Wk4 Show Me What You've Learned Project

Social Media or Spy Tool

It is no secret that the rich and famous or infamous of the world have adopted Twitter as their "we're real people too" mini-megaphone. We sit is anticipation waiting with baited breath for each new nugget of information that makes us feel closer to the pedestal dwellers. I am privileged to have the opportunity to hear what each of my followees are planning, doing or have done. Oh, the excitement.

However...this is their decision- on their terms.

If you have never heard of the mega-priced NY hot spot Michael's (home of the $35 cheeseburger), it is nothing if not a hub for people watching. The media-heavy clientele is now everyone's business as Michael's has begun tweeting who is in the restaurant.

Learn more here.

Is this what the creators of Twitter had in mind?

Somehow it seems just a little more dirty when it is not personal choice.

What do you think?

Lunch exposure at Michael's. (2009). Retrieved from http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/lunch_exposure_GVBPJAltQIwWhviv29ZGpJ

Dear Future Joann...

A few blogs back, the one titled: Week 3 Reading- The Art of Possibility Chs 1-3, I joked about writing a letter to my future self. I was a bit skeptical about the teachings in the book and being a bit sarcastic (I know, hard to believe). My opinion was that the technique was interesting, but I was being glib when applied to myself.

Now I may have to eat my words, so to speak.

I applied for a job last week. Not the first since my unfortunate bout with unemployment, but the first that

a. seemed like a legitimate job

and

b. was completely based on my skills obtained through Full Sail.

Considering my recent lack of confidence in myself. this was a huge step for me.

Then came the phone call..you know the one...the one to set up the interview.

Exciting...

Then came the actual interview- it seemed to go well, I guess we shall see...

I should know by the end of next week.

Eek!

Week 4 Comments

Wk 4 Where the Wild Things Are

October 23, 2009 by jan707

I have loved this book since the moment I bought it for my seven-year-old son back in 1988. That’s right—1988. Back then the paperback version cost $4.95; the sticker is still on it. (It is $8.95 now.) I bought the book because Max and my son were one and the same—little wild things. And now my son has a little wild thing of his own. It is time to introduce my grandson Maddox to this book. How appropriate that Maddox’s cousin on his mother’s side calls him “Mad Max” because he cannot say “Maddox.”

After forty-nine years (original copyright date for the book is 1963) Warner Brothers has released a movie version of Maurice Sendak’s Caldecott Medal winning book. From all that I have read (and much of that via the movie’s Facebook page), the movie is phenomenal. I think a family movie date is in the near future. I want to see the reactions of both of my own wild things. And yes, Mad Max is lapping up water from his DogDog’s dish.

Posted in EDM 613 Week 4 | No Comments Yet

1. on October 25, 2009 at 1:38 am | ReplyJoann Stegner

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   I, too, loved this book from the first moment I read it. In my children’s literature class, I chose maurice Sendak as my author study subject.
   I think it is always interesting when a book is made into a movie, especially a children’s book. I took my son on opening day (he is 6 and also very Max-like). I LOVED it- he thought it was just ok, which surprised me. He said he likes the book better. He thought Max was too mean. I have to agree- I thought the fact that he was rewarded for his bad behavior with a giant slab of chocolate cake was aggravating. There was one seen- the one when Carol flipped out- that was way to violent for my taste, especially when you consider that this was all taking place in Max’s imagination.
   Overall, I truly enjoyed it, it remained true to the book while adding the required amount of Hollywoodishness.

   Source:

   Blog Title: Jan707's Blog: http://jan707.wordpress.com/

   Wk 4 Where the Wild Things Are. Nichols, J. http://jan707.wordpress.com/2009/10/23/wk-4-where-the-wild-things-are/#comment-59 Retrieved October 24, 2009.

week 4 Reading: The Art of Possibility- CHs 10-12

Be the board- the board on which the whole game is being played. I feel a bit unnerved by this.

Move the problems of the outside world inside yourself. Now I feel annoyed.

By doing this, you can change the world. Now I am incredulous.

I am having a difficult time with this concept. Currently, I feel very trapped by circumstances. I am not sure how to undo this feeling.

As I read on, my annoyance is wavering. I understand the assertion that we are responsible for our own way- the bad vacation, the ruined dinner- all can be changed depending on how we choose to look at the situation and act on it.

I know that I need to be the framework for the things that happen in my life- I have not done a very good job of this. I am guilty of letting things happen to me and then complaining about outcome. I have to take a more active role in my own life. The analogy of the boss not listening to employee is all too real for me. It is so easy to get caught up in feeling sorry for oneself and accepting that you are not being listened to.

So how do we open ourselves up to possibility anyway?

The story about the teacher shaving her head brought tears to my eyes. However, I must admit I am at a bit of a loss. The problem was the girl's and the solution came from the outer world. The girl did not make that happen, the teacher did. Am I misreading this example or I am confusing the practice?

