1. Read Often. Reading is the key to discovering new ideas and expanding your vocabulary. If reading is boring to you that means your brain is not trained to fully focus on something and you are not letting your imagination run wild. Train your brain to be able to read and force yourself to actually enjoy it. Eventually it will come easy. I might not take my own advice, but still I know reading is imperative to "writing good." See, I should probably read more.
2. Do Not Procrastinate. Once again, this is another piece of advice that I'm ashamed to say I don't take. Unfortunately I started this blog assignment right before class. Maybe I should just turn this into a don't-take-after-me-because-this-is-what-happens approach, because so far I do no follow the first two tips. Nonetheless, procrastinating doesn't make your writing any better, unless you're a writing genius and can write under pressure. But you probably should not try and find out if that applies to you. Do not procrastinate, because you will start a very nasty habbit that is hard to break.
3. Always Use a Dictionary and Thesaurus. Yes, finally a tip I can follow. http://thesaurus.com/ is my favorite website to have open on another tab while writing ANYTHING. In fact, it's open right now and I'm currently using it. Finding words that are not dull and repetitive is paramount. It adds interest and you sound smarter too. But MAKE SURE you also use a dictionary. If your writing becomes too flowery and has a bunch of words that your unsure of the meaning, you're gonna sound like a fool.
4. Create a Space For Writing. Even if you are just writing from you're laptob, you should still find a place that is comfortable and brain-stimulating. For me, I like to sit on my bed and have itunes open at the same time. I can't work without sounds or distractions. Such as youtube, my roomate's voice gossiping to me about what our friends from home are doing lately on facebook, and the constant vibrate of text messages buzzing in my lap. Yes these are all things I need in my workspace and Yes these are all things happening as I type this out right now. Seems absurd, but you gotta find what works for you. You probably need the complete opposite, but maybe not. Try different things till one works.
5. Start a Blog, whether it's a blog like this one or simply facebook with all of your hundreds of followers...I mean friends. I believe the thrill of having 'status updates' and 'blog posts' and such is because we all internally love expressing ourselves to others in our own way. Whatever it is, start an online place to express yourself. When it comes time to write a more formal piece of writing, it is much easier to encorporate personality and voice in it when needed, due to the many years of practice you will have under your belt.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
2 truths and a lie.
I was born in Palmer, Alaska where I lived for the first five years of my life before moving to Helena, Montana.
I love to sew and I taught a fundamentals of sewing class in Helena to elementary students.
I hate the color pink and I own absolutely nothing of that color or any variation of pink.
I love to sew and I taught a fundamentals of sewing class in Helena to elementary students.
I hate the color pink and I own absolutely nothing of that color or any variation of pink.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
House
TV. Hmm. I rarely watch TV. Even less so now that I am in college and do not own a TV. But I can remember the days at home. I basically watched cartoons and the series House. I'm almost sure everyone is familiar with this series but just incase...
House is a medical drama with the central character being Dr. Gregory House. He is described as an unconvential and bitter medical genius. He heads a team of diagnosticians in a fictional hospital. House often clashes with the other characters; his boss, his collegue and best friend, the diagnosticians under him, and the patients. Most episodes revolve around a diagnosis of a patient. House tends to find the correct diagnosis seemingly out of the blue, often after an unrelated comment made by another character. The diagnoses range from very common to rare diseases. A significant element of the show is House's addiction to Vicodin due to his leg pain that causes him to use a cane.
Yes there is some enjoyment from watching the team of doctors save patients' lives. And there is enjoyment in learning about crazy unheard of conditions and diseases. But I think the real pleasure I get from this series is watching House belittle and mock everyone around him and the fact he only gets away with it because he is the smartest person in the room. I love the brilliance of the character House. House is simply a great show because the mysteries on the show are thought provoking. Although after watching the first season and familiarizing yourself with the way the show works, you figure out that the patient is diagnosed within the last five mins. But I still cant help but watch as the mysteries unfold each episode. It may seem predictable to some but I still say it is quality entertainment.
House is a medical drama with the central character being Dr. Gregory House. He is described as an unconvential and bitter medical genius. He heads a team of diagnosticians in a fictional hospital. House often clashes with the other characters; his boss, his collegue and best friend, the diagnosticians under him, and the patients. Most episodes revolve around a diagnosis of a patient. House tends to find the correct diagnosis seemingly out of the blue, often after an unrelated comment made by another character. The diagnoses range from very common to rare diseases. A significant element of the show is House's addiction to Vicodin due to his leg pain that causes him to use a cane.
Yes there is some enjoyment from watching the team of doctors save patients' lives. And there is enjoyment in learning about crazy unheard of conditions and diseases. But I think the real pleasure I get from this series is watching House belittle and mock everyone around him and the fact he only gets away with it because he is the smartest person in the room. I love the brilliance of the character House. House is simply a great show because the mysteries on the show are thought provoking. Although after watching the first season and familiarizing yourself with the way the show works, you figure out that the patient is diagnosed within the last five mins. But I still cant help but watch as the mysteries unfold each episode. It may seem predictable to some but I still say it is quality entertainment.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Op-Ed Articles
The first article I read was The Spoils of Happiness written by editor David Sosa. The article references a "thought experiement" by philospher Robert Nozick. If it were possible to plug-in to a machine for the rest of your life that would make you believe you were truly happy; all the good feelings you get when you make a new friend, write a great novel, watch your kids play soccer for the first time, etc., but the whole time you were ignorant, floating in a tank of water. He posed the question: would you plug-in? Sosa explores the question and tries to find what happiness really is. I'd say that the disposition of Sosa's audience was neutral so he created a good balance. He showed a lot of persona (pathos). There was a strong emotional appeal especially since the topic revolved around happiness.
