Virginia Woolf might have done her best to talk about what was not being said. In this regard, she quoted Pericles “The chief glory of a woman is not to be talked of” (242). That, of course, begs the question: What is the chief glory of a woman? With all those books written on women, we are left wondering what could there possibly be left to talk about? (right now I am snuggling my baby who fell asleep on my chest, and I am beginning to suspect that the chief glory of a women lies somewhere around the snuggling of babies.) Unfortunately, Virginia Woolf never had that opportunity, and neither did any of the male authors, and that is why they couldn’t talk about it. They never experienced it for themselves. So perhaps Woolf and Pericles saw the chief glory of the women in terms of what is considered taboo, the things that are not to be talked about.
(stolen from my seminar paper)
Sunday, April 29, 2018
Wednesday, April 25, 2018
Hiding Under the Bed
Final Writeup for Mr. E's Monsterous Monster Wiki Project
About eight weeks ago, knowing that a project was coming up for my wiki and weblog class, and also having just learned about the awesomeness of wikis, I embarked on a daring and dangerous project of cataloging the monsters of Mr. E's imagination and putting them into an online encyclopedia.
The dangerous monsters nipped at my fingers and crashed my phone's camera, but I claimed success after the initial cataloging of 26 of these monsters, and prepared plans for a further expedition. Expedition and cataloging plans.
Over the last 6 weeks of hacking through jungles of paperwork, crossing rivers of maple syrup, and peering around mountains of pancakes, we captured and cataloged 55 different species of monsters.
The key components of success were listed as:
About eight weeks ago, knowing that a project was coming up for my wiki and weblog class, and also having just learned about the awesomeness of wikis, I embarked on a daring and dangerous project of cataloging the monsters of Mr. E's imagination and putting them into an online encyclopedia.
The dangerous monsters nipped at my fingers and crashed my phone's camera, but I claimed success after the initial cataloging of 26 of these monsters, and prepared plans for a further expedition. Expedition and cataloging plans.
Over the last 6 weeks of hacking through jungles of paperwork, crossing rivers of maple syrup, and peering around mountains of pancakes, we captured and cataloged 55 different species of monsters.
The key components of success were listed as:
- 2-4 pages added to the wiki each week. That would be 24 pages for 6 weeks. We got 61!👍👍
- Pages on dyslexia and social media and dyslexia. 👍
- Wiki is well organized, with an index. 👍
- Wiki should have several contributors. (with the aid of pumpkin cookies, I did bribe someone onto the wiki, who fixed a spelling error) 👀
- Share on social media 1/week in an attempt at marketing. We got about 5 social media posts and 40 followers. I also blogged about online marketing for Mr. E. 👍
- Weekly reports (available below) 👍
- Readings that helped me to write and understand more about wikis 👍
Overall, the expedition into monstrous territory was a success, but getting other to tread where angels dare not is a challenge. There are a lot of people interested in and enjoying the humor and creativity of the monsters as cataloged, but few are brave enough to peer underneath their beds with their cameras ready, although at the wiki we welcome all contributions.
Mr. E became impatient with me, while he was creating and I was writing my seminar paper so that he began to take matters into his own hands and started taking pictures of the creatures himself. He did all the sock monster photography. I gave him a few tips on needing full light and a flat camera angle. But this excited me. He was participating in the wiki!!! Now, to see if we can move to the next step (someday).
When writing on the wiki I tried to keep it "wiki wiki," as quick is the nature of most internet surfing. For more or deeper information I linked to my sources. I was amazed at just how much research goes into a good summary or introduction of a topic or new idea. Like, any good technical writing: the clearer and shorter the better.
When writing on the wiki I tried to keep it "wiki wiki," as quick is the nature of most internet surfing. For more or deeper information I linked to my sources. I was amazed at just how much research goes into a good summary or introduction of a topic or new idea. Like, any good technical writing: the clearer and shorter the better.
Things I would change if I were to plan the expedition again:
- I would look a little longer at wiki hosting sites before choosing one. But this one does have the largest 2 features I was looking for. (free! and easy to use) The downside is the side ads.
- I would set up a scanner to scan all monsters that come to light in 2-D, for higher quality resolution and better lighting.
