...Okay, so the song goes: "...have you any dreams you'd like to sell?"
I ponder this, to whom/which lover was Stevie Nicks referring to, as if we need ask...of course, it was Lindsey Buckingham himself for whom the beautiful lyrics and song ("Dreams") were written.
If she was asking her lover (ex-lover) to sell her his dreams so that she could better understand him, then I can definitely understand her. I can understand all too well how she was feeling. I, too, wish that a certain person would have sold me his/her dreams so that I could better understand him/her. But, oh, that was long ago...actually, not that long ago...the person is my muse of late. I would give anything for the sweet, beautiful person to sell me his/her dreams. To know the person, well, it might actually not only help me to know and like the person better, but perhaps, the person could know me and like me as much as I do. Reciprocate, reciprocate, reciprocate...
My own dreams, the ones that could come true, are delayed, and perhaps even dwindling, because each day that my emotions and feelings are not properly addressed, I am left haphazardly alone and sad and in wonderment of "what could be." It is a sad state-of-affairs in which I currently dwell and reside. I wish I could tear at the very fabric of myself to find the me who was ecstatically happy, somewhat fancy-free, and steadily secure...until that glance.
The glance that saw me crash into an invisible wall; the glance that made my knees fold; the glance that left me unable to breathe; the glance that made my heart skip a beat unlike any arrhythmia that my chest has been put through; the glance that has made my words turn awfully corny. The one special, phenomenal, beautiful glance that I began, and you answered, on that awesome and unforgettable Tuesday morning. I glanced your way, bid you fare salutations, you replied, and further added that the morning "was cold." I heard your sweet voice, and I looked back...then thunder struck...the glance...the glance...the glance. I glanced your way, and my heart you took. Oh, the pain of it all. I remain in an ambiguous, beguiling, and love-struck world...never knowing, never knowing, never knowing. Should I tell you, perhaps hidden is how my feelings should be left...no one gets hurt except my need to be with you. What to do, what to do, what to do...
✔©✔
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Monday, December 8, 2014
Self-Indulgence: Simply...Thinking of You!
Thinking of you, thoughts of you so provocatively innocent
If only you knew my heart and who I could be
Maybe it would envelope your heart with the love I have
I would gladly give it and ask nothing in return
Only wanting to listen to you, to see you, to tell you
Words are blocked by a lost soul that just wanders
Not knowing your world seems blasphemous
Being allowed to linger would be best, but doubtful
For the moment I remain enraptured by thoughts of you
Maybe one day my dreams might awaken a certain truth
The truth is what I have always feared, for you are so far
away
Must it remain that way, such trepidation to never know
You are often so close, but my heart deems you linger too
far away
The unknown is what truly terrifies the essence of me
That you see me and find emptiness as your heart seeks
another
I remain your secret aficionado and protector of innocence
One day perhaps clouds will guide your way to forever see my
heartTime always the enemy...I remain silent and still...still thinking of you
Dora's Corner: Plagiarism Story Continued: Literary Pirates Invade the College!
So, the story does continue.
Last week, before the morning lecture began in English class, the prof told us that some students had plagiarized, and that she was extremely disappointed at the fact that it had occurred. Frankly, dear prof, this person was just as disappointed (perhaps not severely as you were) at those handful of lazy and aloof students. Not only did their fragrant act of plagiarism hurt them, but it hurt the prof, and their fellow classmates [us] who arduously work at learning how to properly cite other people's work. The basics of citing is not so difficult to learn. IMO, it is another English-writing art-form that can and should be learned. For those of us moving on to other courses that require a lot of writing, learning how to properly credit others for their work is extremely important. For those not moving on to courses that will require them to learn how to properly cite, they need only think of plagiarism this way...if you wrote a song, painted a picture, created a tatoo, or anything which involved hard work, and was solely your property because you -- and you alone -- created it, you would be extremely pissed off (*) if someone took it as their own and proclaimed that he or she had created it. And, might I add that I used the word "pissed" in the preceding sentence because, chances are, that the people who do not think twice of stealing other people's property (and a written work of art IS tangible, thus, property) are probably the type of people who understand things when it involves the usage of an expletive. Pardon my blunt-force usage of this thing called physiognomy or the judging a book by it's cover, but if you steal someone else's work, I strongly disagree that much, if any, respect is due you.
Anyhow, the English prof appeared as if she had lost her best friend upon the announcement of the plagiarists in our class. There were many of them, which further added to the disgust and disappointment! I do not believe that the act of plagiarism should be noted as a reflection of the prof because she is an excellent instructor who takes time to teach each student in her classroom how to correctly write essays and how to cite other people's work. She offers each student an opportunity to meet with her in her office or in the writing hub/lab. Furthermore, the writing hub has plenty of other highly-qualified tutors and (convenient) hours of operation through-out the week for anyone interested in getting extra help.
Personally speaking, my writing skills have improved through my own hard work and sweat with the addition of working with the prof whenever I could, and by taking advantage of the hub. Frankly, it is beyond me why students do not take advantage of any lab because our hard-earned tuition has already paid for the usage of several labs. If sporting events were paid for via one's tuition on a community college level, such as it is on a university level, then students would take advantage of the opportunity. So, why not take advantage of the labs when you (or your parents) have already paid for them [rhetorical].
I would no soon steal someone else's literary piece than I would steal something in a store, and I would no soon put up with someone else stealing anything from me either. I would especially not put up with anyone stealing my own literary art. I would seriously hurt someone for that.
I plan on speaking to my prof about this. I mainly want to convey my own appreciation for everything that she has done for each of her students [includes moi], and that the lazy and careless students are not representative of who we are holistically as a class nor of who she is as an individual and a great instructor. She did not fail any of her students, but rather, a few jerks in class failed her.
Last week, before the morning lecture began in English class, the prof told us that some students had plagiarized, and that she was extremely disappointed at the fact that it had occurred. Frankly, dear prof, this person was just as disappointed (perhaps not severely as you were) at those handful of lazy and aloof students. Not only did their fragrant act of plagiarism hurt them, but it hurt the prof, and their fellow classmates [us] who arduously work at learning how to properly cite other people's work. The basics of citing is not so difficult to learn. IMO, it is another English-writing art-form that can and should be learned. For those of us moving on to other courses that require a lot of writing, learning how to properly credit others for their work is extremely important. For those not moving on to courses that will require them to learn how to properly cite, they need only think of plagiarism this way...if you wrote a song, painted a picture, created a tatoo, or anything which involved hard work, and was solely your property because you -- and you alone -- created it, you would be extremely pissed off (*) if someone took it as their own and proclaimed that he or she had created it. And, might I add that I used the word "pissed" in the preceding sentence because, chances are, that the people who do not think twice of stealing other people's property (and a written work of art IS tangible, thus, property) are probably the type of people who understand things when it involves the usage of an expletive. Pardon my blunt-force usage of this thing called physiognomy or the judging a book by it's cover, but if you steal someone else's work, I strongly disagree that much, if any, respect is due you.
Anyhow, the English prof appeared as if she had lost her best friend upon the announcement of the plagiarists in our class. There were many of them, which further added to the disgust and disappointment! I do not believe that the act of plagiarism should be noted as a reflection of the prof because she is an excellent instructor who takes time to teach each student in her classroom how to correctly write essays and how to cite other people's work. She offers each student an opportunity to meet with her in her office or in the writing hub/lab. Furthermore, the writing hub has plenty of other highly-qualified tutors and (convenient) hours of operation through-out the week for anyone interested in getting extra help.
Personally speaking, my writing skills have improved through my own hard work and sweat with the addition of working with the prof whenever I could, and by taking advantage of the hub. Frankly, it is beyond me why students do not take advantage of any lab because our hard-earned tuition has already paid for the usage of several labs. If sporting events were paid for via one's tuition on a community college level, such as it is on a university level, then students would take advantage of the opportunity. So, why not take advantage of the labs when you (or your parents) have already paid for them [rhetorical].
I would no soon steal someone else's literary piece than I would steal something in a store, and I would no soon put up with someone else stealing anything from me either. I would especially not put up with anyone stealing my own literary art. I would seriously hurt someone for that.
I plan on speaking to my prof about this. I mainly want to convey my own appreciation for everything that she has done for each of her students [includes moi], and that the lazy and careless students are not representative of who we are holistically as a class nor of who she is as an individual and a great instructor. She did not fail any of her students, but rather, a few jerks in class failed her.
Sunday, December 7, 2014
Saturday, December 6, 2014
Dora's Corner: Plagiarism is Still Plagiarism Even If You Didn't Mean To...: Literary Thief!
“Immature poets imitate; mature poets steal.”
― T.S. Eliot, The Sacred Wood
(The above quote was Eliot's stint at humor, parody, and satire)
...Sadly, there remain too many people who think that they can copy another person's literary piece sans giving the originator(s) proper credit via a simple in-text citation and works cited bibliography of sorts. A story, a quote, a song, a poem, an essay, an idea, etc...it's all still flagrant plagiarism when you deny the appropriate and applicable credit be given to the original author of the work! By a simple and oh-so arrogant misdeed of stealing their work followed by an incredulously stupid action of not citing the work, you are denying someone who did all the hard work from receiving the proper credit that he or she deserves.
A thief by any other name is still a thief, and he wreaks of literary theft!
More on plagiarism and why I chose it to be today's topic post when I return...
― T.S. Eliot, The Sacred Wood
(The above quote was Eliot's stint at humor, parody, and satire)
...Sadly, there remain too many people who think that they can copy another person's literary piece sans giving the originator(s) proper credit via a simple in-text citation and works cited bibliography of sorts. A story, a quote, a song, a poem, an essay, an idea, etc...it's all still flagrant plagiarism when you deny the appropriate and applicable credit be given to the original author of the work! By a simple and oh-so arrogant misdeed of stealing their work followed by an incredulously stupid action of not citing the work, you are denying someone who did all the hard work from receiving the proper credit that he or she deserves.
A thief by any other name is still a thief, and he wreaks of literary theft!
More on plagiarism and why I chose it to be today's topic post when I return...
Self-Indulgence: Thanks For the #Fan-ta-bu-lous Evening!
