Post #5, 2-24-09, Procrastination

Procrastination- a medium length, five syllable word that causes an infinite amount of damage. "Later" and "not now"- smaller words in length that destroy just as much. I've learned that the hard way, one too many times. Take last night for example: we're given a week to do an essay. Our teacher makes it extremely simple for us- we pre-write for two days in class, even write a practice essay. But after the due date had been extended, I still hadn't made a dent in it. Hadn't even started actually. I'd been formulating what I planned to say in my mind for a couple days, but I was still staring at a blank Microsoft Word document on Sunday afternoon. Monday comes along, and I get home around five. I put my backpack upstairs, unpack it, and head back downstairs to turn on the computer. After sitting down and waiting for my desktop to load, I realize I need my English notes. I run back to my room to get them. Sit back down. Need my Writer's Inc. Run back to my room to get it. Sit back down. Dinner time. Sit back down. By this time, I don't even remember what I was doing at my computer in the first place. See- this is what procrastination does to you. Put things off and put things off until you find yourself submitting your essay an hour before it's due. Not a great idea, trust me. You'd think after about the millionth time I'd learn. I hate stressing out over hours of work, getting major writer's block. Procrastination is probably the reason why I type so fast. Well, that's one good thing from it. So what do I do to discontinue this bad habit? Absolutely nothing. "Never make the same mistake twice", right? Wrong. I've tried time and time again- learning better organizational skills, writing in planners, the whole shebang. In the end, I'm the one up past midnight scrambling to finish everything that needs to get done. Yes, crunch-time is something I'm very familiar with. And if you asked me why, I couldn't tell you. It makes no sense whatsoever. No one wants to add to the stresses of daily life when there's no reason to. Yet I keep finding myself in the exact same situation. If there's anyone out there that can help me out, please do. I'm tired of being tired.

In searching "procrastination" on the internet, I discovered the answer to "why". But I'd still like feedback, advice, and tips on what I can do the next time an assignment is given.
Psychology Today, "Procrastination: Ten Things to Know", http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/pto-20030823-000001.html.

Post #4, 2-17-09, What's your story?

This is mine- inspired by a story in Newsweek, about the power of storytelling.

Called "Stop Me if You've Heard This One", this week's My Turn article was written by Ann Banks. In her essay, Banks starts by telling readers a story that she's sure her grandmother would tell after reading some of today's headlines. She knows this story like the back of her hand, inside and out- she grew up on Depression stories told time after time around the dinner table. Now, in the midst of a recession, Banks recalls this story- a story about how an artist had cemented a silver dollar in the middle of a mosaic map of Florida on the floor of a real-estate office in Palm Beach, and how, during hard times, someone had stolen that silver dollar- chiseled it right out of the floor. Banks said that although her grandmother had lost so much during the Depression, she spoke about the silver dollar so much more. "It comforted my grandmother, I believe, by reminding her that in her misfortune she was far from alone." For that reason, Banks strongly believes that "storytelling is due for a revival... It got folks through the depression. It can work now, too." Banks also says that "we need again to imagine a future that is meaningful in the face of difficult circumstances. Listening to each other's stories may grant us a sense of common purpose that money can't buy."

At first, this article grabbed my attention because of its catchy title. I like being in the know, and I wanted to see if I ever had "heard this one". But the title wasn't the only thing well-chosen. With every word, every sentence, I was drawn further and further into Banks's story. About halfway through the article, I came across a quote that made me stop and think: "I became fascinated by the role that stories play during hard times- the way they seem to strengthen people, offering a bulwark against loneliness and feelings of personal failure." How true is that? When we're in the middle of a major crisis, what do we look for to help us feel better? A friend, maybe- someone who will empathize with us, someone who will share a similar, enlightening experience with us to show that we can overcome our trial. Ultimately, we look for a story. That is what convinced me- a simple, yet powerful, story might be just what we need after all. I'm sure plans to reconstruct our economy are necessary too, but the most brilliant strategy will do us no good unless we keep a positive, optimistic mindset and are determined to achieve our goal. That is where the work of our stories comes in. Each one of us has something to contribute; each one of us has something to say.

So that, was my story. Now it's your turn to tell yours.

To read the entire article, pick up a copy of Newsweek and turn to page 18, or visit this link: http://www.newsweek.com/id/183675.

Post #3, 2-10-09, Not a Trekee

I have to start out saying that I am not a Star Trek fan. Never have been, never will be. Whether it be watching it with my Dad on Spike late at night because he won’t let go of the channel changer, or watching an episode in English class because it sort of ties in with The Crucible, every episode bores me to tears. However, when the latter situation did arise, and I was forced to suffer through 45 minutes of Betazoids and Vulcans, I found that I was able to stay awake long enough to actually learn something from it. Yes, I learned something from Star Trek. Not in a million years would I have even imagined saying that sentence. But for that reason, I found it interesting enough to blog about.

