Eng. Comp. 101

Bravo Mr. Goldfine! You have succeeded! I bet you had no idea the task that lay ahead of you on that sunny autumn day in late august. This non-traditional student stepping tentatively into a time machine, backward in time 2+ decades, only to emerge into your classroom and being asked to blog, and write essays and stuff....eeek! well I've come away with some sense of .......hmmmm....a new appreciation I guess. I appreciate the old-fashioned ways, (which are truly gone, lesson #1). I appreciate consideration, (another disappearing quality in the classroom, lesson #2). I appreciate learning that I have to work extra hard and put out extra good work to earn positive feedback, (the hardest lesson so far). I am surprised that this course turned out to be a character building exercise for me, that has been the best part.
All Teachers are. I'm not trying to be profound, they just are. Sometimes they should be...and sometimes they shouldn't. I have studied the methods and attitudes of teachers more often than the class material! And you, Mr. Goldfine need a vacation! Please don't misunderstand me, I think you are definitely one of the better teachers I've had. I can actually say I learned some things in your class! I can't say the same for most. I see a glimmer of true caring for your students. It was once there and I think you want it to come back, but it's fading fast. It's time to take a sabbatical. a break, relax, chill! You try to convince your students that you're not picky, that you don't sweat the small stuff...uh-huh..... It's a lie! Take some time for yourself, the missus, and all those cute puppies that you love. You deserve it.

My 1st Job....

At 17, I knew nothing of it. Work? Oh yes, that’s where my father was most of the time. My mother mentioned the word occasionally when I would ask of his wherabouts, and the more mature and responsible friends that I had, began mentioning it, (it took awhile to realize that work was also a verb ) off and on as the dawn of my 16th summer vacation came closer. I wasn’t made aware of any necessity to seek employment of my own until my social circle began to disappear on me, and the daily invitations to “hang out,” were met with questioning stares that simply said…..”Duh!?” One of many rude awakenings I had the pleasure of dealing with during the formative years of my life. Blindsided once again and left with making decisions that I wished I’d been given some guidance for making. Why do people have to work? Should I work too? Who would give me a job? It must be true that the cobbler’s child has no shoes, because I was a business owner’s child and there I was, without a lick of business sense to be found.
My friends were kind enough to explain the purpose of working to me. Extra money they said. More independence… (HUH?) And of course there was the “more responsibility” part; it was all starting to sound like too much to think about for me. The only affect of work I had ever been exposed to was a father I never saw. I argued the pros and cons of work as I saw them and my friends just hung their heads in shame for me. “Awww…” they would mumble under their breath, “poor thing, she has no idea does she?” “NO!” I wanted to shout. “You’re right! I don’t have any idea!” I would ask my mother; surely she would know something about this.
My mother was kind enough to explain why I shouldn’t have to work; apparently this work thing wasn’t universal. “It’s not for everyone.” My mother assured me apologetically. “We want you to concentrate on school, and you don’t really have to work. Don’t worry about it” she said “It’s not all it’s cracked up to be anyway, and if you can get away without having to work….well then you should!” My next stop would be my father; undoubtedly he could solve this dilemma.
My father was kind enough to explain the job search to me. Off to the shop we went, and I listened attentively as he tried to instill a work ethic in me, in less than 10 minutes. He walked me through the different departments, explaining as we went, and the various tasks I could perform that would constitute as a job. I would file, and clean, I would assist customers and pump gas when things got busy. He left me to complete the simple tasks he had suggested, and by the end of the day there were 3 gas caps lined up across the top of the pump that I had forgotten to replace after fueling. I had cleaned a car and the owner refused to pay when he came to pick it up because it was still so dirty. I attempted to wash the years of greasy fingerprints from the cash register, not realizing that the cleaner was getting inside the machine, ruining everything….. It was my first day and it was my last.
There is a lot to be said for commitment. I heard myself counseling my own teenage daughter on the value of good work ethics the other day. “Make sure it’s a job you can commit to doing for at least a few years.” I advised “It’s important to develop a dedicated work reputation, it’s a small city and by the 4th or 5th job, the references will start to know each other.” I noticed the grin she was trying to hide as she asked….”So mum, what was your first job?”

Been Awhile

It's been a few weeks since a blog post from me. The wire is creeping up. It's such a busy time of year to begin with and adding a few blogs each week on top of an already insanely busy life doesn't seem like a lot.......it is. Everyone should be filled with holiday spirit, yuletide glow, good will toward men, yadda yadda yadda.....good intentions all around, but nearly impossible to pull off. Let's keep our chins up and enjoy the holidays! Once finals are over it'll get easier.......I'm sure of it!

