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.

It took several more years for me to believe that I did possess a wonderful craft for writing.  These days, as my love for reading and writing has greatly increased, I pay close and finite attention to what other regular people, similar to myself (non-professional, non-published) are writing.  I am amazed at how other people write.  While some are naturally able to jot down exactly what they are trying to express and convey with a keen sense and style of elocution, other people struggle so much.  Those who struggle often do not have a passion for writing, but then there are those who love writing, yet, they are unable to interpret their ideas into words then onto paper.

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!”

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.

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

(Click here for Mrs. Reed's online obituary)
(Click here for online Tribute)

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!

Self-Indulgence: The Commandments Do Not Have Amendments...Yet!

This morning our government class has its first major test of the semester.  It was actually a unit test which covered several chapters.  I studied my brains out for this test, and I believe I did okay.  It was four pages in length, and it took me about 15 minutes or so to complete it.  The test covered a lot of topics such as how the Texas Government functions and such, but the part of the unit which captured my attention the most was the amendments section. 
Our Texas Constitution has a lot of amendments in it.  It contains more amendments that the United States Constitution does.  It really fascinates me how an amendment can be proposed so quickly; however, thanks to the "checks and balances," an amendment does not get ratified so quickly.  In fact, only Texas voters can actually approve an amendment once it makes it way through the legislature. 
Anyway...I met Sara for lunch this afternoon, and we exchanged details about the highlights of our respective mornings.  Her day had so far been fairly monotonous despite where she works (she works for the Texas DPS as a Field Compliance Auditor and Classroom Instructor).  My day had been a little more eventful especially due to the government test.  I worried way too much about the test, but this a.m. as I began filling out the answers, I could not believe how easy it was.  Actually, it was not really easy.  I was able to complete it rather quickly because I prepared for it.  I took advantage of every available moment I had to prep for it.  Sara also quizzed me on it several times, and at times, she reworded things.  I am grateful to her for rewording certain phrases and facts because the questions on the test were not worded the same as in our textbooks nor the same during our lectures. 
Anyway, back from my tangent...Sara and I spoke about our state government, state officials, amendments, Texas history, and such.  BTW, Sara is a Historian; she has a Masters in Texas History so she lights up anytime she has the chance to talk about history.  At one point during our discussion (in between eating the awesome Mexican food), we both agreed that people love to make changes to rules and laws in an attempt to try to benefit their own situation and/or cause.  I added that in Texas, this is especially noticeable due to the 474 amendments to the constitution.  Sara chuckled knowing all too well how bureaucracy within the state government works (does not work sometimes).  I also stated that it would not surprise me at all, if one day, someone tried to amend the Ten Commandments.  Yes, we both got a big laugh out of that -- mainly because it is closer to the truth than most would want to admit.

Self-Indulgence: Contractions Are for Pregnant Women, and Shouldn't Be Used When Writing.

The title explains my post for the day, and the point I was trying to make. The way we all speak as we engage in verbal conversation is hilarious, but atrocious. If most people actually wrote the way they speak, we would all be in serious trouble.  Lucy would: "have some 'splaining to do!"  LOL!

Self-Indulgence: Extra, Extra...Read All About It!

Any chance I get to earn extra credit in any of my courses I have taken, but government has been the course in which I have earned more of those credits because I enjoy partaking in anything related to politics.  I have already attended a couple of events on our beautiful campus with my professor and a handful of other students.  One of the events was a town hall meeting, and our respective State Senator (district 31) was the guest speaker. 
Earlier this evening, Sara and I attended another awesome event with Vicente Fox and his wife Marta.  Mr. Fox is a former President of Mexico. The lecture (part of a lecture series at Midland College) and Q&A lasted about an hour and a half, but it was well worth it.  Mr. Fox had so much to talk about and so much to teach us, his neighbors to the north, and I hope many attendees listened as carefully as Sara and I did.

