When I went to type up my entry last weekend, I had no clue what to write about. It seemed nothing had happened worth commenting, so why waste the effort? Just didn't feel like I had any sort of profound wisdom to impart.
Well... I'm no more wise than before. But the whole point of this experiment is to get my thoughts, however mundane, onto paper (so to speak). So... with that said... shall we?
These past two weeks were actually quite eventful in my little corner of the world. How can anyone go through finals and not find something worth commenting over? Not I, that's for sure! I do believe that I'll be passing all of my classes this term, with quite respectable grades might I add, but I do have to pose one question to the world in general. What exactly, in the name of all that is true and right in this world, does Algebra have to do with the world of Film Production? I'm asking... seriously... I'd like to know. 'Cause I gotta tell you, I still have at least one more semester of the stuff to take before I even get to the level of math that is pertinent to my degree... and I don't remember it being this hard back in high school! Sure... that was 17 years ago, but last I looked they hadn't come out with an even newer new math. How is it possible to advance through the numerical ranks to the level of Trigonometry and not retain some small inkling of what was learned. Something should have permeated, right? Okay. Okay. I still know how to add and subtract. Multiplication... ya ya (not as fast, but it's still there). Division... depends (ha ha). Okay. The basics I got. Still remember how to do all that. But then, fractions and exponents and decimals and scientific notation and variables.... aaaagggghh! Where did they all come from? And why can't I remember any of this from before?! The phrase "like riding a bike" doesn't even come close here. More apropos, I think, is "use it or lose it". Cliche' but oh so true! Some of it was familiar, but not in the "oh yeah... yeah, now I remember!" kind of way. More like "huh... this looks vaguely familiar..." I'm having visions of running through chapter reviews all summer so I don't forget everything before the next class in the fall. Let this be a lesson, kids! Don't neglect your math skills! Okay... PSA over for now.
I'm pretty sure I have a solid B in my English class. You couldn't tell from this blog site, but I can sling together one mean essay when I have to. It's hard to change my natural narrative style and remember things like topic sentences and thesis statements, but I've managed to impress the teacher on several occasions this term, so I can't be too upset. The final was particularly scary. It was, of course, an essay. Written on the spot. No research time. No spell check. No chance to outline or plan... NIGHTMARE time! Even still, I think I muddled through okay. The proof will be in the GPA, I suppose.
I must admit to a certain giddiness with the results of my Theatre class. It was pretty much a history class. Lecture one night a week on the history of the Theatre. The only homework for the term was studying lecture notes, and to watch and critique two plays. I admit to grinning like a fool when my last critique had a big "100" on it, and included a comment of "Excellent!" from the instructor. The final itself was just testing on the last few lectures, so it wasn't as horrific as it could have been. Had it been a cumulative test, I'm not so sure I would have fared as well. As it was I went blank on at least three of the answers. When I commented on that to the instructor, however, he just gave me a little sideways smile and said "Somehow I think you'll do okay in this class regardless." I tell you, I was floating as I walked out to the parking lot that night. I've half decided to minor in theatre... if not double major. We'll have to see what happens when I meet with an advisor. I want to do a double major - but I also want to be able to finish sometime! Still too early to make the call, though. For now, my only real question is "what class to take this summer?"
Farewell
Well... I'm no more wise than before. But the whole point of this experiment is to get my thoughts, however mundane, onto paper (so to speak). So... with that said... shall we?
These past two weeks were actually quite eventful in my little corner of the world. How can anyone go through finals and not find something worth commenting over? Not I, that's for sure! I do believe that I'll be passing all of my classes this term, with quite respectable grades might I add, but I do have to pose one question to the world in general. What exactly, in the name of all that is true and right in this world, does Algebra have to do with the world of Film Production? I'm asking... seriously... I'd like to know. 'Cause I gotta tell you, I still have at least one more semester of the stuff to take before I even get to the level of math that is pertinent to my degree... and I don't remember it being this hard back in high school! Sure... that was 17 years ago, but last I looked they hadn't come out with an even newer new math. How is it possible to advance through the numerical ranks to the level of Trigonometry and not retain some small inkling of what was learned. Something should have permeated, right? Okay. Okay. I still know how to add and subtract. Multiplication... ya ya (not as fast, but it's still there). Division... depends (ha ha). Okay. The basics I got. Still remember how to do all that. But then, fractions and exponents and decimals and scientific notation and variables.... aaaagggghh! Where did they all come from? And why can't I remember any of this from before?! The phrase "like riding a bike" doesn't even come close here. More apropos, I think, is "use it or lose it". Cliche' but oh so true! Some of it was familiar, but not in the "oh yeah... yeah, now I remember!" kind of way. More like "huh... this looks vaguely familiar..." I'm having visions of running through chapter reviews all summer so I don't forget everything before the next class in the fall. Let this be a lesson, kids! Don't neglect your math skills! Okay... PSA over for now.
I'm pretty sure I have a solid B in my English class. You couldn't tell from this blog site, but I can sling together one mean essay when I have to. It's hard to change my natural narrative style and remember things like topic sentences and thesis statements, but I've managed to impress the teacher on several occasions this term, so I can't be too upset. The final was particularly scary. It was, of course, an essay. Written on the spot. No research time. No spell check. No chance to outline or plan... NIGHTMARE time! Even still, I think I muddled through okay. The proof will be in the GPA, I suppose.
