Tuesday, September 29, 2009

computers on the fritz make a crazy homelife...

Took care of my GGIRL tactics this weekend in a very stealth like manner:-)! It was actually kind of funny to see the red tassels jutting out from various art books. Couldn't find my camera so I had to use my cell phone for pics, and as soon as I throw my self on the mercy of my technologically advanced classmates I hope to have the pics uploaded to the blog.

The home computers were on the fritz all weekend on and off and it made everything a big deal. It is incredible how much we depend on technology. I don't know that it is a good thing to be tied to machines and not be able to complete simple tasks. For example: all of the class is proficient in Power Point having done it basically since they where born. I, on the other hand have only had one experience with it last semester and it took me 3 weeks to compose a 7 page presentation with pictures and text on the history of Toulouse-Lautrec. So, I availed my talents of cut and paste and went old school for my presentation. Good ol' foam core board, pics, text and glue...
We can't always rely on technology to accomplish the simple tasks in life, but we can always rely on good ol' fashion hard copy and scissors!

I would rather draw a human figure with charcoal and paper then use a graphic tablet to accomplish the same thing. There is something fundamentally pure and sound in creating with your hands without the assistance of a computer! Although my approach appears to be old fashion and nonsensical it also serves a purpose. It gives the artist an opportunity to use part of the brain that might not be challenged otherwise. And truth be told it could take me years and years to get the hang of this new fangled (sic) technology that my children were born into. So, I will accept that I am a relic if not a dinosaur of an age gone by and hope for the kindness of strangers.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Less than 48 hours till the book closes!

Kol Nidre is less than 48 hours away and my mind is racing as I finalize all that needs to be be done for my family, friends, religious observations and school. Yesterday I continued the class presentation of chapter 2 from D.V.O., it was an ardous task- thankfully Jan was able to decipher the jarganese that was on almost every line of text. It certainly made it easier for me to present the wordiness of the chapter...

Melissa's bumper sticker is very well done and I was happy to receive one. I plan on going to Cook Library in the morning and "place" my bookmarks in the Art section.

Sunday night and Monday, I will reflect as I touch my heart and read out the sins from this past year listed in the Siddur and hope to make better choices in my year ahead (in my personal life and for the environment.)

L'Shana Tova

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Sunday, September 20th

The sun has set and I can finally sit down and compose a thought or two. At this time of the year I try to reflect on all aspects of my life, both good and bad. This year it seems more poignant as the class discusses different topics and different points of view. The ability to think things through in a clear and concise manner is complimented and re-enforced by a persons ability to feel empathy and show sympathy. Moral and ethics play a huge part in my belief system and seem to be coincide with what the class is trying to accomplish.

As a class we seem to come from a variety of different points of view, but I am happy to see that there is respect and an openness to engage in the differences without offending anyone or being offended.

It leads me back to my G-Girl project which centers around- manners, thoughtfulness and being interested in someone besides yourself! If we only thought of ourselves what a dull world this would be!!!! So, lets get Greg as much chalk as humanly possible and get bring some "light" into his school- it won't just make his kids feel better, but it will make us feel great too!

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Tuesday, September 15

While sitting in the ceramics backroom I ran across an article in Collegmagazine.com which seemed to be pertinent to our class discussions. The article was titled "Get up, Stand Up- Three students changing the world" Doesn't that sound like a tag line from our brainstorming sessions! The main point of the particle was to enlighten and encourage the students of today into thought and action. Author, Trish Daly pointed out that this generation of college students is considered very egocentric and she feels that that is far from the truth. Rather than be labeled as selfish and uncaring, she points out 3 students that have taken it upon themselves to bring often overlooked subjects to their peers.

Chris Stevens, a junior at Penn State is focusing on labor issues and self-empowerment for workers. He has staged sit-ins, been slapped with a misdemeanour, arrested and lived to talk about it. He pointed out to his fellow Nittaney Lions that sweatshops were manufacturing their famous and favorite sweatshirts. He was able to have the administration of Penn State stop ordering from Russell Athletics collegiate apparel line. Penn is now one of 70 schools who have dropped Russell.