...Happy #Saturday! Incredible evening last night
w/DPS co-workers #XmasParty2014...
Thx 2the fab D.J. 4the remixes:
w/DPS co-workers #XmasParty2014...
Thx 2the fab D.J. 4the remixes:
It was truly an incredible evening:
good food, great company of friends, and excellent music!
....................................................................................D.D.C.
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Dora's Corner: The Art of Matriculation! Then Comes Winter Interim!
“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.”
― Bernard M. Baruch
...Well, the end of the fall semester is just days from being over. "Finals Week," is almost upon us; however, there are a couple of classes that allowed students to take their final this week. So, that's two down for me, but two to go. And, let's just say that the angst, that is accompanied by the torture of preparing for exams, is hitting everyone hard; for me, it is especially hard. Not because of the studying required, because I can "hang" with the best of 'em, but because of those damned feelings I have been experiencing - the freaking melancholy. I am taking an honor's online course this winter interim, and I am excited for that; however, it does not really replace the actual interaction one has with other students and instructors. But, as I like to say often: "it is what it is!"
Regarding the winter course, it is going to be difficult because it is going to go fast, but I knew what I was getting into when I was asked to sign up for it...and when I agreed to it. If I do well, then good for me (and kudos to the awesome prof who is teaching the course), but if I fall flat on my face, then no one is to be blamed but me and my stupidity and overreaching ways. #ROTFLMAO
I will be writing a research paper for the interim course. I love to write so it will be fun, but it will be equally challenging as well because I have to start the research first by assuming the role of an instructor, per se. I have to come up with a survey, questionnaire, or form of communication with one student from each of the four courses I was enrolled in this fall (including my fall flex course). I was fortunate to have gotten the full cooperation of four students who I think highly of...not only because they are serious and studious, but because they are well-rounded individuals who appear to have their act together (my English prof would end up with an ear worm (sort of) if she read that idiom I just wrote...it's all good - it's just a blog, which is why I am also using contractions...my bad, dear prof.).
I must admit that the last student I needed from the computer-related night class that we took together, well, she was the most difficult to get to agree to this. Not because she did not want to at first, but because she is quiet, perhaps reserved, and because she did not accept my previous invitations to partake in group activities away from class (mostly study group activities). I love talking to people, and maybe the fact that I am too chatty made her leery of past invites. Again - I must say: "it is what it is!" The only thing that matters is that she is on board now, and she has especially complimented the awesome group of students who will be making the winter interim research paper easier for me to get through...knock wood.
Life is good, people are good...when you have the opportunity to have both, take it, and enjoy the hell out of it! ~ D.D. Carey
― Bernard M. Baruch
...Well, the end of the fall semester is just days from being over. "Finals Week," is almost upon us; however, there are a couple of classes that allowed students to take their final this week. So, that's two down for me, but two to go. And, let's just say that the angst, that is accompanied by the torture of preparing for exams, is hitting everyone hard; for me, it is especially hard. Not because of the studying required, because I can "hang" with the best of 'em, but because of those damned feelings I have been experiencing - the freaking melancholy. I am taking an honor's online course this winter interim, and I am excited for that; however, it does not really replace the actual interaction one has with other students and instructors. But, as I like to say often: "it is what it is!"
Regarding the winter course, it is going to be difficult because it is going to go fast, but I knew what I was getting into when I was asked to sign up for it...and when I agreed to it. If I do well, then good for me (and kudos to the awesome prof who is teaching the course), but if I fall flat on my face, then no one is to be blamed but me and my stupidity and overreaching ways. #ROTFLMAO
I will be writing a research paper for the interim course. I love to write so it will be fun, but it will be equally challenging as well because I have to start the research first by assuming the role of an instructor, per se. I have to come up with a survey, questionnaire, or form of communication with one student from each of the four courses I was enrolled in this fall (including my fall flex course). I was fortunate to have gotten the full cooperation of four students who I think highly of...not only because they are serious and studious, but because they are well-rounded individuals who appear to have their act together (my English prof would end up with an ear worm (sort of) if she read that idiom I just wrote...it's all good - it's just a blog, which is why I am also using contractions...my bad, dear prof.).
I must admit that the last student I needed from the computer-related night class that we took together, well, she was the most difficult to get to agree to this. Not because she did not want to at first, but because she is quiet, perhaps reserved, and because she did not accept my previous invitations to partake in group activities away from class (mostly study group activities). I love talking to people, and maybe the fact that I am too chatty made her leery of past invites. Again - I must say: "it is what it is!" The only thing that matters is that she is on board now, and she has especially complimented the awesome group of students who will be making the winter interim research paper easier for me to get through...knock wood.
Life is good, people are good...when you have the opportunity to have both, take it, and enjoy the hell out of it! ~ D.D. Carey
Thursday, November 27, 2014
Dora's Corner: HAPPY HOLIDAYS!: HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY 2014!
Warm wishes for a beautiful holiday.
Gathering with loved ones and good friends.
Remembering those we lost, but the wonderful memories
and lessons each of them taught us;
especially that life is still awesome, and that
we have so much to continue to be grateful for every single day.
I especially remember Mama on this, her favorite holiday,
and the remarkable person she was;
she was simply...magnanimous and beautiful~
I strive to be like her.
Blessings to every one everywhere!
At the end of the day,
Thanksgiving is...
Family, community, fellowship, gorging and football.
- LOL -
And, hopefully in that order...
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Dora's Corner: Hicksville, U.S.A.: When Did That Happen!
Okay, here is my issue for the day...we were shopping at the local Academy (sporting good's store), and we were appalled at all the sad, awful music that was being played in the store. We visited both our local store in Midland and the one in Odessa - the same bad music at each store (ugh). 'Not sure if the music being played is on a loop, all I know is that it is country (really whiney country with a severe twang), and it is awful. Furthermore, and it saddens me to say, but the damned awful music is indicative of the (too many) hillbillies that have invaded west Texas. Geez, as if there weren't enough hillbillies in west Texas before the oil boom hit. The same oil boom that caused the massive influx of people from all-walks-of-life. The same oil boom that is raping our land, might I add.
I cannot wait to move from this forsaken place. The Permian Basin is the new Sodom and Gomorrah.
Anyway...the same rif-raf that Midland was trying (in vain) to prevent from invading their precious, Christian-right area when the idea of allowing a casino to be constructed in neighboring Stanton, are the same rif-raf that the oil-boom brought. Worse, the rif-raf that the casinos may or not have brought to west Texas would have been here for a few days of gambling then back to their respective homes would the visitors have gone. However, because of the oil boom, the rif-raf are here to stay for an undetermined amount of time. I guess the hillbilly music (and the HB peeps) will continue to plague our area ... at least we always have NYC as a second place to call home ... soon, I hope.
I cannot wait to move from this forsaken place. The Permian Basin is the new Sodom and Gomorrah.
Anyway...the same rif-raf that Midland was trying (in vain) to prevent from invading their precious, Christian-right area when the idea of allowing a casino to be constructed in neighboring Stanton, are the same rif-raf that the oil-boom brought. Worse, the rif-raf that the casinos may or not have brought to west Texas would have been here for a few days of gambling then back to their respective homes would the visitors have gone. However, because of the oil boom, the rif-raf are here to stay for an undetermined amount of time. I guess the hillbilly music (and the HB peeps) will continue to plague our area ... at least we always have NYC as a second place to call home ... soon, I hope.
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Self-Indulgence: Simply...Missing You!
Missing
you, dearly missing you.
The
time is drawing nearer and no more seeing you.
Oh,
but we have only spoken a few times.
But
that one special glance was all it took.
I
know you know me, but do you know how I feel.
I
doubt that you do, you hardly ever reply.
I’ve
tried reaching out to you, but my pleas you ignore.
Am I
just someone you see every day as you stride by.
Or
am I someone you equally like but also cannot approach.
I
long to be near you, to see you, to hear you.
I
stand alone, silent, never talking, never seen, never close enough.
I
don’t know what to do anymore, I am lost.
Maybe fate decreed that you not be a part of my world.
It makes me weak, breaks my heart, and makes me somber.
I
will let you go, though sadly, you were never mine.
But I wish you forever love and always to be well.
But I wish you forever love and always to be well.
My
days without you won’t soon be easy to cope with – not at all.
For
you are not in my life as I had hoped, not even for a stolen second.
One
day maybe we will meet again – I do not know - I can hope.
Time cheats us...I
continue missing you, dearly missing you.
Monday, November 24, 2014
Dora's Corner: The Nightmare That Came True: The Two Wrong Shoes!
...You know the nightmare: you are in your underwear in front of a crowd of people...maybe at school, at work, or somewhere public; you are wearing the wrong pair of shoes, one is brown, one is black; you are at the wrong location for an important meeting or event; you arrive to an important event really late; and the nightmare scenarios go on and on and... Why do you suppose we have these dreams. I am by no way trying to get psychological or trying to interpret dreams. I am basically asking a rhetorical question about nightmares that have plagued all of us at one time or another. The answers vary if you ask different people about nightmares. Some say they are because a person is feeling unaccomplished, alone, scared, nervous, etc. My guess is that we experience these nightmarish dreams because we are feeling insecure. Let me elaborate with a hellish day I just experienced.
Last Friday, I woke up a little later than usual (my drive is long as I live across town from MC). I almost put on two different shoes, and almost wore a shirt that needed pressing before cognizance set in. I was tired, but ready for the weekly test in English that morning. I got to campus with ten minutes to spare so I studied a little more. This week we finished the definition rhetorical mode, and began on the cause and effect (causal mode/chain) mode. At the onset of the test, I almost wrote about the wrong prompt, but I caught myself in time to correct my f--- up and ended up getting a 100.
After English, I tended to some important matters before I ended up at the computer lab. I like doing my assignments that are due on Monday mornings the Friday before so that I can focus on the other computer assignments during the weekend. Well, this particular Friday I was feeling restless. Maybe due to being tired, but I was missing someone. Yes, missing someone. A person I would like to get to know and talk to, but the person "throws me to the doggies" (lol). It is more than that. I just needed to be around other people. I stayed on campus and went to the LRC (library), met with a professor, then ended up in the computer lab until I just could not focus so I left. I had an essay to turn in for English so I thought I would finish it at home later. I also needed to eat.
