Weekly Reflection #3

I bit the bullet and started into those readings, and now we have a nice little page AboutDyslexia.I kinda like how this page turned out. It is quick and hopefully an easy read that may give hope for some flustered parents of frustrated kids with dyslexia. It also dabbles with a little bit of academic research that is not usually connected with dyslexia, but I think Mister E's connection with it makes for a nice little case study.

For only the second time in the wiki, we have pages that link outside the wiki, not only the academic studies but also basic links on some of the learning disorders. Which reminds me, I should also link to a good page on ODD.

The wiki is taking on a nice shape. It is easy to add monster pages and we are beginning to get some good background information/resources available on it. I try to keep everything simple, neat, easy to read and am trying for consistent layouts. I expect layouts of more complicated pages will naturally fall into a standardized pattern and if not, then a little work will be applied to make it so.

For marketing this week, we did make our Facebook post and will have to make another one soon, perhaps tonight or tomorrow, (but I am writing this post today because my weekend is booked) as Mr. E made a really cool monster this week, but I haven’t had time to breathe. He would happily spend most days working with me on the wiki, which is something I just can’t do at this point in the semester (but I did a few weeks ago, which how this wiki got off the ground) But this may be an interesting opportunity to teach him to wiki and see what we come up with. He has started to text his grandparents so perhaps he can write a wiki page. Wouldn’t that build up my argument about how wikis and dyslexics can interact?

But I am once again afraid that everyone is so busy with their lives that I may have to bribe people to add something to the wiki.

Next week I hope to; clean up some details on the wiki, do more readings, write a page on creativity and dyslexia and move into the concepts of how wikis and dyslexics can be mutually beneficial.

As I review this blog post, that I am currently writing, I realize how stream-of-consciousness it is. As a general rule, I try to avoid stream-of-consciousness writing in all forms of academic prose. This week however, I am likely to let it stand because I have moved into the modern and postmodern eras in my literature class and have noticed the predilection of such writers to not only follow streams-of-consciousness, but also to use it as a way to play with time, to jump forward and move backwards with a whiff or a sound that stirs the memories. No wonder this is the era Dr. Who came to being, as we have learned to time travel in our thoughts and our stories.

descriptive word play

It was green, the kind of green that scientifically was chosen to calm people and so for decades graced ERs, hospitals and waiting rooms, but looking at it now made you feel queasy and brought to mind the smells of antiseptic and cries of pain.

Weekly Reflection on Final Project #2

Wiki grew by 2 whole pages this week. One of the pages was a step up in design than the others. It not only is a monster but shows a monster society in evolution, so it has section headings and a picture for each section.Some may argue that is too much info for one simple wiki page, and I am considering it, but as of yet, we di not have enough info to break it into a page for each section.  I am not thrilled with the layout for the pictures, perhaps that needs more work. See for yourself: http://mr-es-monsterous-monsters.wikia.com/wiki/GoblinMouth

I also worked on the readings. Marketing got its own post (see below) and by the time I was done with it, I felt thoroughly chastised as to how well I was not doing with it, especially in the continuity needed for a good marketing campaign. Luckily, I am not trying to make a living off of it.

I've dabbled in the readings for dyslexia, but only got through the first 2. I'm am just going to have to jump in and make an "about dyslexia" page on that wiki and add to it as I can.

The Facebook post went well this week. It was well received and shared. We reached a whole 17 people from the post on Mr. E's page, and another (or some of the same) 11 people from my personal page with that post.

Bonnie responded to last week's reflection and I invited her boys to add to Mr. E's Monsterous Wiki. I hope they do. (hint, hint). It would be greatly appreciated to have others enjoying the wiki too.

Discussion of Marketing Tactics and How it Relates to Mr. E's Monsters

Marketing something on the internet, according to www.entrepreneur.com, should add "add value rather than clutter to their lives." It should also be very focused. Focused is doable. Monster Art is Mr. E is nicely focused. But how does it add value it people's busy and hectic lives? I mean if I'm perusing Facebook (the main focus of the Monstrous Art marketing) what stops my scroll? Cute things. Funny things, or things that are not about Trump. I know I am going off topic here, but Facebook is more cheery when politics is not 90% of it. . . so things that make me laugh or kick in those cuteness hormones. Monsters are cute? Maybe they're funny?

The whole purpose of the monstrous art is to be a diversion. So how do I go about diverting people's attention from political posts? I feel if I continue on this train of thought I will go back to cuteness. Some of the monsters trade on cuteness...like this one.