A poll

I wish this blogspot thingy was set up to conduct a poll. I would like to know how many people....all people, believe that a college student is a consumer, a patron, a customer of sorts. Is the college administration a boss? Are the professors, and all other people paid to provide a service to the consumers? An interesting question that I hadn't considered until I....a student, wrote a paper about those three elements that most businesses have, and my professor posed the question to me, "Do you think this school/college is a business? Yes! Of course.....then some hesitation as I realized I haven't ever thought about that. Hmmmm

Division essay

“You don’t work for me, you work with me!” My boss corrected as I mumbled and vented about being tired of working for someone else. I gave her my sideways smirk which clearly communicated my disagreement. “So I can give you a weekly performance assessment report?” I queried sarcastically. “Well no, of course not.” She stuttered, readying herself for the impending debate she knew was looming. It was time to put all of my cards on the table. A workplace is divided into 3 categories of people, and when the lines are obvious, everyone can do their part with a clear idea of what is expected. In nearly every business, there are the employers, the employees and the consumers, each equally important to getting a job done.

The employers hold all the cards, and when they play a fair game, it can be a beautiful relationship. Every successful business begins with an awesome boss. It’s pretty typical though, to be working for someone who appears to be wonderful, and find they’re hiding a pair of aces up their sleeve. It’s incredible to work for someone who makes their employees feel like they have an equal partnership, and just as condescending for an employer to state such an untruth with a smile, obviously trying their bluff.

The successful business is carried by great employees. Hand picked and scrutinized at the original interview, an employee can make or break a company once they’re allowed into the fold. If treated with respect and led to believe that the company would be nothing without them, a good employee becomes an ace in the hole.

The consumers, buyers, patrons, will determine the long term success of any business.
They are the rules of the game, or at least they should be allowed to determine the rules. When a patron feels like they are always right, whether they really are or not, there is true success.

Attempting to run a business is always a gamble, but as long as there’s a complete deck of cards and the game players are working as a team…..it can work. The key is to give everyone involved the opportunity to give a “weekly performance assessment report” or better yet, no reports at all.

Time flies when you're having fun!

It's hard to believe, but we're almost there! Less than 5 weeks of school left in the semester! It seems like we just got started. Well, it's seems that way to me at least. I do see many of my fellow classmates moving about campus in a zombie-like state, behaving as though someone tricked them somehow. As if passing test scores, completed (and passed in) homework and class attendance are a new concept, and if they'd only known.......well then their grades would be much better! Hopefully everyone will be back next semester with a new and brighter outlook on the whole college experience.

Process essay

Writing the process essay was fun, although when I finished and read what I'd written, I realized that anyone bored enough to be actually reading it, probably wouldn't be able to follow most of the process. I think sometimes, we tend to get too close to some things, and that changes how we see them or relate them to others. Assumptions are tricky and I'm pretty sure I assumed some stuff and even after "sleeping on it," I didn't change much. It's good to challenge a potential reader, and maybe the questions that may arise from reading my essay, would prompt someone to go searching for more information....that's always a good thing.

A Day Off

Do you suppose George Bush and John Kerry are taking the day off? Don't you think they deserve to? I think I'm busy. I'm always doing something, but my level of busy-ness can't be anything compared to theirs! Imagine what they've been through over the past several months! All those germ infested hands to shake, Yuck! The painted on smiles and forced small talk must wreak havoc on a persons stress level. Months and months of getting up early and going to bed late, traveling all over the country protected by men in black suits carrying Glocks, worrying every day that you'll be snuffed out by some paid mercenary, Al Quaida or a fanatical so-called American....no stress there. I think the American people should throw a party for both of them, and their families. It would be nice to thank them for the true sacrifices they've made to their health and to the people who have supported them through the whole mess, ahhhh...campaign.
Just a thought.

My Brother-in-laws book

http://markedwardhall.com
I wanted to post the link to visit this web site and see his book that was just released, as well as the book he'll be publishing soon. I just got an autographed copy that I've slated to read during our holiday break from school. Can't wait!

Writing the contrast essay

I took this course for my own enjoyment. I love to write. The contrast essay was fun and easy. It literally poured out of me. Now if I can apply all these little hidden lessons that Mr. Goldfine is packaging these silly, (no disrespect intended!) little assignments in, I'll be doing well!