The second article I read, Disturbing the Peace: Smoke and Mirrors, is about the new smoke-free policy being implemented in 2011 here on campus. Jed Nussbaum gave a voice to all of those opposed of the new policy because no one has said anything. Once again a perfect example of balance between the three categories of appeals. He started out with his first assumptions then gave examples of how other people might feel about the subject. He suspended his judgement till the very end.
After the last article I couldnt help but read my third one, Disturbing the Peace: No, really, I get these headaches, another article written by Jed Nussbaum. Basically it is about the sudden illnesses surfacing everywhere that get people their medical marijuana card. I guess I was just lucky to happen apon three very good articles. Because yet again this one had a very good balance. The editor used a lot of logic and reason and made it very entertaining with his emotion. He also saved his personal point of view till the end.
The second article I read, Disturbing the Peace: Smoke and Mirrors, is about the new smoke-free policy being implemented in 2011 here on campus. Jed Nussbaum gave a voice to all of those opposed of the new policy because no one has said anything. Once again a perfect example of balance between the three categories of appeals. He started out with his first assumptions then gave examples of how other people might feel about the subject. He suspended his judgement till the very end.
After the last article I couldnt help but read my third one, Disturbing the Peace: No, really, I get these headaches, another article written by Jed Nussbaum. Basically it is about the sudden illnesses surfacing everywhere that get people their medical marijuana card. I guess I was just lucky to happen apon three very good articles. Because yet again this one had a very good balance. The editor used a lot of logic and reason and made it very entertaining with his emotion. He also saved his personal point of view till the end.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Enneagram Test
SO I took the tests several times to find the most accurate conclusion. The first day I took a test and I resulted as a type 6-Skeptic. The whole day I was stressed and paranoid so I couldnt get any other answer. The next day I was way less stressed and I got mostly 7 and 9: Enthusiast and Peacemaker. After reading through each description I would say I'm definately a combination of the three.
The Skeptic side: I am not at all a healthy 6. They are loyal people which I can relate to, but the part that I cant relate is that they are very loyal to authority. I definately tend to defy authority. I am an unhealthy 6 because I am insecure which makes me distrust everyone. This creates a cycle. What I dont like about being a six is I procrastinate because of fear of failure, I have little self confidence, I get exhausted by worrying way too much, and I am overly critical of myself. I am very loyal, I am a nonconformist, and I have intellect and wit, all of which is part of the positve side.
http://www.9types.com/epd/6.php
The Enthusiastic side: I like to explore the world and usually appreciate what I find. I find this true in my personality because I can generally be happy doing and trying anything. Any new experience makes me happy. I love traveling and discovering new places to hike, camp, eat at and simply look at. I know that I have the type of personality that isn't satisified without change. I can't stay in one place in life for very long.
http://www.9types.com/epd/7.php
The Peaceful side: I think the peaceful side of me is a big part of my personality. In the healthy state, type nines open up to others and others open up to them and ultimately the nines are very accepting. I would say this is true for me. What I like most about myself is that I rarely have a judgemental spirit. I like people and I like when they open up and trust me. People find it easy to open up to me, I would say, and I like to create unions.
http://www.9types.com/epd/9.php/
Altogether I stay peaceful to keep union, I am adventurous to feel satisfied and I have very bad anxiety when I dont feel balance or feel insecure.
The Skeptic side: I am not at all a healthy 6. They are loyal people which I can relate to, but the part that I cant relate is that they are very loyal to authority. I definately tend to defy authority. I am an unhealthy 6 because I am insecure which makes me distrust everyone. This creates a cycle. What I dont like about being a six is I procrastinate because of fear of failure, I have little self confidence, I get exhausted by worrying way too much, and I am overly critical of myself. I am very loyal, I am a nonconformist, and I have intellect and wit, all of which is part of the positve side.
http://www.9types.com/epd/6.php
The Enthusiastic side: I like to explore the world and usually appreciate what I find. I find this true in my personality because I can generally be happy doing and trying anything. Any new experience makes me happy. I love traveling and discovering new places to hike, camp, eat at and simply look at. I know that I have the type of personality that isn't satisified without change. I can't stay in one place in life for very long.
http://www.9types.com/epd/7.php
The Peaceful side: I think the peaceful side of me is a big part of my personality. In the healthy state, type nines open up to others and others open up to them and ultimately the nines are very accepting. I would say this is true for me. What I like most about myself is that I rarely have a judgemental spirit. I like people and I like when they open up and trust me. People find it easy to open up to me, I would say, and I like to create unions.
http://www.9types.com/epd/9.php/
Altogether I stay peaceful to keep union, I am adventurous to feel satisfied and I have very bad anxiety when I dont feel balance or feel insecure.
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