I get home and eat; I watch some tele (Covert Affairs cause I LOVE me some Piper Perabo - ahh), too. I almost fell asleep, but since I have never liked napping during the day, I got up to finish that essay. I looked for my jumpdrive, but it is nowhere to be found. It is not in the usual security of the small pocket in my jeans, it is not in my saddle-bag, it is not on the butcher-block, it is not on the floor anywhere, it is not in the car, it is not in the garage...then it hits me: "you left the damn drive in the g-damn computer lab!" Panic sets in because the lab closes at 2pm on Fridays, and it was already 3:30. I think about who I can call. I have a friend who knows someone who works at the college, and I also have a dear friend who teaches English there, but then I decide that this situation calls for immediate and personal attention, if you will. I tell myself: "you need to get your ass in the car and drive there and make someone open the g-damn door!" That is what I did, but I was nice about it. I have learned that you do, in fact, catch more bees with honey. The professor whose door I knocked on did not have a scan card to open the computer lab, but she suggested I call the campus police. She had a lot of papers to grade, but she was gracious and understanding enough to get the police phone number for me. The police dispatch employee was nice as was the officer who showed up and unlocked the lab for me to retrieve my jump drive. The nice computer lab person, whom I have befriended, thankfully left the drive by the computer where we sign into in the lab so I grabbed it and kissed it. I would have kissed the officer, too, but he is so NOT my type. LOL. Aside from the important essay that was due later that night, I had so many important files on that drive. I would have been in a deep pile of ---- had it not been in the lab!
I got over those feeling of being sad and somber (melancholy - there's that word again). It is funny how an event can get you out of a slump and make you rethink how lucky you really are. Anyway, I came home and finished the paper that had been eluding me for completion since it was assigned three days ago. I worked on some other assignments, and I had to make beaucoup phone calls. Each time I spoke to a person, if he or she mentioned that they had had a bad day, I brought up my day and the eventful scavenger hunt to retrieve the jump drive.
Last Friday, I woke up a little later than usual (my drive is long as I live across town from MC). I almost put on two different shoes, and almost wore a shirt that needed pressing before cognizance set in. I was tired, but ready for the weekly test in English that morning. I got to campus with ten minutes to spare so I studied a little more. This week we finished the definition rhetorical mode, and began on the cause and effect (causal mode/chain) mode. At the onset of the test, I almost wrote about the wrong prompt, but I caught myself in time to correct my f--- up and ended up getting a 100.
After English, I tended to some important matters before I ended up at the computer lab. I like doing my assignments that are due on Monday mornings the Friday before so that I can focus on the other computer assignments during the weekend. Well, this particular Friday I was feeling restless. Maybe due to being tired, but I was missing someone. Yes, missing someone. A person I would like to get to know and talk to, but the person "throws me to the doggies" (lol). It is more than that. I just needed to be around other people. I stayed on campus and went to the LRC (library), met with a professor, then ended up in the computer lab until I just could not focus so I left. I had an essay to turn in for English so I thought I would finish it at home later. I also needed to eat.
I get home and eat; I watch some tele (Covert Affairs cause I LOVE me some Piper Perabo - ahh), too. I almost fell asleep, but since I have never liked napping during the day, I got up to finish that essay. I looked for my jumpdrive, but it is nowhere to be found. It is not in the usual security of the small pocket in my jeans, it is not in my saddle-bag, it is not on the butcher-block, it is not on the floor anywhere, it is not in the car, it is not in the garage...then it hits me: "you left the damn drive in the g-damn computer lab!" Panic sets in because the lab closes at 2pm on Fridays, and it was already 3:30. I think about who I can call. I have a friend who knows someone who works at the college, and I also have a dear friend who teaches English there, but then I decide that this situation calls for immediate and personal attention, if you will. I tell myself: "you need to get your ass in the car and drive there and make someone open the g-damn door!" That is what I did, but I was nice about it. I have learned that you do, in fact, catch more bees with honey. The professor whose door I knocked on did not have a scan card to open the computer lab, but she suggested I call the campus police. She had a lot of papers to grade, but she was gracious and understanding enough to get the police phone number for me. The police dispatch employee was nice as was the officer who showed up and unlocked the lab for me to retrieve my jump drive. The nice computer lab person, whom I have befriended, thankfully left the drive by the computer where we sign into in the lab so I grabbed it and kissed it. I would have kissed the officer, too, but he is so NOT my type. LOL. Aside from the important essay that was due later that night, I had so many important files on that drive. I would have been in a deep pile of ---- had it not been in the lab!
I got over those feeling of being sad and somber (melancholy - there's that word again). It is funny how an event can get you out of a slump and make you rethink how lucky you really are. Anyway, I came home and finished the paper that had been eluding me for completion since it was assigned three days ago. I worked on some other assignments, and I had to make beaucoup phone calls. Each time I spoke to a person, if he or she mentioned that they had had a bad day, I brought up my day and the eventful scavenger hunt to retrieve the jump drive.
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Dora's Corner: Rewards: The Perks of Going to College!
Going to college is not just about taking courses and getting good grades, it is also about being social and making friends - hopefully you will make one or more good friends that you will have for the rest of your life. My niece, who is enrolled at MC as I am, and I spoke about the topic of why people go to college: the different classes, the things we would change, the things we liked, our ambitions, our ups and down, etc. Mainly, we highlighted the feelings that each of us was trying to overcome lately; the inundating feelings of melancholy. I brought it up because I have not really been able to talk to many people about my feelings, not just the feeling of melancholy, but of some weird association of feeling like I am losing something special. Maybe I haven't learned the art form of not allowing myself to get so attached to people and to things. Maybe I just need to check myself and be more realistic; however, at the end of the day, I like who I am, and that I cherish things and people as I do. Once you have lost as much as I have in my own life, you will learn the other art form of appreciation. I do not overwhelm others or myself by caring too much, but I do put a lot of effort into anything I do or any relationship that I form.
Each day that we get closer to the fall semester coming to a close, I do not rejoice, instead I get a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. Is it crazy for me to feel like this! (rhetorical)... I am almost embarrassed to talk to other people, especially classmates, about how I am feeling because it seems that the more I am saddened about the semester almost ending, others are overjoyed about it; furthermore, some are overtly anxious and are counting the days until the fall semester draws to a close; to most of the overly anxious, college has become blasé and cumbersome. Shame on them is all I can muster for now.
I am so glad that I brought up the topic when my niece and I were riding back home from having watched the wonderful opera, Il Barbiere de Siviglia (Rossini, 1775), yesterday afternoon. My niece drove while I basked in the comforts of her new car loving the new car smell which still permeated the interior of her beautiful car. My bad....I went off on a tangent...
Anyway, it was nice to finally talk to my niece (a.k.a. fellow MC student) who basically shared the same sentiments of melancholy that had been plaguing me lately. We spoke of the wonderful professors whose tutelage we were (respectively) privileged to have been a part of this semester. We also touched upon the many classmates that made us laugh and made some of the more difficult courses easier to deal with when the study material became arduous and demanding. Of course, we delved upon the special classmates who provided more than humorous entertainment and study-group time, we spoke fondly of the few mates who we will miss dearly; those who provided an actual friendship to us when we needed it the most. My niece agreed with me that she had made a couple of good friends in certain classes of hers - as I had done. However, neither of us is certain if we will keep ties or communication with these people, we would like to, but as with so many things in life that have two sides, what we want may not coincide with what the other person wants. In other words, we may want to keep a friendship going; however, they might not. Simple math 1+1=2, but with people, that formula gets tossed and the end result is as vague, vast, and uncertain as is infinity ∞
Each day that we get closer to the fall semester coming to a close, I do not rejoice, instead I get a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. Is it crazy for me to feel like this! (rhetorical)... I am almost embarrassed to talk to other people, especially classmates, about how I am feeling because it seems that the more I am saddened about the semester almost ending, others are overjoyed about it; furthermore, some are overtly anxious and are counting the days until the fall semester draws to a close; to most of the overly anxious, college has become blasé and cumbersome. Shame on them is all I can muster for now.
I am so glad that I brought up the topic when my niece and I were riding back home from having watched the wonderful opera, Il Barbiere de Siviglia (Rossini, 1775), yesterday afternoon. My niece drove while I basked in the comforts of her new car loving the new car smell which still permeated the interior of her beautiful car. My bad....I went off on a tangent...
Anyway, it was nice to finally talk to my niece (a.k.a. fellow MC student) who basically shared the same sentiments of melancholy that had been plaguing me lately. We spoke of the wonderful professors whose tutelage we were (respectively) privileged to have been a part of this semester. We also touched upon the many classmates that made us laugh and made some of the more difficult courses easier to deal with when the study material became arduous and demanding. Of course, we delved upon the special classmates who provided more than humorous entertainment and study-group time, we spoke fondly of the few mates who we will miss dearly; those who provided an actual friendship to us when we needed it the most. My niece agreed with me that she had made a couple of good friends in certain classes of hers - as I had done. However, neither of us is certain if we will keep ties or communication with these people, we would like to, but as with so many things in life that have two sides, what we want may not coincide with what the other person wants. In other words, we may want to keep a friendship going; however, they might not. Simple math 1+1=2, but with people, that formula gets tossed and the end result is as vague, vast, and uncertain as is infinity ∞
Saturday, November 22, 2014
Dora's Corner: Girl's Day Out: A Day at the Met (kind of): Il Barbiere di Siviglia!
So, my niece, who is also enrolled at Midland College, and I attended this afternoon's showing of Il Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini, 1775) at the Century Theater in Odessa. There is a reason why we made the drive over there when Midland has better movie houses and one of them was also showing the well-known opera, but that's another topic for another post. My niece is taking Music Appreciation at MC, and this opera was a requirement for her, and since I love the Opera, I was the lucky one to get to go with her. It was a nice invitation and a nice event. We both love all genres of music, might I add.
We both loved the screening of the opera, which was broadcast live from the one and only THE MET (NYC) via satellite to several theaters around the world (made possible thanks to a generous grant from its founding sponsor, The Neubauer Family Foundation, with additional funding provided by the National Endowment for the Arts).