Self-Indulgence: The A, B and Cs of College: Alright, Better, and Crazy (in a good way)!

College has been going well.  It has only been about four weeks since I began my trek back to the land of higher education, and I have no complaints.  My classmates have been awesome, and I have managed to make some friends.  I have even become part of some study groups, but I have yet to try to get involved with any social clubs.  Maybe next semester I will delve into the world of social clubbing, but for now, I have my hands full with all my courses.  I am only taking 14 hours this semester, plus, I have officially declared my major to be in ATS/IT with the intent to receive a BAT.  The other non-computer classes are only going to enhance the knowledge I already have, respectively, and it has definitely been worth while for me to have returned to college. 
I want to add that all my professors have also been outstanding, friendly, inclusive, and a joy to be around.  They each have such different teaching techniques, which I love and appreciate.  Their different personalities and teaching styles have helped me learn to adapt at becoming more flexible with my own style of learning.  I have taken time to become acquainted with all my instructors.  I may not have done as such in my youth, but at present time and present age, I want to get familiar with them.  I want to give them the opportunity to get to know me, too.  They are so lucky.  LOL.  It is all good. 
My computer professor is a riot, but she is extremely knowledgeable in computer programming so I try to pick her brain with questions as much as possible.  My English professor is also fun to be around.  She has helped me improve my writing skills so much in just the short four weeks of being in her class.  My grammar has also improved along with my MLA.  Soon I will learn APA and maybe Turabian for future history classes.  My algebra instructor has helped me improve my mathematical skills more than I ever thought possible.  She is also an excellent teacher, and has a lot of patience and empathy for all her students.  Last, but not least, is my government professor.  He has a PhD in history, and he is extremely knowledgeable in all things government and /or politics. I really enjoy my discussions with him before or after class.  I especially like the discussions we have around other students because I like to see how they all interact.  It serves as a reminder that none of us knows everything, and that we can always learn something different if we allow ourselves to do so.

Dora's Corner: Domestic Violence!

I have been gone for a while, but I have had good reasons.  A return to college to finally pursue that one degree in Computer Engineering that has long eluded me.  But, that is not the reason for my rant-of-the-day; today's rant is on a topic which I am much too familiar with, and that is no lie.
It is in relation to one Ray Rice -- you know who he is by now -- he is the ex-player for the NFL's Baltimore Ravens.  He is especially now known as a bully, a coward and a woman beater.  No, I won't go into details about the case stemming from the elevator-incident because you should already be familiar with the story.  If you are not, I will give you a one-time pardon, and at least share a link with you where you may read about it: Ray Rice via TMZ.com: Ray Rice Elevator Knockout: Fiancee Takes Crushing Punch (Video)
My take on the entire disgusting event is simply this, why do people need to have a public figure, like Rice, to remind them of domestic violence.  This violence does not just happen to the "rich and famous," it happens to everyone.  I guess it is time to "wake the sleeping giant" once again.
Furthermore, the NFL and its Commissioner, Roger Goodell, got it so wrong from the beginning.  They finally set things right as of yesterday by enacting new policies regarding domestic violence for all NFL players going forward.  It bans a player for a certain amount of games for a first offense, and a lifetime ban for a second offense.  Yes, that is a good start, and, yes, better late than never, but...
Ray Rice is one of thousands (if not millions) of people who are too quick to hit another person.  To me, that is a raw definition of a coward.  Going forward, women (or anyone) who are in abusive relationships need to seek help or perhaps they need help.  Most often anyone who is being beaten lacks self-esteem.  He or she often wonders why this is happening to him or her, but instead of getting out of the relationship, they stay in believing that the person who is abusing him or her will change.  Many times the victim ponders with the question, "what am I doing wrong!"  That is sad, but I can relate to it.  Anyway...let's stop being a society that has to see a famous person do something so abhorrent (like what Rice did) before we remember how many awful things are happening outside our front doors.