- I would be more consistent on my marketing efforts. Having something worth posting every week is a challenge. Mr. E does not create monsters according to anybody's calendar.
- Bring more people with me, and more equipment (like cameras that don't crash every time they see a sharp claw)
What I like best about this whole project is that it does not end with the class (I can not deny it started with the class, though), the project is designed to continue indefinitely on the web, adding to that great curiosity cabinet of all real and imaginary things.
I have really learned to value the web for the voices it gives people. No longer do we need to interest a publisher to be heard, or have money behind us, we have the internet. And the internet has search engines that catalog and list the things they find even in the farthest corners. I don't like to brag, but my most viewed web post over the last 15 years has been the one discussing, in medical terms the impending birth of a 5th child and what that means for labor, that post has had over 500 visitors. The second most is a short post on universal health care and taxes, about 300 visitors. It excites me to be found as much as it excites me to find. We have a voice even if we refuse to pay for marketing.
And speaking of voice, (this connects into my lit project, which is focusing on women writers.) The web has given women a voice, who for centuries were silenced by the concepts of not needing education to bear children. Women came forward and blogged things that were specific to women, and often culturally taboo and connected with other women who have been in the same boat. Women's issues have been left out of literature for hundreds of years, But, it is precisely that it is left out that is so fascinating. There is a long history of not talking about the biological aspects of being a woman, for men either find it gross or uninteresting, or as my husband says "both." That is why we buy books on puberty for our girls, as it is not discussed in polite society: in case a man might overhear. At least today, the internet has helped bridge the gap. We have women willing to post pictures of miscarriage or early birth, husbands willing to show how their wife looks in the net panties after birth, no end of blog posts on pregnancy or those who are hoping to conceive. The internet marketing on period panties actually brings the word out of whispered obscurity and into our Facebook feeds.That is power, that is connection. Not only does it link us to the world, but most importantly to each other.
I have really learned to value the web for the voices it gives people. No longer do we need to interest a publisher to be heard, or have money behind us, we have the internet. And the internet has search engines that catalog and list the things they find even in the farthest corners. I don't like to brag, but my most viewed web post over the last 15 years has been the one discussing, in medical terms the impending birth of a 5th child and what that means for labor, that post has had over 500 visitors. The second most is a short post on universal health care and taxes, about 300 visitors. It excites me to be found as much as it excites me to find. We have a voice even if we refuse to pay for marketing.
And speaking of voice, (this connects into my lit project, which is focusing on women writers.) The web has given women a voice, who for centuries were silenced by the concepts of not needing education to bear children. Women came forward and blogged things that were specific to women, and often culturally taboo and connected with other women who have been in the same boat. Women's issues have been left out of literature for hundreds of years, But, it is precisely that it is left out that is so fascinating. There is a long history of not talking about the biological aspects of being a woman, for men either find it gross or uninteresting, or as my husband says "both." That is why we buy books on puberty for our girls, as it is not discussed in polite society: in case a man might overhear. At least today, the internet has helped bridge the gap. We have women willing to post pictures of miscarriage or early birth, husbands willing to show how their wife looks in the net panties after birth, no end of blog posts on pregnancy or those who are hoping to conceive. The internet marketing on period panties actually brings the word out of whispered obscurity and into our Facebook feeds.That is power, that is connection. Not only does it link us to the world, but most importantly to each other.
Monday, April 16, 2018
Whistle while you work
I have a washing machine that plays a little tune when it gets done with its load. I feel happy and wish to dance all my way to the laundry room to change that laundry.
Do you think if I whistled/sang when the dishes needed doing that someone would come happily running and do them?
Do you think if I whistled/sang when the dishes needed doing that someone would come happily running and do them?
Friday, April 13, 2018
Weekly Refelction on Final Project week 5?
Yup, The wiki project is still going on. However, I agree with Bonnie, why can't school just be over yet?
Breathe, only 2 more weeks. You can do this.
Yes. I finished all my readings, played wiki fairy and fixed little details on the beast. And then added more monsters, because Mr. E just keeps making Monsters. I peered into his room this morning and what did I see?
A whole heck-a-lot of monsters waiting for me.