We both also discussed going to NYC to see an opera live at the awesome Metropolitan Theater (lovingly dubbed "The Met"). Anyway, getting back to Il Barbiere di Siviglia, it certainly did not disappoint. We highly recommend it to anyone interested in the arts. If you have the grand opportunity to see it (or any opera) in NYC, do it. If you are like us, and do not have the luxury because of lack of time (etc.), then, please do yourself a favor and look up the schedule and see when an opera will be shown live at a theater near you via satellite as we did today. It was breathtaking, marvelous, and beautiful. Oh, no, The Barber of Seville did not disappoint. It was everything I had always read and anticipated and more. Boy meets girl, boy falls for girl, boy gets girl, but alas, maybe the union is not as solid...we have to now watch Le Nozze di Figaro (Mozart) to see how the marriage between the protagonist (Almaviva) and his lovely wife (Rosina) endures love's always changing ways.
My niece and I laughed because we each grew up watching Looney Tunes, and we both agreed that our first introduction to this awesome opera by Rossini was when Looney Tunes mimicked it with their version of The Rabbit of Seville (watch via MetaCafe) starring Bugs himself. I guess today, we both grew up as did our taste in music. LOL. It's all good.
We both loved the screening of the opera, which was broadcast live from the one and only THE MET (NYC) via satellite to several theaters around the world (made possible thanks to a generous grant from its founding sponsor, The Neubauer Family Foundation, with additional funding provided by the National Endowment for the Arts).
We both also discussed going to NYC to see an opera live at the awesome Metropolitan Theater (lovingly dubbed "The Met"). Anyway, getting back to Il Barbiere di Siviglia, it certainly did not disappoint. We highly recommend it to anyone interested in the arts. If you have the grand opportunity to see it (or any opera) in NYC, do it. If you are like us, and do not have the luxury because of lack of time (etc.), then, please do yourself a favor and look up the schedule and see when an opera will be shown live at a theater near you via satellite as we did today. It was breathtaking, marvelous, and beautiful. Oh, no, The Barber of Seville did not disappoint. It was everything I had always read and anticipated and more. Boy meets girl, boy falls for girl, boy gets girl, but alas, maybe the union is not as solid...we have to now watch Le Nozze di Figaro (Mozart) to see how the marriage between the protagonist (Almaviva) and his lovely wife (Rosina) endures love's always changing ways.
My niece and I laughed because we each grew up watching Looney Tunes, and we both agreed that our first introduction to this awesome opera by Rossini was when Looney Tunes mimicked it with their version of The Rabbit of Seville (watch via MetaCafe) starring Bugs himself. I guess today, we both grew up as did our taste in music. LOL. It's all good.
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Dora's Corner: Undocumented Immigrants: They Should Do What?!!
Okay, it is time for me to get on my almighty soapbox, but believe me, this rant is well worth my time in writing it, and hopefully the time of whatever audience this blog generates.
While waiting for a meeting with a professor, I overheard the prof talking to a student, actually, the prof was tutoring (or trying to tutor) the student. The topic that they were reviewing from the student's essay involved undocumented immigrants. The student kept referring to them as "illegals" while the prof kept trying to get the student to change the wording. Regardless of the student's lack of empathy for the negative and difficult position which undocumented works find themselves, she should have at least refrained from using such derogatory language for the academic audience for which essays are written...
The student argued with the prof on several stances. The prof was getting agitated, but I have to give the prof high praises for keeping her cool and still getting her point across. The prof was merely trying to explain the rhetorical method and proper writer's craft to the student, but the student was too hell bent on insisting that: "those illegals need to go back to Mexico"..."they are mooching off the government"..."they are taking all the welfare benefits from Americans that need them" (BTW, dear student, people from Mexico are Americans)...and lastly, the most typical, over-used, and incorrectly used assumption: "those illegals are taking jobs from us in the United States."
The student is suffering from a naivete that I won't even try to justify with a reply or a debate. The student needs to read about the causal effects and why she needs to avoid the rhetorical fallacy, hasty generalization, personal attack/loss of audience, questionable authority, false analogy, either or fallacy, red herring, slippery slope, stereotyping...all the wrong things that one should avoid while writing in the cause and effect mode, well, this student managed to incorrectly include many of the "don't(s)" in her essay. No wonder the prof seemed a bit perturbed when she tried to explain what the student was doing wrong (the student hardly did anything correct, it seems), and how to fix it for an academic audience, but the student was not listening.
It took a lot for me to keep quiet. I wanted to lash out at the student for incorrectly stereo-typing the undocumented immigrants because there is more behind why people from Mexico are in the United States. The area is vastly gray; however, the student just saw black and white (another incorrect process in an essay). The other thing that upset me was how the student kind of disrespected the professor. I like this professor; she has taught me a lot, and I have enjoyed our conversations in and outside of class. I respect the professor because she has gone to college and put in her time towards becoming an educator; she has earned the right to be respected and treated well. The prof is younger than I am, but that does not matter to me...she should be respected. She never disrespects others - even when other people act like asses. Another reason I stayed quiet was the obvious, the conversation was between a professor and a student, and did not include me. I mainly stayed silent in respect for the professor - not the lame student, with the one-sided point of view that had no rhyme or logic to whatever rhetorical mode she was incorrectly trying to argue. Give me a fucking break, ignorant student.
BTW, I can use the personal attack...it's my blog, and I'll attack if I want to. #ROTFLMAO!
While waiting for a meeting with a professor, I overheard the prof talking to a student, actually, the prof was tutoring (or trying to tutor) the student. The topic that they were reviewing from the student's essay involved undocumented immigrants. The student kept referring to them as "illegals" while the prof kept trying to get the student to change the wording. Regardless of the student's lack of empathy for the negative and difficult position which undocumented works find themselves, she should have at least refrained from using such derogatory language for the academic audience for which essays are written...
The student argued with the prof on several stances. The prof was getting agitated, but I have to give the prof high praises for keeping her cool and still getting her point across. The prof was merely trying to explain the rhetorical method and proper writer's craft to the student, but the student was too hell bent on insisting that: "those illegals need to go back to Mexico"..."they are mooching off the government"..."they are taking all the welfare benefits from Americans that need them" (BTW, dear student, people from Mexico are Americans)...and lastly, the most typical, over-used, and incorrectly used assumption: "those illegals are taking jobs from us in the United States."
The student is suffering from a naivete that I won't even try to justify with a reply or a debate. The student needs to read about the causal effects and why she needs to avoid the rhetorical fallacy, hasty generalization, personal attack/loss of audience, questionable authority, false analogy, either or fallacy, red herring, slippery slope, stereotyping...all the wrong things that one should avoid while writing in the cause and effect mode, well, this student managed to incorrectly include many of the "don't(s)" in her essay. No wonder the prof seemed a bit perturbed when she tried to explain what the student was doing wrong (the student hardly did anything correct, it seems), and how to fix it for an academic audience, but the student was not listening.
It took a lot for me to keep quiet. I wanted to lash out at the student for incorrectly stereo-typing the undocumented immigrants because there is more behind why people from Mexico are in the United States. The area is vastly gray; however, the student just saw black and white (another incorrect process in an essay). The other thing that upset me was how the student kind of disrespected the professor. I like this professor; she has taught me a lot, and I have enjoyed our conversations in and outside of class. I respect the professor because she has gone to college and put in her time towards becoming an educator; she has earned the right to be respected and treated well. The prof is younger than I am, but that does not matter to me...she should be respected. She never disrespects others - even when other people act like asses. Another reason I stayed quiet was the obvious, the conversation was between a professor and a student, and did not include me. I mainly stayed silent in respect for the professor - not the lame student, with the one-sided point of view that had no rhyme or logic to whatever rhetorical mode she was incorrectly trying to argue. Give me a fucking break, ignorant student.
BTW, I can use the personal attack...it's my blog, and I'll attack if I want to. #ROTFLMAO!
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Dora's Corner: Youth Is Wasted on the Young: Wishing I Knew Then What I Know Now!
Lately, I have come to question many decisions I made in my life beginning from when I was in my 20s. I made some terrible decisions, but still, the good ones outweighed the bad ones. The biggest regret was not finishing college at Texas Tech. Those were wonderful times, yet, they were often muddled with clouds of uncertainty and fear. Those, my friends, were my obstacles, if you will. I have had some really terrific jobs/careers which afforded me the ability to travel the U.S. and Canada. It also afforded me the ability to see the country sometimes with loved ones in tow, who in turn, also got the opportunity to see several parts of our beautiful country. The pay was always substantial (in abounds at times) and that is all I need to say about that. My regret has little to nothing with how much money I have made; monetary issues are obsolete in this point I am trying to make; however, I do regret that I did not take up other opportunities that I had along the way through to the maturity level of today. That sounded weird, but I am going with it.
If the youth of today (20s) had the ability to travel forward into time, the ability that unfortunately none of us has, then they would see how taking things for granted and not pouncing on certain opportunities would be something they would well regret. Had I had a time machine (oh, Jules Verne: Où étiez-vous avec vos idées de science-fiction! and Isaac Asimov, the same question: Where were you with your sci-fi ideas?).
Sure, I am back on track after several years to complete a certain educational journey which long eluded me or rather I eluded it. I am back in college for the umpteenth time, but this time things are extremely different, and with God's help (I'm really not that religious, but I acknowledge His existence), I will succeed this time around.
One piece of advice to the younger crowd at MC, stay in college, get a degree and definitely allow the world to be your oyster. Do NOT be stupidly stupid, arrogantly arrogant, and for certain, do NOT believe that you know more than anyone else. I can assure you that you are not intelligent the minute you close yourself off to the idea of learning from others.
Sunday, November 16, 2014
Dora's Corner: Paranoia Will Destroy 'Ya! Guns in the Home!
Hell, YES, I am political as well!
Anyway, during my usual viewing of tele in the morning before my day explodes into a hellish start, I like to watch certain shows (news, sports, political, financial - never reality shows, but that is a topic for another post). I should explain first that, on Sundays, I like to start my day off being productive in order to enjoy the afternoons with family and friends doing whatever is on the agenda, but mostly I like to have my evenings free to catch episodes of two of my favorite tele shows Madam Secretary (CBS) and The Newsroom (HBO).