In English, we watched “The Drumhead”, Episode 21 of Season 4. The storyline of this episode is very similar to the plot of The Crucible, numerous parallels can be drawn. In “The Drumhead”, Admiral Satie arrives on board the Enterprise to assist Captain Jean-Luc Picard in the investigation of a security breach. They quickly find that a Klingon exobiologist named J’Ddan is guilty. However, the trials do not stop there. Admiral Satie is convinced that there is a conspiracy on the ship, and is determined to stop it. She goes so far as to even accuse Captain Picard before her unethical hearings are finally brought to an end.

Many important points were brought up during “The Drumhead”. In a scene when Admiral Satie and Captain Picard were discussing the trials, Admiral Satie argued that the trials were necessary because they needed to find all conspirators. Captain Picard replied “Oh yes, that's how it starts, but the road from legitimate suspicion to rampant paranoia is very much shorter than we think.” This quote stuck out to me. It made me think about how fast things can get out of hand. The trials started because of one spy, but soon unraveled into false accusations directed towards most of the Enterprise crew.

Another scene that stayed fixed in my mind was towards the end when Captain Picard was talking with one of the accused, Simon Tarses. During the scene, Captain Picard tells Tarses that he’ll still have a place on the Enterprise if he is not found guilty. But Tarses responds, “It doesn’t matter. I lied on my application. That mistake will be with me for the rest of my life.” The trials completely exposed Tarses for who he really was, and ruined his reputation. Often times, we make rash judgments about others without even realizing it. We are quick to jump to conclusions after hearing rumors and gossiping with friends. Those judgments will tear a person down if we are not careful. We should allow others the chance to reveal what they are hiding and not do it for them. The hearings started with proving a person guilty, and ended with a person being forced to prove their innocence.

In one of the last scenes, Worf confronts Captain Picard about Admiral Satie. Worf said, “I believed her. I... helped her. I did not see her for what she was.”

Captain Picard told him, “Mr. Worf, villains who twirl their moustaches are easy to spot. Those who clothe themselves in good deeds are well-camouflaged.”

Worf: “I think... after yesterday people will not be so ready to trust her.”

Captain Picard: “Maybe. But she, or someone like her, will always be with us. Waiting for the right climate in which to flourish, spreading fear in the name of righteousness. Vigilance, Mr. Worf. That is the price we must continually pay.”

I'll leave you with that to chew on.

And although I'll admit, I actually did enjoy watching this in English, it was more because we didn't have to do a Timed Write, and less because the show is growing on me. If I'm ever up late with nothing to do, turning on the television will definitely be my Dad's choice, not mine.

Quotes from: Star Trek: The Next Generation.

http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Star_Trek:_The_Next_Generation#The_Drumhead_.5B4.21.5D

Post #2, 2-3-09, Blog-Challenged

“What to write… What to write.” That is the question I’ve been asking myself over and over for four long, busy days filled with events completely irrelevant to English. As a matter of fact, I’ve been asking more than just myself that question. Family, friends, friends of friends- no one’s been fortunate enough to escape my constant interrogation. I talked to someone for two hours yesterday on possible topics, to no avail. Throughout today I asked everyone and anyone who crossed my path. Our conversation normally went something like this:
Friend: “Hel-”
Me: “What should I write my blog about?”
Friend: “Uhm. Hmm, I don’t know.”
Me: “I already wrote about The Crucible for my last post, so I kind of want to move on from that subject.”
Friend: “Oh hey! What about The Crucible?”
Yeah, as you’ve probably already guessed, the typical responses I received didn’t help much. One friend thought he was being helpful by repeating, “I know! Why don’t you write about something really boring, and then make it interesting!” Great idea! Psyche.
So finally, it’s sixth period, and we’re doing nothing, as usual. I ask the girl sitting next to me, with little hope that she’ll say anything of use. But, of course, she was the person who ended up providing me with an actual answer: “Write a blog about writing a blog”. And that, is exactly what I’m doing.
Step number one: Decide on a topic.

Step number two: Using proper “netiquette” (we should all know what that is by now), sit down in a quiet, comfortable location and write your blog.
Your blog should be written about something interesting. Your blog should engage your audience, captivate them, take them to another world riding on fascinating thoughts. The rule: it has to somehow relate, however tangentially, to something previously discussed or studied in English Class. Okay, let’s face it- “interesting” and “English” don’t easily connect. Upon hearing the words “intriguing” and “exciting”, some think sports, some think shopping, some think Twilight- the last thing on the endless list is school. But it seems the other thirty-two students are having no problem with finding some sort of link between the two, so I’ll move on.

Step number three: Give your blog a flashy title (without forgetting to include the post number and date) and publish it!
There you go- the simple three step process is complete. The only thing left to do is read the rest of your group’s thrilling, action-packed blogs and comment on two appropriately (again using proper “netiquette”).
The best part- next Tuesday afternoon, the cycle starts again. Hopefully between now and then the class period will be spent doing something other than correcting vocab. But if we continue discussing the difference between a “moral” and a “theme”, and a friend is having difficulty finding an idea for Blog #3, it would probably be beneficial to reread my first paragraph before replying.

P.S. If you find this blog lacking (I'm still learning myself), try reading through some of the tips here: Problogger, "How to Write Great Blog Content", <http://www.problogger.net/how-to-write-great-blog-content/>.