I must admit to a certain giddiness with the results of my Theatre class. It was pretty much a history class. Lecture one night a week on the history of the Theatre. The only homework for the term was studying lecture notes, and to watch and critique two plays. I admit to grinning like a fool when my last critique had a big "100" on it, and included a comment of "Excellent!" from the instructor. The final itself was just testing on the last few lectures, so it wasn't as horrific as it could have been. Had it been a cumulative test, I'm not so sure I would have fared as well. As it was I went blank on at least three of the answers. When I commented on that to the instructor, however, he just gave me a little sideways smile and said "Somehow I think you'll do okay in this class regardless." I tell you, I was floating as I walked out to the parking lot that night. I've half decided to minor in theatre... if not double major. We'll have to see what happens when I meet with an advisor. I want to do a double major - but I also want to be able to finish sometime! Still too early to make the call, though. For now, my only real question is "what class to take this summer?"
Farewell
As you may have guessed by the title, this blog is about more than just finals. For, no
t only did I say farewell to the school term this week, but I also said farewell to my Grandfather.
Joseph O'Connor. Sparky. Pom Pom. Dody. He was known to many and by many names. To me he will always be "Grandpa O'Connor". As kids that's how we distinguished between Dad's dad and Mom's. Grandpa O'Connor and Grandpa Weldy. Grandma's were easy... I had a Grandma and I had a Granny.My memories of my Grandpa are, sadly, a bit hazy with time. I remember him very fondly, but I, for reasons I'm sure I'll delve into later, didn't have as close a relationship with Grandpa as many of the other cousins. I simply wasn't around so much. My early years I can remember
playing at Grandma and Grandpa's house - running around with cousins, sports with aunts and uncles, sitting on Grandpa's lap watching the game - so many images and all jumbled together. I didn't know him as well in the later years, but I did love him. He was such an interesting man, and he led an amazing life! His most noteworthy accomplishment is, without a doubt, the wonderful family he left on this earth. Grandpa was the father of 11 children. That in itself is an accomplishment! But, when you begin to look at the people those children have become, the families they've raised, the lives they've lived... you realize just how amazing the accomplishment truly was! You've heard stories of big families -both heartwarming and terrifying. This family is most definitely the former. This
family was clearly blessed with a loving stable environment, and it has flourished. The generations have continued along the same lines, and while its true that every family has its problems, the love and caring is evident in every nuance of the people that make up this extraordinary group. Joseph and Ruth gave that to these children, who, in turn, gave it to their children and so on down the line. I count myself lucky to be amongst these wonderful people.
Most people think of funerals as sad affairs. While it is true, there was definite sadness at Grandpa's passing, the simple joy for him and the journey he is now on was truly inspiring! We are all sad that he is no longer a part of our daily lives, but the conviction of his faith gives us all a
certain peace about his passing. His journey is far from over, and this was as much a sendoff for this new venture as it was a celebration of his life. The love and faith he has inspired in people was more than evident, and I know that his spirit must live on. I only hope to find that level of faith and contentment some day!
Farewell, Grandpa. Safe journey! Say hi to Grandma for me, and keep my brother in-line please.
t only did I say farewell to the school term this week, but I also said farewell to my Grandfather.Joseph O'Connor. Sparky. Pom Pom. Dody. He was known to many and by many names. To me he will always be "Grandpa O'Connor". As kids that's how we distinguished between Dad's dad and Mom's. Grandpa O'Connor and Grandpa Weldy. Grandma's were easy... I had a Grandma and I had a Granny.My memories of my Grandpa are, sadly, a bit hazy with time. I remember him very fondly, but I, for reasons I'm sure I'll delve into later, didn't have as close a relationship with Grandpa as many of the other cousins. I simply wasn't around so much. My early years I can remember
playing at Grandma and Grandpa's house - running around with cousins, sports with aunts and uncles, sitting on Grandpa's lap watching the game - so many images and all jumbled together. I didn't know him as well in the later years, but I did love him. He was such an interesting man, and he led an amazing life! His most noteworthy accomplishment is, without a doubt, the wonderful family he left on this earth. Grandpa was the father of 11 children. That in itself is an accomplishment! But, when you begin to look at the people those children have become, the families they've raised, the lives they've lived... you realize just how amazing the accomplishment truly was! You've heard stories of big families -both heartwarming and terrifying. This family is most definitely the former. This
family was clearly blessed with a loving stable environment, and it has flourished. The generations have continued along the same lines, and while its true that every family has its problems, the love and caring is evident in every nuance of the people that make up this extraordinary group. Joseph and Ruth gave that to these children, who, in turn, gave it to their children and so on down the line. I count myself lucky to be amongst these wonderful people.Most people think of funerals as sad affairs. While it is true, there was definite sadness at Grandpa's passing, the simple joy for him and the journey he is now on was truly inspiring! We are all sad that he is no longer a part of our daily lives, but the conviction of his faith gives us all a
certain peace about his passing. His journey is far from over, and this was as much a sendoff for this new venture as it was a celebration of his life. The love and faith he has inspired in people was more than evident, and I know that his spirit must live on. I only hope to find that level of faith and contentment some day!Farewell, Grandpa. Safe journey! Say hi to Grandma for me, and keep my brother in-line please.