Well, this a.m., I started off by watching an episode of Take Part which is an informative show that discusses politics, culture, finance, social issues, and other topics in a nutshell. It was recently added to our cable subscription line-up, and I have personally enjoyed it. One of the topics for this morning's episode (not sure if it was live or a rerun) touched upon the ever-weaving, ever-controversial, gun-control issues. I am a proponent of allowing people to carry guns, but I am by no means a card-carrying member of the much- too-radical NRA. I believe in the Second Amendment, but to a point. The main exclusionary proposals/rules/regulations which place a limit or much-needed block on this beautifully-crafted amendment are too complex for me to list here.
Getting back to the topic regarding today's episode, Study Finds More Americans Believe Having Guns at Home Keeps Them Safe, it was revealed that an alarming amount of Americans find that having guns in the home make them feel more safe and better protected. 63% of Americans subscribe to that theory...that's 6 out of 10 households! WOW and SMH!
I do not believe 100% in gun-toting, but I neither knock down others who exercise the right...as long as they do not stockpile, sell or buy illegally, break any laws with firearms, or break any laws in the 2nd amendment that state more clearly and effectively the provisions and exclusions.
I might/might not have a weapon, but it might/might not be situated in a place that no one can get to it besides the people who live in our home. Too many young ones (family/friends) come over at any given moment, so we must be careful in this household; I would hate the idea of one of our younger family members or friends to get injured because of an unproperly stored weapon in our home.
Before I end today's post, I must add that I subscribe to the other theory that most people who carry weapons are more likely to get killed by them. Just sayin'!
Democrats remained steadily in favor at 41%
Republicans jumped 28 points to a not-so-surprising 81%
Independents increased 14 points to 64%
Anyway, during my usual viewing of tele in the morning before my day explodes into a hellish start, I like to watch certain shows (news, sports, political, financial - never reality shows, but that is a topic for another post). I should explain first that, on Sundays, I like to start my day off being productive in order to enjoy the afternoons with family and friends doing whatever is on the agenda, but mostly I like to have my evenings free to catch episodes of two of my favorite tele shows Madam Secretary (CBS) and The Newsroom (HBO).
Well, this a.m., I started off by watching an episode of Take Part which is an informative show that discusses politics, culture, finance, social issues, and other topics in a nutshell. It was recently added to our cable subscription line-up, and I have personally enjoyed it. One of the topics for this morning's episode (not sure if it was live or a rerun) touched upon the ever-weaving, ever-controversial, gun-control issues. I am a proponent of allowing people to carry guns, but I am by no means a card-carrying member of the much- too-radical NRA. I believe in the Second Amendment, but to a point. The main exclusionary proposals/rules/regulations which place a limit or much-needed block on this beautifully-crafted amendment are too complex for me to list here.
Getting back to the topic regarding today's episode, Study Finds More Americans Believe Having Guns at Home Keeps Them Safe, it was revealed that an alarming amount of Americans find that having guns in the home make them feel more safe and better protected. 63% of Americans subscribe to that theory...that's 6 out of 10 households! WOW and SMH!
I do not believe 100% in gun-toting, but I neither knock down others who exercise the right...as long as they do not stockpile, sell or buy illegally, break any laws with firearms, or break any laws in the 2nd amendment that state more clearly and effectively the provisions and exclusions.
I might/might not have a weapon, but it might/might not be situated in a place that no one can get to it besides the people who live in our home. Too many young ones (family/friends) come over at any given moment, so we must be careful in this household; I would hate the idea of one of our younger family members or friends to get injured because of an unproperly stored weapon in our home.
Before I end today's post, I must add that I subscribe to the other theory that most people who carry weapons are more likely to get killed by them. Just sayin'!
*************************************************************************
Here are the figures that show who favors guns in the home (according to political affiliation) more details available via Gallup Poll:Democrats remained steadily in favor at 41%
Republicans jumped 28 points to a not-so-surprising 81%
Independents increased 14 points to 64%
Saturday, November 15, 2014
Self-Indulgence: Days of Wine and Roses: A REGEDIT FIX!
Days of Wine and Roses
One of the things that I love to do, when I have the time, is to watch
old movies on TCM. It is a reward to
myself especially after a tiring and trying day/week; a moment of unadulterated, self-indulgence,
if you will.
This a.m. I was up early as usual, but I had to perform some dire
updates/maintenance on my HP desktop. During
my early morning maintenance ala fix-the-damn-system, I made myself take a deep breath,
turn on the tele, and watch an old movie starring Jack Lemmon and Lee
Remick. The movie was “Days of Wine and Roses,” and it was also the muse for today’s title post. I had to do something to get myself away from
the computer so that I could focus on the issue then develop a proper fix later. Plus, I had to
forget the awful experience I had last night with the MS technician who tried
(in vain) to help me restore my MS Office 365.
The tech was friendly, but not very knowledgeable, and needless to
say…she did not help with my 365 issue.
So, I had to plan to wake up early this day in order to fix the issue on
my own. I had to run my comp in safe
mode, create a system restore point then run it, manually uninstall/install (no
RevoUninstallar) MS 365, then I had to
use the property data files of some software programs that I installed as a
college course-related beta-project, to fully uninstall those cumbersome and
(negatively) infectious software programs and apps. Yeah, I used their own property data to get
them the f--- out of my registry and system.
THEN… I had to manually fix the regedit.exe (registry) in order to
properly reset and assign default associations to certain programs (i.e. MS Word.doc).
It was a handful to jot down, can you
imagine actually having to perform each and every single action.
Anyhooowwww…
The movie I mentioned just had me shaking my head for most of the
duration, and I kept uttering the word “disgusting” to myself – sometimes out
loud. The synopsis of the legendary movie with the
legendary troupers: a young couple happen to meet by chance
(isn’t that how all romantic movies begin? LOL!); they have a misunderstanding;
they fall deeply, madly in love (is there any other kind of love in CINE?); they
get married (“boy gets girl” and vice versa – thank-you!); they, of course, have
a baby; they develop marital issues (they should have) that stem from the booze that they both equally
love; they separate (the separation is not shown, but rather is implied by
time-elapsing sequences); then as one tries to get sober, the other does not even
want to try; lastly, the movie ends with you kind of pitying one person in
the failed relationship but feeling disgusted with the other; for certain, one feels badly for the child. Don’t get me wrong, through-out the entire
movie there is equal disgust for the couple, but at the end of the movie, you
can at least forgive the one who is trying to change for the sake of the child
among other obvious reasons. It was a
good movie - as always, thanks TCM - for the wonderful movies of days long
past. In conclusion, the movie serves as
a reminder of how good things still are no matter how bleak they may appear on
any given day or moment. At the end of
the day, at least life is not as mucked up as the lives of the two nutcases in
the movie.
To paraphrase the words of one Rain Man…”it was definitely, definitely”
3 out of 5 stars.Friday, November 14, 2014
Dora's Corner: Mourning A Loved Ones Does Not Make One Weak, It Proves You Are Strong: Missing My Mom!
So, my wonderful, beautiful, caring mother passed away one week before Thanksgiving three years ago on the 17th day that November. I should add that Thanksgiving was mom's favorite holiday. "It brings us all together" is what she often would say. I was with her when the doctors came in with the devastating news on Valentine's Day morning (2011) that changed our lives forever. She was given a few months to live, and I grieved; I grieved from that point on until the day she went home to meet her Maker - still to this very day, I grieve. I did not grieve in front of mom because she asked me to be strong on that bleak Valentine's Day, so for her, I made her and my sisters and other family members laugh as much as I could. When I had a moment for myself, I grieved. But that is something I do not wish to elaborate on for now. I kept memoirs of the event, and maybe one day I will share it with everyone. Not sure yet.
Anyway...a college friend asked me the other day about my mom, and I had wonderful things and stories to tell him about her. I am a chatter so heed my warning when I say that if you get me started on a topic that I love, well, just be ready to spend a lot of time listening to me. Just kidding; however, I do like to talk, and I love to meet people and "pick their brain."
During the conversation he asked me something that kind of shocked me because the words he uttered in questioning me were unnatural (at least they were to me). I soon realized as he tried nervously to explain that he did not have a good mother like I did; his mother was mean to him, and they were estranged.
I humored him (and I felt badly for him) as I answered his question (paraphrasing):
"Do you miss your mom all the time, and do you think about her often since she passed away?"
My reply was simply this (verbatim):
"I think of Mama and miss her everyday that ends in a 'y' and every second that includes a number!"
Corny response? Heck, NO, not to me!
Anyway...a college friend asked me the other day about my mom, and I had wonderful things and stories to tell him about her. I am a chatter so heed my warning when I say that if you get me started on a topic that I love, well, just be ready to spend a lot of time listening to me. Just kidding; however, I do like to talk, and I love to meet people and "pick their brain."
During the conversation he asked me something that kind of shocked me because the words he uttered in questioning me were unnatural (at least they were to me). I soon realized as he tried nervously to explain that he did not have a good mother like I did; his mother was mean to him, and they were estranged.
I humored him (and I felt badly for him) as I answered his question (paraphrasing):
"Do you miss your mom all the time, and do you think about her often since she passed away?"
My reply was simply this (verbatim):
"I think of Mama and miss her everyday that ends in a 'y' and every second that includes a number!"
Corny response? Heck, NO, not to me!
HOLIDAYS: FAMILY GATHERING PLANNED for THANKSGIVING DAY!
...Thanksgiving this year at Betty's home at 2 pm.
Please know that you are all welcome!
Help spread the word to everyone else in our family.
If you would, please let Betty and me know what you can bring.
I am cooking a couple of turkeys, my sis Aurora is making the stuffing,
... that is all I know right now.
If you want, call Betty and check with her,
but still let me know so that I can keep updating the info
on our Dominguez Family Blog and via Facebook for those on that social media site.
Love to all and 'cannot wait to see each and everyone of you.
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Dora's Corner: Butterflies Waiting to be Set Free: If You Like Someone...Tell Them NOW!
"Sometimes the heart sees what is invisible to the eye."