I haven't yet got Mr. E on his own wiki. I have barely been in the same room as him all week. So I managed the pics, the uploads and the new pages on some of these babies, but not with much input from their creator, as Dad was taking him to a movie. Maybe a chance tomorrow evening?
I also managed to put this pic on our Facebook page, inviting people, once again to that great wiki.
The readings I did this week did not provide further insight, but in some ways supported the written work on the wiki on dyslexia and wikis.
Breathe, only 2 more weeks. You can do this.
Yes. I finished all my readings, played wiki fairy and fixed little details on the beast. And then added more monsters, because Mr. E just keeps making Monsters. I peered into his room this morning and what did I see?
I haven't yet got Mr. E on his own wiki. I have barely been in the same room as him all week. So I managed the pics, the uploads and the new pages on some of these babies, but not with much input from their creator, as Dad was taking him to a movie. Maybe a chance tomorrow evening?
I also managed to put this pic on our Facebook page, inviting people, once again to that great wiki.
The readings I did this week did not provide further insight, but in some ways supported the written work on the wiki on dyslexia and wikis.
Wednesday, April 04, 2018
Studio Tour: Bonnie's Blog
Bonnie Robinson has been consistently blown me away with her thorough, well thought out and very well organized work this semester. I have looked up to her to understand how to be a graduate student. Her final project is no exception.
ok, Bonnie, that's a lot of writing in the last few weeks. One of these days, I'm going to get through it and finish this post.
That reminds me, thank you for the post on Abe's. I'm always looking for vegan eats when I'm in Rochester. I'll be there next May 14th. :) Maybe we can chat in a coffee house together :) And while we are discussing your post on Abe's, I didn't see a link to their website. Perhaps you could provide one? (although I did easily search it up). You could also provide links to other places you bring up, like the Rochester Public Library.
I feel like I am writing in a totally post-modern way, jumping time and styles and streams of consciousness in the middle of the paragraphs, but if anyone could handle it, you can Bonnie, after all, you've studied some Hemingway - the joys of teaching college-level English.
Bonnie is attempted to unfold and then mesh the histories of coffee houses and the internet, especially in their relation to the free exchange of ideas. This is rooted in the first-hand experience at local coffee houses in the Rochester, MN area, where she makes 3 different visits, including interviewing the owner, or barista for a better understanding of the underlying philosophies of the place.
She does a good job in these interviews. They are well constructed and relevant to her overall connections. I find them most fascinating. This project stands out as one that clearly has not reached its apex yet. It hasn't reached a critical mass for nuclear connection, which Bonnie hopes to achieve, and I look forward to reading.
ok, Bonnie, that's a lot of writing in the last few weeks. One of these days, I'm going to get through it and finish this post.
That reminds me, thank you for the post on Abe's. I'm always looking for vegan eats when I'm in Rochester. I'll be there next May 14th. :) Maybe we can chat in a coffee house together :) And while we are discussing your post on Abe's, I didn't see a link to their website. Perhaps you could provide one? (although I did easily search it up). You could also provide links to other places you bring up, like the Rochester Public Library.
I feel like I am writing in a totally post-modern way, jumping time and styles and streams of consciousness in the middle of the paragraphs, but if anyone could handle it, you can Bonnie, after all, you've studied some Hemingway - the joys of teaching college-level English.
Bonnie is attempted to unfold and then mesh the histories of coffee houses and the internet, especially in their relation to the free exchange of ideas. This is rooted in the first-hand experience at local coffee houses in the Rochester, MN area, where she makes 3 different visits, including interviewing the owner, or barista for a better understanding of the underlying philosophies of the place.
She does a good job in these interviews. They are well constructed and relevant to her overall connections. I find them most fascinating. This project stands out as one that clearly has not reached its apex yet. It hasn't reached a critical mass for nuclear connection, which Bonnie hopes to achieve, and I look forward to reading.
Studio Tour: Distinctively Dani
Distinctively Dani took on the world of travel blogging. And if there is anything that can give people a strong sense of wanderlust it is a good travel blog. Dani not only discusses travel blogs, looking at 2 of them per week, but she also tries to uncover the hidden meaning behind travel blogging.
In her earlier blog analyzing posts, Dani uses quotes and descriptions to show us how the blogger shares his/her experiences with us. A great example of this is March's post on the Expert Vagabond. Her more recent posts seem to shorten the prose, perhaps the beauty of the blogs analyzed changed.
