doctoral candidate in rhetoric and scientific and technical communication
Archive for April, 2006
why, what, who?
05 years ago
by dawn
in in the beginning
This site came into being when Sage said he’d like to know more about my childhood, growing up poor and overcoming that to make, what I would call, a successful life.
Some of it is difficult to write about, some funny, and some thoughtful or silly. It all depends on how I feel about the situation or what I’m thinking about while I write it.
I will try to be as honest as possible but I will admit that this is my truth. It cannot, nor will not, be the same as what my siblings experienced or what my parents experienced. We all saw it through different eyes and through different feelings. As the oldest child of four, my outlook was vastly different than those of my younger siblings. I will do my best to portray this as honestly as possible but it is possible that what I saw and what they saw were vastly different.
Why “White Trash Girl”? My younger brother jokes that we were white trash growing up and, deep inside, maybe we still are. I used the title for humor, for some look into what types of words we use to describe others, and to delve into those feelings of being “white trash” that may have residual effects.
I hope you enjoy the journey and I look forward to your insights.
what we need
05 years ago
american life in poetry: column 055
by ted kooser, u.s. poet laureate
A circus is an assemblage of illusions, and here Jo McDougall, a Kansas poet, shows us a couple of performers, drab and weary in their ordinary lives, away from the lights at the center of the ring.
What We Need
It is just as well we do not see,
in the shadows behind the hasty tent
of the Allen Brothers Greatest Show,
Lola the Lion Tamer and the Great Valdini
in Nikes and jeans
sharing a tired cigarette
before she girds her wrists with glistening amulets
and snaps the tigers into rage,
before he adjusts the glimmering cummerbund
and makes from air
the white and trembling doves, the pair.
From “Dirt,” Autumn House Press, Pittsburgh, 2001. Copyright (c) 2001 by Jo McDougall, whose most recent book is “Satisfied With Havoc,” Autumn House Press, 2004. Reprinted by permission of the author and Autumn House Press. This weekly column is supported by The Poetry Foundation, The Library of Congress, and the Department of English at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. This column does not accept unsolicited poetry.
Friday April 14, 2006
0
originally published at my main site: life inchoate
I got a few e-mails and comments on social software and commenting on blogs.
By and large, there was the comment of “I’m shy” or “I’m worried about what others will think about what I’m writing.”
This is the thing, though…
There is a certain level of anonymity in blogging. Unless you tell me who you are, I won’t know. And, unless you are flaming someone in your comments, no matter how stupid you may think those comments are, they may touch someone – they may make someone else more bold and willing to reach out, as well.
I know what this feels like. I’m more shy than people realize. I used to question the value or validity of my words. I used to wonder if I said things in a stupid manner or if I was harming someone with my words or making them uncomfortable. I was stressed about commenting.
Then I realized that it was my issue. The person on the other end usually valued my comment and if it wasn’t valued, then it just didn’t matter in the long run.
I decided to start commenting more. I didn’t want to conform to someone else’s theories about what should or should not be said in a comment. I would comment on how an entry made me feel, what I was thinking, or whatever.
Sometimes they are in left field. I don’t care. That’s what I was thinking while I read the blog. If the owner of the blog doesn’t understand, I leave plenty of ways for them to contact me (e-mail/website, etc.).
But I reach out because I do want to be a part of that social network. It is a step for me. I’m shy in real life and don’t venture out to be in group settings much. This is my way of being a part of the group. Of getting my two-cents out there, sharing, learning from others, being engaged, and growing.
a continuation
05 years ago
I got a few e-mails and comments on social software and commenting on blogs.
By and large, there was the comment of “I’m shy” or “I’m worried about what others will think about what I’m writing.”
This is the thing, though…
There is a certain level of anonymity in blogging. Unless you tell me who you are, I won’t know. And, unless you are flaming someone in your comments, no matter how stupid you may think those comments are, they may touch someone – they may make someone else more bold and willing to reach out, as well.
I know what this feels like. I’m more shy than people realize. I used to question the value or validity of my words. I used to wonder if I said things in a stupid manner or if I was harming someone with my words or making them uncomfortable. I was stressed about commenting.