One of my college classmates was telling me of a recent event that has created quiet a quandary in her life of late. She is seriously attracted to one of her other classmates. The problem right away is the fact that they are of the same-gender; a fact that I see no problem with because as I told her: "love is love!" I must admit that I rather enjoyed my conversation with her. I loaned my advice only upon request. I told her that the worst thing that could happen if she reached out to this person was that the person did not return the same affections, but at least she (my friend) would know the truth. IMO, the unknown is often worse than the opposite. Unrequited feelings is something that will probably bring angst to my college friend's life, but in due time, she will overcome and life will revert to normal. Whatever that is this thing people dub "normal"!
I told her about the synopsis surrounding the love story about the butterflies. A brief explanation...there once was a young man who liked this other young man, both in the same grade in high school, but he never had the guts to approach him because of being of the same-sex. The first young man eventually graduated college and became a successful attorney (never married), but still he thought about the other young man. One day, while the first young man (now a man in his early 30s) is waiting for his train to arrive at the depot, he spots his crush. The other young man has turned into a dashing gentleman (also in his 30s), and is dressed quite debonair. The first gentleman approaches the man who long captured his fancy, and it turns out that the second man also had an attraction to the first man. I told my friend that I was not going to tell her the ending because it is not yet known...the two are still together and are very happy.
Bottom line, I told my college friend to just approach the other person, and go for it. I told her to be mindful, respectful, and gentle. If the feelings are not mutual, she needs to accept it, and whatever relationship is mutually attainable at that point. But, to be ready to lose a friend in case the other person cannot accept such a revelation, and freaks out. A true friend might freak, but will eventually return to the nice, safe domain of a true friendship if such ever did exist.
Notwithstanding, if things do go well between my friend and her crush, upon certain feelings being exposed, then kudos to them both, and may they be as happy as butterflies no longer waiting to be set free.
Here is a link to a funny story I read a while ago: How to Tell if You Genuinely Like Someone
One of my college classmates was telling me of a recent event that has created quiet a quandary in her life of late. She is seriously attracted to one of her other classmates. The problem right away is the fact that they are of the same-gender; a fact that I see no problem with because as I told her: "love is love!" I must admit that I rather enjoyed my conversation with her. I loaned my advice only upon request. I told her that the worst thing that could happen if she reached out to this person was that the person did not return the same affections, but at least she (my friend) would know the truth. IMO, the unknown is often worse than the opposite. Unrequited feelings is something that will probably bring angst to my college friend's life, but in due time, she will overcome and life will revert to normal. Whatever that is this thing people dub "normal"!
I told her about the synopsis surrounding the love story about the butterflies. A brief explanation...there once was a young man who liked this other young man, both in the same grade in high school, but he never had the guts to approach him because of being of the same-sex. The first young man eventually graduated college and became a successful attorney (never married), but still he thought about the other young man. One day, while the first young man (now a man in his early 30s) is waiting for his train to arrive at the depot, he spots his crush. The other young man has turned into a dashing gentleman (also in his 30s), and is dressed quite debonair. The first gentleman approaches the man who long captured his fancy, and it turns out that the second man also had an attraction to the first man. I told my friend that I was not going to tell her the ending because it is not yet known...the two are still together and are very happy.
Bottom line, I told my college friend to just approach the other person, and go for it. I told her to be mindful, respectful, and gentle. If the feelings are not mutual, she needs to accept it, and whatever relationship is mutually attainable at that point. But, to be ready to lose a friend in case the other person cannot accept such a revelation, and freaks out. A true friend might freak, but will eventually return to the nice, safe domain of a true friendship if such ever did exist.
Notwithstanding, if things do go well between my friend and her crush, upon certain feelings being exposed, then kudos to them both, and may they be as happy as butterflies no longer waiting to be set free.
Here is a link to a funny story I read a while ago: How to Tell if You Genuinely Like Someone
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Self-Indulgence: Being Successfully Wise or Wisely Successful!
"Along with success comes a reputation for wisdom." ~ Euripides
It's just a simple quote to ponder today as we try to stay warm. As soon as I came home from another eventful day at college, I read and wrote. One of my favorite things to do is to get organized, so yeah, I am overkill in that department. But it is okay (for me) because it keeps me busy, and it makes me better at my job and with my college work.
The ability to be organized is one of the examples, quizzas, that Euripides was referring to in his aforementioned quote. If so, hooray for me. J.K. However, I still procrastinate - so no one come out with ribbons or prizes for me because I have my faults; many faults.
As I touched upon regarding the weather, it has been a little chilly for the last two days, but not too bad. I have pulled out my leather jacket and worn it only because the wind has been prickly and the wind chill has been contemptuously beating down on one's skin ; ominous weather to come, that is for certain.
I believe that the weather (more like "whether") forecasters are touting the fact that another cold front is fast approaching our area, thus making it cold for the next few days. To that comment and to that idea, I say: "bring it on, Windy and Gus!" Windy for the harsh winds that blow from her belly, working ever so passionately and arduously to get all the attention that she can because her time for swagger is quick and abrupt. I often tell my 20 year old niece that Windy is never invited to events, yet...there she is. As for Gus, well, Windy is the nemesis to Gus. Gus's soft winds are quiet and shallow and lesser traits of this mellow zephyr. While the almighty Windy blows vast amounts of strong winds, Gus is timidly blowing soft spurts of nothingness.
Oh, do not ask what that was about...I am entitled to moments of "WTF!"
It's just a simple quote to ponder today as we try to stay warm. As soon as I came home from another eventful day at college, I read and wrote. One of my favorite things to do is to get organized, so yeah, I am overkill in that department. But it is okay (for me) because it keeps me busy, and it makes me better at my job and with my college work.
The ability to be organized is one of the examples, quizzas, that Euripides was referring to in his aforementioned quote. If so, hooray for me. J.K. However, I still procrastinate - so no one come out with ribbons or prizes for me because I have my faults; many faults.
As I touched upon regarding the weather, it has been a little chilly for the last two days, but not too bad. I have pulled out my leather jacket and worn it only because the wind has been prickly and the wind chill has been contemptuously beating down on one's skin ; ominous weather to come, that is for certain.
I believe that the weather (more like "whether") forecasters are touting the fact that another cold front is fast approaching our area, thus making it cold for the next few days. To that comment and to that idea, I say: "bring it on, Windy and Gus!" Windy for the harsh winds that blow from her belly, working ever so passionately and arduously to get all the attention that she can because her time for swagger is quick and abrupt. I often tell my 20 year old niece that Windy is never invited to events, yet...there she is. As for Gus, well, Windy is the nemesis to Gus. Gus's soft winds are quiet and shallow and lesser traits of this mellow zephyr. While the almighty Windy blows vast amounts of strong winds, Gus is timidly blowing soft spurts of nothingness.
Oh, do not ask what that was about...I am entitled to moments of "WTF!"
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Dora's Corner: Filing and Cabinets: No, It Is Not Administrative Professionals' Day! The State of Texas is Readying for 84th Legislative Regular Session 2015!
Okay, let's get this straight, I attended the politically-lead classroom meeting this afternoon for extra credit; not that I need it, but I do like seeing politicians in person to hear what they have to say. The politician may not always be a member of the same political party with which I define myself and give my support and allegiance; however, I allow myself an open mind, and I listen to "the other guy." Often bored, but I listen.
Anyhow, the meeting was lead by the District 82 (Republican) HoR who represents Midland and surrounding areas. Let's leave names out of it, if you will. You may take whatever meaning you want from that last statement. It is a play on words. Think about it. You can either think I was refraining from calling the HoR a bad name - or - that his name is not important enough for me to write down. Think of it as we, John Lennon fans, feel about John's murderer; the murderer is not important enough to mention, and by not mentioning "his" name, Lennon fans refrain from lending the s.o.b. killer any credibility or notoriety; both things that the s.o.b. was seeking. It is a credo started by John's widow, Yoko Ono, and famous Beatles band mate, Paul McCartney. I kid the people...I would never call a politician an s.o.b. or an ass (unless he deserved it), but I would neither dare put the District 82 HoR in the same category as the one and only (legendary) John Lennon; "Imagine!" I merely decided not to write the D-Rep's name down because his political views and platform differ greatly from mine. Besides, I do not see "him" putting my name down on his blog.
Anyway...back from my tangent...
Anyhow, the meeting was lead by the District 82 (Republican) HoR who represents Midland and surrounding areas. Let's leave names out of it, if you will. You may take whatever meaning you want from that last statement. It is a play on words. Think about it. You can either think I was refraining from calling the HoR a bad name - or - that his name is not important enough for me to write down. Think of it as we, John Lennon fans, feel about John's murderer; the murderer is not important enough to mention, and by not mentioning "his" name, Lennon fans refrain from lending the s.o.b. killer any credibility or notoriety; both things that the s.o.b. was seeking. It is a credo started by John's widow, Yoko Ono, and famous Beatles band mate, Paul McCartney. I kid the people...I would never call a politician an s.o.b. or an ass (unless he deserved it), but I would neither dare put the District 82 HoR in the same category as the one and only (legendary) John Lennon; "Imagine!" I merely decided not to write the D-Rep's name down because his political views and platform differ greatly from mine. Besides, I do not see "him" putting my name down on his blog.
Anyway...back from my tangent...
First Day of Filing Draws More Than 350 Bills:
This story captured my attention enough for me to post about it. I only wish that I had not arrived a bit late to the meeting with the District 82 Rep, or I would have referred to it (the story about the 250 bills filed) because, man, did I have a lot of questions. I hate arriving late to anything - it rattles me and mucks up my feung shui and my ability to function. I was late because I had to tutor someone in the Learning Center (a.k.a. library), and before I knew it, the time for the meeting to start was five minutes past. FYI - the library is my sanctuary, all my friends and family know where to find me if I am not in class or answering my cell (LOL). (another tangent?!!)