Dani gives 2 other posts per week, her weekly reflection, and a post where she discusses a particular topic in relation to travel blogging, one was identity and travel blogging, and the other was one was on perks for travel blogging. She reads and discusses articles on these topics with relations to the blogs she has analyzed.
Dani begins her blogging about travel blogs with a discussion on her trip to Savannah, Georgia. She is thinking about attending grad school in writing there. From her appreciation of beautiful prose, her wanderlust wetted and showing through every word she writes, I am sure Dani will make Savannah only one of many places writing will take her in her life.
In her earlier blog analyzing posts, Dani uses quotes and descriptions to show us how the blogger shares his/her experiences with us. A great example of this is March's post on the Expert Vagabond. Her more recent posts seem to shorten the prose, perhaps the beauty of the blogs analyzed changed.
Dani gives 2 other posts per week, her weekly reflection, and a post where she discusses a particular topic in relation to travel blogging, one was identity and travel blogging, and the other was one was on perks for travel blogging. She reads and discusses articles on these topics with relations to the blogs she has analyzed.
Dani begins her blogging about travel blogs with a discussion on her trip to Savannah, Georgia. She is thinking about attending grad school in writing there. From her appreciation of beautiful prose, her wanderlust wetted and showing through every word she writes, I am sure Dani will make Savannah only one of many places writing will take her in her life.
Studio Tour: Andrew Hanson
Andrew Hanson's Bible Time blog project fascinates me from the perspective of trying not to be a teacher. I teach adult Sunday school, (and substitute for seminary ie: every morning teen scripture class) and also Argument and Exposition this semester and as I read his posts I want to do what all teachers should do best: ask questions! Every time he says something, I want to ask a question in the margins.
I love his initiative on the topic, how he has jumped in and try to understand and explain the verses he tackles. I am not sure the blog format is particularly better suited for this than a wiki would be, except for Andrew's desire not to have his words changed, in which case the blog is best.
When background information is given and links are given to connect the reader to a better understanding of the topic, it makes good use of the medium like his post connecting us links on burnt offerings and God's ransom. I also noticed that they linked to 2 different religious pages, one a non-denominational Christian, specifically on-line ministry and the other is a Jehovah's Witness. With other posts, the trend continues as Andrew connects us to a wide variety of Christan theological studies. As a reader, it frustrates me that the links don't automatically open in a new tab and I have to hit the back button to continue on the blog.
Andrew gives us a nice amount, enough to learn something, but not enough to be overwhelmed by, of background information on these verses but doesn't tell us where he got this information, obviously, he knows his way around bible scholar sites, but a little credit to the source wouldn't be so bad.
After Andrew expounds on each verse he gives a nice summary of the blog post. Then Andrew ends each of his blog posts with "Thanks, Andrew" That is an interesting touch I don't often see on blogs. Does it make it personal, or does it make it epistolary? And in that case is he following the example of Paul?
I love his initiative on the topic, how he has jumped in and try to understand and explain the verses he tackles. I am not sure the blog format is particularly better suited for this than a wiki would be, except for Andrew's desire not to have his words changed, in which case the blog is best.
When background information is given and links are given to connect the reader to a better understanding of the topic, it makes good use of the medium like his post connecting us links on burnt offerings and God's ransom. I also noticed that they linked to 2 different religious pages, one a non-denominational Christian, specifically on-line ministry and the other is a Jehovah's Witness. With other posts, the trend continues as Andrew connects us to a wide variety of Christan theological studies. As a reader, it frustrates me that the links don't automatically open in a new tab and I have to hit the back button to continue on the blog.
Andrew gives us a nice amount, enough to learn something, but not enough to be overwhelmed by, of background information on these verses but doesn't tell us where he got this information, obviously, he knows his way around bible scholar sites, but a little credit to the source wouldn't be so bad.
After Andrew expounds on each verse he gives a nice summary of the blog post. Then Andrew ends each of his blog posts with "Thanks, Andrew" That is an interesting touch I don't often see on blogs. Does it make it personal, or does it make it epistolary? And in that case is he following the example of Paul?
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