Then I realized that it was my issue. The person on the other end usually valued my comment and if it wasn’t valued, then it just didn’t matter in the long run.
I decided to start commenting more. I didn’t want to conform to someone else’s theories about what should or should not be said in a comment. I would comment on how an entry made me feel, what I was thinking, or whatever.
Sometimes they are in left field. I don’t care. That’s what I was thinking while I read the blog. If the owner of the blog doesn’t understand, I leave plenty of ways for them to contact me (e-mail/website, etc.).
But I reach out because I do want to be a part of that social network. It is a step for me. I’m shy in real life and don’t venture out to be in group settings much. This is my way of being a part of the group. Of getting my two-cents out there, sharing, learning from others, being engaged, and growing.
Thursday April 13, 2006
0
Originally posted at my main site: life inchoate.
When I started my graduate degree, I knew I wanted work with blogs in some way. I think they are a great tool. I think that they are a wonderful way to share a bit of our selves with the outside world.
They are, too, a great way to reach out and engage others, to get feedback, to encourage healthy discourse, and to be able to connect with others.
As my studies have progressed and I’ve gotten more involved in my job, I’ve realized that what really interests me is social software. This is the software that connects us with others: IM, blogs, bulletin boards, wikis, podcasts, etc.
The key to all of this, though, is that we connect. We share. We talk. We comment, we critique, we get involved. It requires effort on both sides of the event for it to work properly. It is, afterall, social software.
I think this really hit me this morning as I was going through some blogs for some information. There are some great blogs out there that are getting little or no reader response. Why is that?
We write, post images, share information and want others to respond to us. But do we respond to them? Do we go out and look for new blogs that engage us? And if we do find them, do we participate? Are we active in creating that social network?
I know, I know. We’re all too busy, too stressed, too apathetic.
I think it’s important, though, that if we want to be a part of a community that we not only write in our own blogs but we comment in others. That is what keeps the community going.
social software
05 years ago
When I started my graduate degree, I knew I wanted work with blogs in some way. I think they are a great tool. I think that they are a wonderful way to share a bit of our selves with the outside world.
They are, too, a great way to reach out and engage others, to get feedback, to encourage healthy discourse, and to be able to connect with others.
As my studies have progressed and I’ve gotten more involved in my job, I’ve realized that what really interests me is social software. This is the software that connects us with others: IM, blogs, bulletin boards, wikis, podcasts, etc.
The key to all of this, though, is that we connect. We share. We talk. We comment, we critique, we get involved. It requires effort on both sides of the event for it to work properly. It is, afterall, social software.
I think this really hit me this morning as I was going through some blogs for some information. There are some great blogs out there that are getting little or no reader response. Why is that?
We write, post images, share information and want others to respond to us. But do we respond to them? Do we go out and look for new blogs that engage us? And if we do find them, do we participate? Are we active in creating that social network?
I know, I know. We’re all too busy, too stressed, too apathetic.
I think it’s important, though, that if we want to be a part of a community that we not only write in our own blogs but we comment in others. That is what keeps the community going.
Thursday April 13, 2006
0
Cross-posted at my main site: life inchoate.
I am doing a project for one of my classes. This project requires that I talk to people.
I know!
Gasp!
Me, talk to people.
Not only that. It requires that I take their photograph.
I am having trouble doing both of these things. Going up to people (even if I know them – even some family members) and asking them a simple question (What does peace mean to you?) and then taking their photograph.
It makes my stomach turn. It makes my hands shake.
No one else is doing a project like this. Oh, no. They are building web pages that talk about their visions of peace.
Building a web site, for most of them, is a difficult task. For me, that’s easy. I can whip out a simple page in a matter of moments and the colors will be purposeful, the design will be intentional. This is stuff I can do with my eyes closed.
I chose my project because it would force me to speak with people. But now…I’m having a hard time speaking to people. I don’t even know how to start.
Ahem.
Miss? Would you mind answering one question for me and allow me to take your picture?
Hah.
It’s not like I can walk up to people on the street and ask this.
I don’t have the cajones, unlike many of the street photographers that I admire so much.
