen until he starts being direct with me. An endless argument in which we both are never honest about who we are or how we feel. He’s great at distractions and confusions that lead me nowhere. Until finally I just stopped responding to his calls, text messages, face book chats, etc. Years and years of going no where, starting no where, and leading no where conversations that made our friendship. Finally done.
Bill T. Jones week is the best week: Prompt 22
It’s not often that people are given the chance to interact with someone who is great in their field of work. It’s even less often when that person looks you square in the face and gives you advice. Bill T. Jones is a world renounced choreographer who has made both commercial work and profound artistic work. He is one of (if not the) most sought after choreographers and still continues to grow as an artist. Last week, all the dance majors dubbed it Bill T. Jones week. His company just started an artist in residency program at Gammage so the entire week was filled with lectures, master classes, and everything Bill T. Jones. He is a very busy man so we spent most of the time interacting with various company members of his, but on Thursday he specifically came to speak to our department.
Everywhere I go I carry my journal with me in case a moment of inspiration or desperation occurs. Writing is an essential part of how I create and how I live. I love handwritten anything. Knowing that Bill T. Jones was coming to speak with us and has had such a successful career, I wanted to write down all the words of wisdom that may come out of his mouth. I wasn’t the only one with this thought, as the entire front row of dancers had pen and paper in hand. From the moment he walked in the room I was star struck. I wanted to know anything and everything that he had to offer. He has successfully accomplished my dream and I hoped to gain some great insight into making this happen for myself.
Bill T. Jones did nothing but impress me. He was narcissistic and humble all in one. He was bold and doubtful even through all of his success. Finally he was serious and humorous making for one captivating lecture. I have over two pages of insight that he gave me in that 30 minute lecture. At one point, while he was speaking he looked directly at me and said “I assume your taking notes for class..” still being star struck I shook my head and mumbled “no”. He took a step back, paused and said with surprise “wait, so you’re just taking notes for yourself?” Uncertain of what was to come next I muttered “yes”, he slowly walked away keeping his gaze directly at me and said “keep that pure spirit of investigation”. Although I am sure this moment is long since forgotten for him, this will forever be etched in my memory.
Everywhere I go I carry my journal with me in case a moment of inspiration or desperation occurs. Writing is an essential part of how I create and how I live. I love handwritten anything. Knowing that Bill T. Jones was coming to speak with us and has had such a successful career, I wanted to write down all the words of wisdom that may come out of his mouth. I wasn’t the only one with this thought, as the entire front row of dancers had pen and paper in hand. From the moment he walked in the room I was star struck. I wanted to know anything and everything that he had to offer. He has successfully accomplished my dream and I hoped to gain some great insight into making this happen for myself.
Bill T. Jones did nothing but impress me. He was narcissistic and humble all in one. He was bold and doubtful even through all of his success. Finally he was serious and humorous making for one captivating lecture. I have over two pages of insight that he gave me in that 30 minute lecture. At one point, while he was speaking he looked directly at me and said “I assume your taking notes for class..” still being star struck I shook my head and mumbled “no”. He took a step back, paused and said with surprise “wait, so you’re just taking notes for yourself?” Uncertain of what was to come next I muttered “yes”, he slowly walked away keeping his gaze directly at me and said “keep that pure spirit of investigation”. Although I am sure this moment is long since forgotten for him, this will forever be etched in my memory.
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