Alexander Scott, a senior at Georgetown University promotes sexual health and reproductive rights for all. She has gone to Capital Hill and lobbied and had blogged on the Worlds Aids Dy Blog-a-thon. "Speak up-,Join the movement, blog on!" Her project for HIV testing on campus was so well received that they couldn't test everyone.

The last student mentioned was Patrick Mulkern. He is a junior at Boston College and uses the motto "If you want peace, fight for justice!" His cause centers around a US run combat-training school in Georgia for Latin American soldiers. The graduates of the school have been noted for violating human rights and linked to abuses. He also has riled his fellow students up by blowing an air horn and holding up a sign "if you think this annoying, then make it stop (human trafficking) the obscenities of human trafficking; He feels that his activism is part of who he is
and feels that he is on the right path.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Saturday September 12th

Another week of school already finished and so much still to do. The "Middle School Dance" was fun and the mac and cheese was excellent! Enjoyed the energy that the students had when talking about their most recent experiences; Scotland, Rehobeth and a jewelry bench.

The news is still full of the same old song of doom and gloom and while the economy has affected almost everyone there is still much to be thankful for. We live in the most interesting and diverse country in the world, but we take for granted our freedoms and the the luxuries that go with the concept of democracy. Unfortunately with those luxuries of freedom come complacency. This course gives us an opportunity to formulate thoughts and ideas about what we would like to change and how we can go about it.

Greg's idea for his Guerrilla Girl (Man?) tactic is full of energy and light. As soon as he started to explain what he wanted to do, than I wanted to do it as well. I love the idea of bringing something fun and empowering to his students and their school. I hope we get to support him in this endeavour.

TTYL

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Chap. 4 .Art of Innovation.

Brainstormingg seems like such a simple idea until you read chapter 4 of the Art of Innovation. It is a well thought out process that allows the participants to be as creative as possible while still staying on task! I really like the thought process that they speak about and how it "stretches and exercises the mind". Not only does the author establish a strong theory about stimulating the brain through the actual environment (that one is brainstorming in) but, also that brainstorming keeps the brain pliable and articulate. Something everyone needs!

Monday, September 7, 2009

no time off for the wicked...

Read the NY Times on line and was not struck by anything. But, I have given a lot of thought to what I am interested in. Manners, social kindness, the ability to look someone in the eye and not be afraid to say "hello".
I have noticed a lot of the students at TU walk around never looking up to see who is around them. Engrossed or hiding within the technology attached to their ears they evade and miss out on life. It's disheartening to see so much energy dedicated to avoiding human contact.

Friday, September 4, 2009

So today started off with a trip to the dentist that should have happened on Tuesday (if only I could have found Jan.) Not having been able to sleep all week or really eat has made me a tad irritated! After about 8 shots of topical I was told that I needed an emergency root canal and that if I had come in earlier in the week it wouldn't have been so infected and painful- ran to school, got permission to miss a Backroom meeting for Ceramics and then ran back to have the root canal. About 10 more shots of various medications and 2 1/2 hours later , I was done. Now I have a lovely swollen cheek on the left side of my face and it is still very very sore. Hope to be able to chew and eat solid foods by Monday and if I finally can gets some sleep that would be heaven. Spent the week eating only things that didn't need to be chewed...

Tried to get some reading done in both dentist chairs but the xeroxed copies from class kept getting in the way so I finally gave up. Tomorrow's another day.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Reading the New York Times

Wednesday, September 2nd- read through Monday's NY Times to see if they had anything relevant to our class topic and came up with nothing.

Over this past summer I gave the concept of Social Design a lot of thought. I tried to narrow down what is relevant to my peers and gender. Realizing that there would be a difference in age and life experiences within the class I felt that it was important to hear what everyone within the class was interested in before I made a decision about any one topic.

I went on line to research the definition of "Social Design" and found that it is very open to interpretation. While scrolling through different websites I came upon socialdesignsite.com. They are a German based organization who encourage everyone to think about how they came make a small or large change in a positive way.

I also found a website called MakeTools.com which looks promising. Will keep the class posted.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

9/1/009 370-001 first day

Well- Jan's class is off to a roaring start! I am hesitantly looking forward to the actual process of the class, but I am a bit over-whelmed with all of the information thrown at us today! Hopefully I can get myself organized and complete all of the required reading by Thursday.

The real challenge will be uploading pic's for the class assignment onto this blog:~(...