I just don’t have that kind of a personality.
What to do? What to do?
It’s going to be a really cool project (that y’all will be able to see because it is a QuickTime movie) once it’s done.
I just have to get it done.
Ack!
i…can’t…breath…
0
I am doing a project for one of my classes. This project requires that I talk to people.
I know!
Gasp!
Me, talk to people.
Not only that. It requires that I take their photograph.
I am having trouble doing both of these things. Going up to people (even if I know them – even some family members) and asking them a simple question (What does peace mean to you?) and then taking their photograph.
It makes my stomach turn. It makes my hands shake.
No one else is doing a project like this. Oh, no. They are building web pages that talk about their visions of peace.
Building a web site, for most of them, is a difficult task. For me, that’s easy. I can whip out a simple page in a matter of moments and the colors will be purposeful, the design will be intentional. This is stuff I can do with my eyes closed.
I chose my project because it would force me to speak with people. But now…I’m having a hard time speaking to people. I don’t even know how to start.
Ahem.
Miss? Would you mind answering one question for me and allow me to take your picture?
Hah.
It’s not like I can walk up to people on the street and ask this.
I don’t have the cajones, unlike many of the street photographers that I admire so much.
I just don’t have that kind of a personality.
What to do? What to do?
It’s going to be a really cool project (that y’all will be able to see because it is a QuickTime movie) once it’s done.
I just have to get it done.
Ack!
Tuesday April 11, 2006
0
Cross-posted at my main site: life inchoate.
Erin, who is a co-worker and someone I like very much, used the term “literati” the other day when I wrote about the movies and writing.
She said that she wasn’t sure if she’d be a part of the round table literati crowd or if she’d be one of the people they made fun of.
I know that I’d probably be one of the people they made fun of. I’m never one of the “in-crowd” but always looking in, wondering how I’m always looking in but never a part.
Erin and I were talking yesterday and I realized that I am a part of some “in-crowds.” They just never seem to be the ones I strive to be a part of. The grass is always greener, you know.
I work with some really intelligent, witty, and incredible people. We throw barbs and witticisms just as fast and furious as the Vicious Circle ever could have. We enjoy one another and play off of that enjoyment. We tease. We cajole.
If an outsider were to hear some of the things we say, I’m sure they would wonder what kind of personal hell they had just walked into.
It’s funny…these same things coming from someone else would hurt. You know the kinds of words I’m talking about. They poke. They prod. But when said in the right context and the right situation, they are funny and don’t hurt at all.
This “in-group” speak is unique to each group. The only people who probably aren’t offended by it are the ones who are involved – and that’s only because they understand that nothing offensive was meant by the exchange.
Ours just happens to be geeky and revolves around technology.
I may not have belonged to Round Table. But they would never really belong to the Oblong Geek Table either.
literati
0
Erin, who is a co-worker and someone I like very much, used the term “literati” the other day when I wrote about the movies and writing.
She said that she wasn’t sure if she’d be a part of the round table literati crowd or if she’d be one of the people they made fun of.
I know that I’d probably be one of the people they made fun of. I’m never one of the “in-crowd” but always looking in, wondering how I’m always looking in but never a part.
Erin and I were talking yesterday and I realized that I am a part of some “in-crowds.” They just never seem to be the ones I strive to be a part of. The grass is always greener, you know.
I work with some really intelligent, witty, and incredible people. We throw barbs and witticisms just as fast and furious as the Vicious Circle ever could have. We enjoy one another and play off of that enjoyment. We tease. We cajole.
If an outsider were to hear some of the things we say, I’m sure they would wonder what kind of personal hell they had just walked into.
It’s funny…these same things coming from someone else would hurt. You know the kinds of words I’m talking about. They poke. They prod. But when said in the right context and the right situation, they are funny and don’t hurt at all.
This “in-group” speak is unique to each group. The only people who probably aren’t offended by it are the ones who are involved – and that’s only because they understand that nothing offensive was meant by the exchange.
Ours just happens to be geeky and revolves around technology.
I may not have belonged to Round Table. But they would never really belong to the Oblong Geek Table either.