Portfolios, Feedback, Influenza, OH MY!

Well the time for the final blog post has come. I completed my feedback letter today, after awakening at 4:00. I was not very satisfied with it even after rewriting some of the parts several times, which is something I usually don't have to do. I felt that my best draft was my first, which was a page long.

Not too much else has been going on in relation to the class. I did not even receive the chance to consume Taylor Ham when I got home, really only because I got sick with the flu and a stomach virus, so I literally couldn't eat anything (Perfect timing for Thanksgiving?).

On a more positive note, I believe my portfolio went very well besides one aspect. I thoroughly enjoyed creating the introduction to the writer, as I was able to introduce a wacky and satirical character that I represent in the essays I have written this semester (or maybe I just am that way?) I believe the reflection accurately tells what I have changed from the original versions, but I think I should've made it to include my extras (which by the way, I am very excited about including). The concluding essay was very tough for me to write for some reason. The words just were not coming to my brain, and I believe I will end up rewriting it completely.

Looking forward to feedback tomorrow,

-Dave

Initiating Action Project and other notes

I was almost disappointed when I found out what our final project was going to be, because the way I wrote my essay fits perfectly into the initiating action format. For a short while in class I actually spent a lot of my time trying to figure out what I could write without heading in the same direction as my essay, but my options were so limited. However, I finally found my way after coming to class unprepared with initiating action projects and thinking of http://www.worldjumpday.com/ on the spot. I figured it would be the perfect genre for my subject and I could relate it to the current economic crisis extremely easily. On top of that, it would be unique and probably a little tough to pull off, but not too crazy. So the website didn't really come out looking beautiful, but to be honest web art isn't exactly my forte.

After watching some of the presentations today, I have an idea as to how I want to present myself... my only issue being how I might use all seven minutes of my time effectively. I thought Neil's presentation was absolutely AWESOME and I found myself to be very interested in it. Christine and Liz's we're also extremely well-done, however I didn't find myself as interested because instead of guns and shooting and stuff, there were furry kittens and puppies, and refurbished theaters, which are awesome as well, but just not equally as awesome.

Anyway... not much else to talk about, haven't been doing too much. Started reading an awesome book that really agrees with my sense of humor. It's called "The Areas of My Expertise" by John Hodgman, and it definitely isn't for those who don't like elements of randomness and hilarious stupidity. Thats about all I have time to talk about... gotta work on my energy project and get some food.

Updates and Stuff

Well I haven't posted on this thing in a while, and my grade has reflectively sunk. So I've decided to do sort of a summary type thing to basically catch myself up.

I've begun writing my second draft of my essay, and I'm about four pages in. The writing is very similar to my first draft, but I did make a lot of well-needed changes such as taking out rhetorical questions, creating a better and funnier introduction, and deleting some of the more random jokes that were scattered throughout the essay (except for one which I decided had to stay). I unfortunately was not in class on Friday as I was visiting home, so I did not get the chance to exchange papers with someone for feedback, but something good did come of this. I did have Taylor Ham for the first time in two and a half months on both Thursday night and Friday morning. On top of that I ate at several 24/7 diners, which are extremely scarce down here, and ate real pizza.

I also should respond to the comments that Professor Scott made on my research proposal, so here it goes.

I did make several format errors in terms of my cover letter, so I will probably have to pay more attention to the formatting and overall mechanics next time. I will also try to elaborate more in my cover letter. I noticed that a lot of the feedback received I almost expected after reading it myself, but decided to submit the essay as it was just because it wasn't clear to me exactly what I needed to be saying. One thing I did not really notice until reading your feedback was exactly how unclear it was that I desired something out of this proposal.

Something I did notice, but did not change was the fact that my claims did not seem very strong. I feel like if I did make strong and solid claims, than I would need some type of evidence or information to back them up. Because no such evidence exists in a formal or citable report, I did not know whether it would acceptable for me to claim expertise on the subject, or even cite my interview.

I also noticed that a lot of my framework seemed contradictory, but I did not change this because it proved to be false if you looked more in depth into the type of questions I would be asking. I stated that my questions would require factual and personal answers, but I did not mean that each question would have both a factual and personal aspect to it, because that would in fact be contradictory. What I meant was that several of my questions would be factual and several would be personal and subjective. Furthermore, I do believe you can use straightforward logic to determine a solution to a problem even if a good amount of your data is subjective. Chances are, most people I interview would share the same feelings on some of the questions I would ask, and a logical solution could be catered to what the majority thinks.

Otherwise, I do agree with you that my methods sections is in need of a complete revamp, and that I should also discuss further benefits of funding my proposal towards the end. Thats about it for the proposal feedback I guess.

Well its time to finish my second draft then.

- Dave

Dave Mascera: Interviewer Extraordinaire

So I finally got my interview done. I interviewed a friend of mine from New Jersey who happened to attend the same high school that I did.

His name is Will.

I asked Will several questions having to do with how regularly he consumed Taylor Ham while in NJ, and comparatively how often he eats it while in Virginia. Will ate Taylor Ham at least once a week in New Jersey, preferably on the weekends with a side of coffee. He spends his summers in a lake house in Pennsylvania and was even able to access Taylor Ham there. He claimed that the delicious meat was in fact a part of his life at one point, and like me, was astonished when he first arrived that no one's taste buds had been enlightened. Obviously, due to inaccessibility, Will has not consumed Taylor Ham since moving to Virginia. I finally asked him what he would do to bring the New Jersey delicacy down here. He responded that he definitely wouldn't have a problem paying more than the usual price for the meat and that he had even been considering using an online service for the meat to have it delivered.

I Feel Like I'm Dead

I missed class on Monday.... sorry about that I fell asleep with my iPod on and didn't hear my alarm clock. I ensured that the situation wouldn't occur again by not sleeping last night and taking a caffeine pill. On top of that I'm not exactly up to date with assignments, which is something that I intend to fix within about the next 6 hours depending upon how soon I find my lost backpack with all of my interview notes. So basically I'm full of bad excuses.

Its about time to post my course goals I guess. During this course, I intend to learn what keeps popular customs within subcultures from spreading, I want to find a realistic solution for my community's problem, and I want to become better at researching and investigating.

However, for now I must go take my clothes out of the dryer. (I did my laundry at 4:00 a.m whilst drinking an entire gallon of water and listening to Incubus)

How We Know What We Know

 After much discussion on this subject, my group came to the conclusion that the only true way to know something is by observing it. This was the way that most of modern science and physics were developed. Francis Bacon was the original promotor of empirical thought (as far as I've learned at least), and although he was not a scientist, the beginning of scientific method was developed when early scientists adopted his philosophies. Carriers of the empirical philosophy often ignored knowledge given to them by society and upbringing and tried to test everything out themselves. This type of person is commonly referred to, in my family at least, as an idiot.

Velkommen!

¡Hola! He creado este blog para mis honores la clase inglesa. Estaré escribiendo en su mayor parte en el idioma de inglés, pero porque esto es el primer poste, yo escribo en español. ¡Véalos el lunes!

-Davìd