Vision- that I have- what I need to do is cultivate the tools to make it happen.

The WE story- or the concept that any two people are connected by invisible threads- made me think of the butte

rfly effect. The idea that there is a sensitive dependence that connects the world. Can a butterfly's flap of a wing lead to a catastrophe across the globe? I'm not sure. I do know that something that happens to a person can effect their mood and demeanor and how they interact with the next person who's path they cross.

Overall, this book made me take a look at myself that I did not like. I need to reread the book and really put into practice the suggestions the Zanders have shared. This was either the best, or worst time for me to have read this book- which remains to be seen.

Photo provided by Wikimedia Commons.

Cross, M. (2009). The butterfly effect. Retrieved from http://www.crossgroup.caltech.edu/chaos_new/Lorenz.html

Zander, R. S. & Zander, B. (2000). The art of possibility. New York: Penguin Books.

Week 4 Reading: The Art of Possibility- CHs 7-9

I found Chapter 7 very interesting, because I always find myself battling between two pieces of advice:

1. That's just the way it is and you have to make the best of it.

and

2. If you don't like it, do something about it.

The problem has always been- which do I listen to?

Enter the "distinctions".

This is where I always falter and this is what inevitably clouds my outlook and paralyzes me from action.

Assumptions

Feelings

Facts

Distinguishing between the three has always been a problem for me. My assumptions and feelings always cloud the facts. I have tried to nip this in the bud, but I don't seem to do a very good job of it.

I definitely have a problem with "shoulds". I tend to be fairly idealistic about how the world should be and how people within the world should treat each other and I almost always end up disappointed in the actual outcome. When will I learn?

I don't like this chapter- it is a bit to real for me. I am adult enough to realize that this is a chapter I will have to go back and reread and I think i will leave it at that.

Passion?

Can someone please remind me what that is again?

I used to know, but it is buried under exhaustion, day to day activities and frustration.

As I read about the vital expressive energy flowing everywhere, I am reminded about when I lived in Sedona, AZ. As you may be aware through recent news stories, Sedona is a very spiritual place. The people there tend to be more tuned in to the earth and themselves. I can remember hiking up to Bell Rock and lying on the warm red rocks and feeling the earth vibrating under me- it was rejuvenating. Of course, this was before the days of children, divorces, mortgages, bills, unemployment, and general problems. The problems that existed to my former self were able to be fixed by lying on a rock. Oh how I long for those days.

Enrollment- also known as a practice I can really get behind. I really relish the idea of lighting a spark- not only for myself, but for others to share. This is what I want to do! Of course, this means coming to terms with my broken relationship with passion. How do you mend a relationship with a feeling you haven't felt in so long?

The "no" as dreaded dampener to fire, to spark, to passion...that is where I am more comfortable. I am not comfortable receiving a "no:, but by not trying so I will not receive that "no". I had once heard this quote by an unknown author, "What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?" I need to embrace the spirit of that quote and the advice of the Zanders. I have ideas that I am very excited about, but fear of failure holds me back.

Boo. I suck.

Zander, R. S. & Zander, B. (2000). The art of possibility. New York: Penguin Books.

Week 3 Reading: The Art of Possibility- CHs 4-6

Ouch!

Being a Contribution.

That is an interesting concept. The chapter title alone has me riffling through the catalogue in my mind of my life- have I been a contribution?

Occasionally, probably more often than I would like to admit, I am a stranded starfish. I wait, somewhat impatiently, on the beach for the woman to come along and toss me back into the ocean- to save me. At times, I have even been the man filled with mockery asking others "why would you bother to do that- it is silly, useless, stupid, etc.?" I know that I need to be the woman on the beach- set my mind to what I want to accomplish, no matter how small, and not let anyone or anything stand in my way. The question is: how can I transform my thinking from that of the starfish to that of the woman on the beach?

According to Zander, it is as easy as declaring yourself to be so and making it happen with purpose and conviction. Could she be right? Could it be that simple? Perhaps. Although, it now dawns on me that there are steps to follow- much like any self-help program. I cannot dare to declare myself a contribution without first being more positive and then envisioning my future self. Could there me something to this after all?

I really need to adhere to Rule Number Six and remember that there are no other rules. I am quite sure that on some level that that is the secret to limiting stress. Perhaps if I did not take myself so seriously, I would alleviate many issues and problems that I now view as hugely insurmountable. My calculating self is destroying me slowly. Unfortunately, it is a constant reminder of my failures, so much so, that I cannot even glimpse the positive. Whenever I attempt something new, it reminds me of the past failures and then my fear of failure overwhelms me and I get to the point where I don't even want to try anything new for fear of failing at it. If I don't try, I can't fail. Why can't my central self have that much impact on me and my thinking?

Could it really be as easy as following Rule Number 6?

Zander, R. S. & Zander, B. (2000). The art of possibility. New York: Penguin Books.