I almost decided not to attend the politically-based meeting with the D-82 Rep, as I stated, I do not need extra credit (I have a 4.0 in my gov't class), but something was nagging me to go anyway. I am glad I did. I always look forward to seeing my government professor, he has so much to teach and excellent stories to share (especially outside the classroom). It makes the professor happy to see some of his students at these events especially when he has announced them during class; his is big on civil duties and participation. I also got to see my study-buddy there. He is a nice guy. He is from Mexico, and has a lot to teach as well. Soon he will be able to vote, and I plan on bringing him over to the blue-side of politicking. I wish I could have drawn other millennials to the Dem-party during this past Mid-term election. The younger gens need to start taking government seriously and showing up to vote. I was passionate about politics when I first started college years ago so I do not subscribe to the idea that young people (20-30) do not vote because: "they are young, they have no interest in politics at this age, and that young people are not affected by politics; therefore, they do not participate." Bullshit is what I say to that crap. Politics is important and every person matters and every vote does count. Remember the "paradox of participation."
Click on the title above to see what kind of bills were filed for probable review by the legislature when they meet on January 13th to start the Regular Session. Wow, 140 days of nonsensical jibber-jabber and probably getting no real work done - again. LOL.
I almost decided not to attend the politically-based meeting with the D-82 Rep, as I stated, I do not need extra credit (I have a 4.0 in my gov't class), but something was nagging me to go anyway. I am glad I did. I always look forward to seeing my government professor, he has so much to teach and excellent stories to share (especially outside the classroom). It makes the professor happy to see some of his students at these events especially when he has announced them during class; his is big on civil duties and participation. I also got to see my study-buddy there. He is a nice guy. He is from Mexico, and has a lot to teach as well. Soon he will be able to vote, and I plan on bringing him over to the blue-side of politicking. I wish I could have drawn other millennials to the Dem-party during this past Mid-term election. The younger gens need to start taking government seriously and showing up to vote. I was passionate about politics when I first started college years ago so I do not subscribe to the idea that young people (20-30) do not vote because: "they are young, they have no interest in politics at this age, and that young people are not affected by politics; therefore, they do not participate." Bullshit is what I say to that crap. Politics is important and every person matters and every vote does count. Remember the "paradox of participation."
Click on the title above to see what kind of bills were filed for probable review by the legislature when they meet on January 13th to start the Regular Session. Wow, 140 days of nonsensical jibber-jabber and probably getting no real work done - again. LOL.
Monday, November 10, 2014
Self-Indulgence: You Say You Dislike Ppl Sans Social Skills, But You Are One of Them: #SocialMediaFrenzy!
I get a kick (pardon the idiom) out of students who complain about social media (i.e. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc...) and texting. Most students in one of my hybrid courses say that people just need to put down their cell phones and start communicating (face-to-face) with other people around them. That is a huge ROTFLMAO - IMO and a big ole joke. The same students add how they stay clear of social media sites, and then they go on to explain why they "supposedly" refrain from social media. However, I doubt that staying clear of social media is truly their stance. In theory, the students might think that they are steering clear of social media and an over-abundance of texting; yep, this could be how the students view themselves as they stand on an imaginary soap box, but they are WRONG!
I would gladly talk to anyone, but I am not going to always make the first move. I am a believer in equal opportunity, so yeah, I have done my share and reached out to the students...my experiment going forward (until the semester ends) is to see how many of these students will open up any verbal dialog with me. It will be interesting.
Anyway...shake it off, guys! Stop trying to be someone you are not, and just admit that you are social media whores and texting fanatics.
Instead, the thing that you could improve upon, in the meantime, is your awful spelling and grammar, your awful misuse of words, and your appalling sentence structure, and on, and on, and on...Let go of whatever disdain you might have for those who are comfortable and secure with themselves to freely admit that they (we) love social media and such, and instead focus on improving on your writing skills. Maybe your pathetic writing skills is really what keeps you off social media sites. Pobresitos!
Either the students are posting their views while they are in a drunken stupor, and they cannot be held liable for the untruths that they spew (or write down) - or they are plain lying. I vote for the latter reason; liars, they be!
Bottom line is that I do not see valid proof of what they are "pontificating" against because when I arrive to one of my classes (esp the one that contains the majority of the students who cut-down social media and such), well, their actions speak louder than words. The actions, BTW, is that every single solitary student is texting, gaming, surfing the WWW, or doing anything minus communicating via that one-on-one that they chided us about via a college-required blog post. I would gladly talk to anyone, but I am not going to always make the first move. I am a believer in equal opportunity, so yeah, I have done my share and reached out to the students...my experiment going forward (until the semester ends) is to see how many of these students will open up any verbal dialog with me. It will be interesting.
Anyway...shake it off, guys! Stop trying to be someone you are not, and just admit that you are social media whores and texting fanatics.
Instead, the thing that you could improve upon, in the meantime, is your awful spelling and grammar, your awful misuse of words, and your appalling sentence structure, and on, and on, and on...Let go of whatever disdain you might have for those who are comfortable and secure with themselves to freely admit that they (we) love social media and such, and instead focus on improving on your writing skills. Maybe your pathetic writing skills is really what keeps you off social media sites. Pobresitos!
This gif is for you, "pontificators and liars"
Sunday, November 9, 2014
Dora's Corner: Writing Well: RYW: Represent Yourself Well!
Warning: Long post...dead ahead...
I am astonished at how many college students lack a sense of
writing and/or good writing skills. I
often partake of peer reviews which includes editing papers for mechanics and grammar, and as doing as such, I am mostly met with moments of: “SMH!”
In today’s social media, hashtag e-world, we all know that SMH is the acronym for: “Shaking My Head”. Heck, some millennials not only lack the ability to write well, or at all, but some are impacted with a lackadaisical disability which severely impacts their sense to write words in their entirety. Possibly that is why they revert to using acronyms. Perhaps their time is much too important to spend on writing out every single solitary word. But, no, I disagree. I realize and accept why words are cut short; texting. Texting has to be done so quick that one has to short-cut many words to send a quick text or reply to a text.
I accept that justification (of short-cutting words) when it pertains to texting, and I have come to the realization and acceptance of why one must short-cut words via social media as well...short-cutting via the likes of Facebook might not always be done due to time-constraints, but to be cool. However, unless one is "tweeting" and only has 140 characters with which to get one’s point across, then a person's purpose for posting updates with acronyms is shamefully to appear cool. Those who subscribe to the idea of short-cutting words through acronyms and such might think that they appear cool (and uncaring because uncaring is cool these days), but in reality, they appear hindered from living in the real world, quizzas!
IMO (there I go with an acronym, but it is justified here)...millennials short-cutting words and phrases to appear cool is okay - if that is how they will fit into today's society (or lack of society), then more power to the millennials. But to add, I do not really wish to know what someone was trying to convey in a silly, short-cut phrase via social media. Instead, maybe stay clear of social media, or for certain, just keep your post to yourself, because I am not going to read it. Take that (acronym) “ROTFLMAO” and shove it!
If one is on another social media site other than Twitter, one should really not short-cut one’s words. When you think about it, short-cutting one’s own words is under-cutting one’s own ideas and views. It becomes self-stifling. If we do not want others to undermine our ability to write and express our opinions (i.e. rights given Americans via The First Amendment) then why would we allow ourselves to self-edit what we have to say! If one is going to write on a social media site or perchance on a blog, then would it not be more correct and proper to translate word-for-word what one has to say instead of using acronyms and such for which others might not know the meaning. Writing well not only includes: proper sentence structure, mechanics, and grammar, but it also includes the ability to express one’s intended purpose(s); to explain! What the story/post/update means is up to the writer to translate properly in order for the reader to understand. If a reader has to look up a word, and decides to go with the incorrect definition of a word (or acronym), then most likely he or she will lose the meaning of the entire piece. I.E. the piece gets lost in translation.
A good writer will properly and thoroughly interject his or her views onto a piece of writing and leave little chance of losing the audience or having his or her ideas get muddled. One must define one’s writing as one defines oneself. Perhaps the lack of translating what one has to write onto paper stems from one’s lack of knowing himself or herself...the lack of not having fully and properly defined oneself.
Anyway, if a person is hell-bent with his or her purpose to keep short-cutting words and using acronyms while texting or via social media sites, at least try to improve on one’s grammatical skills. Most importantly, if one is going to write a paper for school and such or to blog, be mindful of one’s audience and remember that one must put one’s best foot forward. Write, read, rewrite, reread, and be mindful which people are reading the piece; one's audience could include fellow students and writers, or professional readers and writers, professors, or someone waiting to discover the next J.K. Rowling. Write eloquently, be respectful, and be professional. Refer to and please remember the post I wrote on this very blog not long ago: “Contractions are for Pregnant Women…” and also refrain from using contractions and such.
Rereading is another rule in English 101, if one rereads a piece he or she just wrote, and if the piece does not sound or read well or fails to convey the message for which it was intended, then chances will favor the odds that others will not be able to understand or comprehend the piece either.
For certain, find, correct and omit the misspelled words. My pet peeve; simple spelling errors that go uncorrected. People who spell badly despite the fact that everyone has equal access to programs that will check one’s spelling (and grammar – a fragment is for software developers and for math - not for English), and do not correct the errors, well, they irk me.
When reading other people's updates, stories, or blog posts, the moment I get to a misspelled word or to a badly structured sentence, I lose interest and move on to something else. If I do not read your essays, updates, tweets, or posts, it is your fault – not mine!
In today’s social media, hashtag e-world, we all know that SMH is the acronym for: “Shaking My Head”. Heck, some millennials not only lack the ability to write well, or at all, but some are impacted with a lackadaisical disability which severely impacts their sense to write words in their entirety. Possibly that is why they revert to using acronyms. Perhaps their time is much too important to spend on writing out every single solitary word. But, no, I disagree. I realize and accept why words are cut short; texting. Texting has to be done so quick that one has to short-cut many words to send a quick text or reply to a text.
I accept that justification (of short-cutting words) when it pertains to texting, and I have come to the realization and acceptance of why one must short-cut words via social media as well...short-cutting via the likes of Facebook might not always be done due to time-constraints, but to be cool. However, unless one is "tweeting" and only has 140 characters with which to get one’s point across, then a person's purpose for posting updates with acronyms is shamefully to appear cool. Those who subscribe to the idea of short-cutting words through acronyms and such might think that they appear cool (and uncaring because uncaring is cool these days), but in reality, they appear hindered from living in the real world, quizzas!