Quality gets people to share it and discuss it. What is quality in cuteness or funniness? How do I get someone to like it enough to share it? Always make it funny or cute? The post I made about the Pancake Eating Hippo, was cute, not just the monster but the reaction to it by cute little boys. Between the cuteness of the pancakes and faces of the boys, it did gather more likes and responses and shares than any other monster posts up to that point. 

Plan for it to take time and grow bit by bit. Marketing involves patience? you mean it's not instant? Being that there is nothing beyond time and energy involved in this adventure at this time, the monsters have learned to wait. Mister E's mommy just doesn't have enough time to do it all right now. She made some excuse about being a grad student.

Connecting with influential people/groups can introduce you to a whole new group of people. Good ideas. I wonder who Mister E should connect with?

Build relationships with everyone that reaches out to you. Oh oh, this is beginning to sound a little bit like work. Respond to people? Maybe even in a timely manner. I have ignored my brother when he reached out to talk about picture quality. Since then I figured out how to crop and relight pictures on my phone before uploading them onto the net. I still haven't responded.

Consistently publish good content. I think this harkens back to the concept of better photographs. And making the posts worth stopping for. But what about that word "Consistently"? That goes back to the idea of trying to get new content on Facebook every week. So far I have managed every 2-3 weeks, probably not enough.

Share as you want to be shared. Think I could get my Sister-in-law to share my posts if I share hers? Maybe I could even make a deal of it. And perhaps even expand to other's . . . 
Sigh, marketing sounds like a little work, all the time.

Weekly Relection for Final Project #1

Monster Wiki is up and running. Good news. I have made/set up an awesome wiki. Once I learned the new system it became a breeze to load up pictures and put introductions on each monster. We have 46 pages on the wiki. The most work went into the Index, which is a great place to get an overview of what is currently on the wiki. I am not a programmer, so I am not sure how to make the index to build its self... so it will probably continue to be done manually.

To be honest I did not do all 46 pages of the wiki this week. I started several weeks ago, hoping it would work as this project, but knowing it would be worthwhile effort even if it did not. The additional pages of monsters that I thought might take longer, went up quickly with my son's drawing and input all week. These are fun because they create a connected reading and linking throughout that section of the wiki. I hope to introduce more of this interlinking between monsters. The Squawkapus is a good one to start this bit of interlinking tour on.

Moving forward, my largest obstacle will be to get the reading done and written about. The other large stepping stone is drawing people to it. The Facebook page and posts have drawn more interest on average each week. We get a few new views every day or two. Each post we make we invite viewers to the wiki, but so far the wiki has remained mostly viewerless, not to mention without other participants. I have a backup plan of offering pumpkin cookies to my father to add things to the wiki, but first I will see if there are less obvious-bribing ways to draw participants.

But I am not Angry

Death of a person who lived a good long life does not anger me. It the promise of mortality, that it comes with an ending. It is bittersweet. For I miss my grandma dearly. My heart is drawn out in gratitude for that amazing woman and the life she has led. She was a great example.

The last couple years I often stopped on the way home from school. Sometimes she was out to lunch with her friends or playing cards, and she didn't want me. Other times I was able to sit and talk and show off my baby (#8). She loved to hold him when she was able. I was able to sweep her floor and do little acts of service, although it was never possible to do enough to fill the debt I felt to her.

I wasn't there when she passed. I should have visited her in the hospital before we left on vacation. It is a regret of mine, but she was happily surrounded by wonderful family, even without me. Motherhood of 8 gives you a unique perspective on individuals' involvement in your life. You learn to accept and love them when they are there, and to love whoever is around when they are not. There is always somebody who needs your love, and usually, they are the one in front of you.

But with her passing, I finally have an opportunity to serve her in an eternal way. Finally, there will be something I can do that will be as useful to her as she was to me. My mom and I can take her name to the Temple and do her ordinances and then seal her for time and eternity to her parents, her husband, and my dear aunt Katy. All of which were waiting for her and were there to welcome her to heaven in a big embrace.

Spring Break Dreaming

One class between me and spring break. Then it is a mad 6-week dash to the end of the semester. With not just major paper and projects due on my end, but I got to get 20 students to get through their major papers too.

And I am already wiped. Maybe I should have planned to take spring break in the sun somewhere. Next year that is my plan. This year I am taking a kid to a medical specialist because that is how Mommies actually spend spring break.

But my last class before break is planned, and the last papers that are due before break are in. So, just breathe and I can survive tomorrow.

Too bad there are no sunny beaches in Rochester, MN.