IMO (there I go with an acronym, but it is justified here)...millennials short-cutting words and phrases to appear cool is okay - if that is how they will fit into today's society (or lack of society), then more power to the millennials. But to add, I do not really wish to know what someone was trying to convey in a silly, short-cut phrase via social media. Instead, maybe stay clear of social media, or for certain, just keep your post to yourself, because I am not going to read it. Take that (acronym) “ROTFLMAO” and shove it!
If one is on another social media site other than Twitter, one should really not short-cut one’s words. When you think about it, short-cutting one’s own words is under-cutting one’s own ideas and views. It becomes self-stifling. If we do not want others to undermine our ability to write and express our opinions (i.e. rights given Americans via The First Amendment) then why would we allow ourselves to self-edit what we have to say! If one is going to write on a social media site or perchance on a blog, then would it not be more correct and proper to translate word-for-word what one has to say instead of using acronyms and such for which others might not know the meaning. Writing well not only includes: proper sentence structure, mechanics, and grammar, but it also includes the ability to express one’s intended purpose(s); to explain! What the story/post/update means is up to the writer to translate properly in order for the reader to understand. If a reader has to look up a word, and decides to go with the incorrect definition of a word (or acronym), then most likely he or she will lose the meaning of the entire piece. I.E. the piece gets lost in translation.
A good writer will properly and thoroughly interject his or her views onto a piece of writing and leave little chance of losing the audience or having his or her ideas get muddled. One must define one’s writing as one defines oneself. Perhaps the lack of translating what one has to write onto paper stems from one’s lack of knowing himself or herself...the lack of not having fully and properly defined oneself.
Anyway, if a person is hell-bent with his or her purpose to keep short-cutting words and using acronyms while texting or via social media sites, at least try to improve on one’s grammatical skills. Most importantly, if one is going to write a paper for school and such or to blog, be mindful of one’s audience and remember that one must put one’s best foot forward. Write, read, rewrite, reread, and be mindful which people are reading the piece; one's audience could include fellow students and writers, or professional readers and writers, professors, or someone waiting to discover the next J.K. Rowling. Write eloquently, be respectful, and be professional. Refer to and please remember the post I wrote on this very blog not long ago: “Contractions are for Pregnant Women…” and also refrain from using contractions and such.
Rereading is another rule in English 101, if one rereads a piece he or she just wrote, and if the piece does not sound or read well or fails to convey the message for which it was intended, then chances will favor the odds that others will not be able to understand or comprehend the piece either.
For certain, find, correct and omit the misspelled words. My pet peeve; simple spelling errors that go uncorrected. People who spell badly despite the fact that everyone has equal access to programs that will check one’s spelling (and grammar – a fragment is for software developers and for math - not for English), and do not correct the errors, well, they irk me.
When reading other people's updates, stories, or blog posts, the moment I get to a misspelled word or to a badly structured sentence, I lose interest and move on to something else. If I do not read your essays, updates, tweets, or posts, it is your fault – not mine!
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Dora's Corner: Writer’s Craft: The Art of Writing.
Warning: Long post...dead ahead...
I love writing. I have been in love with the
concept since I was a sophomore in high school. The tenth grade was when
one of my English teachers took notice of my ability to write well; the teacher
especially took notice of my affinity for writing. She encouraged me to
write almost all the time, but foolish me, I did not have enough sense to allow
myself to believe her…much less to accept her verbal accolades of my writing
skills. I let her praise of my writing ability go wayward simply because
she was the mother of my best buddy. “She had to be lying to me,
right?”…that was how I would justify not taking my writing skills more serious.
Through-out high-school as I moved up a grade and into
my upperclassman years, I continued to write, but I kind of put the teacher’s
words aside; however, the English marm’s words still lived inside of me despite
the fact that I remained hesitant, foolish, and scared to heed her positive
feedback and perceptions. The tiny little creative creatures that reside
in my head would often, and silently, spew their echoes of what the English
teacher had told me on several occasions about my excellent writing skills, and
I would allow myself to gradually believe the wonderful teacher’s words of
praise and encouragement.
The latter type of writer used to be me a long time
ago until I decided that it was time to take more serious the very thing which
brought out my most passionate side; writing.&nbsFp; Though I struggled with the
mechanics of writing, and sometimes with basic grammatical skills, my love for
writing never diminished or faded regardless of my lack of proper mechanics and
grammar. I carried onward, and if anyone had issues with my writing,
well: “it was their fault - not mine!” – or so I thought. These days I
work hard on improving my mad writing skills because I do care what others
think. English 101 rule #1 is to be mindful of one’s reading
audience. That rule is one that I carry with me all the time now.
Not only is it wired into my brain, carved into my heart, but I keep a tangible
copy of it on my person at all times. I not only know the rule, but I
live the rule.
Words are
beautiful…and when done properly, writing opens up a world to everyone where
nothing is improbable and the lack of doing something or not being able to make
something happen is merely due to the lack of one’s imagination. Imagine
if you will, if someone or something had convinced good writers such as Asimov, Auden, Austen, Bradbury, The Brontës, Brown, Herbert, King, Plath,
Rice, Rowling, Tolkien, Verne, or Wells that their works of art where
nothing but a bunch of gibberish! Imagine where our world would NOT
be had anyone dared tell any of them such a horrid thing, and worse, imagine if
anyone of those writers had listened and not written his or her respective "magnum opus"! Living in a world sans any of their great works - or without the
works of many other writers - is not a world where I would like to
reside. “Love Thy Writer’s Craft!”Friday, November 7, 2014
Dora's Corner: Rock the Vote: Voting Goes Awry…More Like Vote Missed the Rock.
Well, the National Mid-Term election returns were a bit unsettling this past Tuesday (Nov 6, 2014);
however, here in the great state of Texas, things were not so disturbing only because politics and voting remained status quo. In other words, the “good ole boy network” won in a
(landslide victory) by securing a statewide triumph for all republican
candidates. Yes, the “good ole boy network" was at its best slinging mud and spewing untruths about Democratic candidates
in order to demagogue their way towards ensuring that every single
Republican/Tea Party candidate was victorious over any Democratic candidate. Sadly, any Democratic candidate who dared try
to run against his or her cronie-conservative counterpart was found on the losing
side of these mid-terms, and that includes the one and only Wendy Davis who ran
in the gubernatorial race. I canvassed
for her, did the grassroots collaborating for her, and did the door-to-door
politicking for Davis, but it was all done to no avail. Nonetheless, I would do the same thing even
if I had a crystal ball advance warning that Davis was going to lose. Regardless of how many percentage points that
Davis lost by (and I had the pre-warning via a crystal ball), I would have
still supported Davis and canvassed for her.
I subscribe to the “paradox of participation” because I firmly believe
that all qualified persons (VAP/VEP) should have a moral obligation embedded
within themselves to vote. Voting should
not only be viewed as one’s civil obligation, but it should be something one
wants to do regardless of what the turn-out might be. For example, here in Texas, Democratic or Third-Party
candidates seldom have a chance to win versus the Conservative-crew, but it
does not mean that the Democratic Party (or Third-Party i.e. “La RAZA”) does
not pursue to elect its own candidate to represent their respective Party,
their ideals, and their platform. To
conclude, despite any political party not having a chance to have their
candidate elected does not mean that a member of that political party should
not vote. One always needs to vote;
strong Democrats were always going to vote for Wendy Davis regardless of the
polls or rumor mill that had her losing to Abbott by a substantial margin. Rock the vote means exactly what it states,
one must shake up the very structure of voting in order to impact the turn-out
and the way politicians make choices for us their constituents. Bottom line, if one does not vote…one does
not get the right to bitch.
Friday, October 31, 2014
In Memoriam: Rest In Peace: Dian Reed (Pecos, Texa)
It would be remiss of me not to post about the death of my dear friend, Dian. No matter how short our time as friends, what she meant to me makes up for it in vast numbers. I plan to post a special dedication to Dian in the days to come, but for now, I just want everyone to know that this special lady passed away on Friday, October 31, 2014. If you knew Dian, the fact that she went home to meet her Maker on Halloween has a rather funny meaning. I prefer - quizzas - to keep the details behind that humorous story to myself.
Rest in peace dear, sweet, wonderful, and oh so very important friend of mine.
Dian McClurkin Reed
- February 16, 1928 - October 31, 2014
- Pecos, Texas
Friday, September 26, 2014
Self-Indulgence: Hooray, But Not for Hollywood!
...Yep, it is getting a little more challenging at school; however, I must add that the rewards outweigh these challenges! I have enjoyed each of my five classes thus far, but the most joy that I get is when I am asked to help tutor someone else. I am no expert in any of my courses, but I am doing a little better than some of the other students.
I thought that perhaps a person's age (and maturity) played a role in his or her progress, but that is not the case! For example, in a couple of my classes, there are about five of us who are in the thirty plus age category, but the other four persons are not learning things as quickly. Plus, their memory retention is severely lacking, which in turn, leads to them forgetting things that were reviewed not long ago. I have no idea what that is about, but I do try to remain empathetic towards their dilemma. In fact, I gladly abide and tutor them-with a happy face, of course.
So, there went my idea that older students learn faster, know more, and are more advanced. LOL! Still there are a handful of students (millennials) who approach me for help or some that the professors redirected my way. It's all good!
HOORAY for all who wish to learn and keep striving to do so
...for none of us is ever too young or old to learn!
I thought that perhaps a person's age (and maturity) played a role in his or her progress, but that is not the case! For example, in a couple of my classes, there are about five of us who are in the thirty plus age category, but the other four persons are not learning things as quickly. Plus, their memory retention is severely lacking, which in turn, leads to them forgetting things that were reviewed not long ago. I have no idea what that is about, but I do try to remain empathetic towards their dilemma. In fact, I gladly abide and tutor them-with a happy face, of course.
So, there went my idea that older students learn faster, know more, and are more advanced. LOL! Still there are a handful of students (millennials) who approach me for help or some that the professors redirected my way. It's all good!
HOORAY for all who wish to learn and keep striving to do so
...for none of us is ever too young or old to learn!
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