How, exactly, does one define a boss?
What is a boss?
Going to dictionary.com, I find that there are an incredible amount of definitions.
The one I'm looking for is the person you work for.
The reason why I bring this question up is the fact that all of the bosses I've had in my life (three) I've known for a long time. They are all affiliated with the pool I frequently attended since I was nine. So we are all on good terms. I didn't even have the wit to dress up for the interviews, but it didn't even feel like an interview. More like an everyday conversation. To be a coach, I didn't even have an interview. I guess my ten years of working out at the pool spoke for me and my character.
Oh, boy. If I don't end up working at KOPFC for the rest of my life, will I ever get a job in the real world?!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
You know...
You know you've been watching too much of Masterpiece theatre or BBC drama when you start thinking in a British accent.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Ellipsis
Hi. My name is Natalie. And I'm an ellipsis addict.
Ellipsis(ĭ-lĭp'sĭs):
1. a)The omission of a word or phrase necessary for a complete syntactical construction but not necessary for understanding.
b)An example of such omission.
2. A mark or series of marks ( . . . or * * * , for example) used in writing or printing to indicate an omission, especially of letters or words.
Meh. The dictionary doesn't put into words what I feel for this wonderful device. The ellipsis, or as I like to call it, the "dot dot dots," is such a wonderful versatile tool. Perhaps I don't use it correctly, but if poets use it the way I use it, it must be okay. The dictionary is correct: the ellipsis is very useful when using quotes that are too long for essays. You can use the ellipsis to omit phrases that aren't necessary, so you can be direct and to the point. Professors like that. So do I.
My favorite way to use the ellipsis isn't defined in any of the dictionaries I've looked in. That's probably a bad sign, meaning I don't use it correctly, and probably use it way too often. I like to use ellipsis to imply further unstated thought, a pause, or to lead on...
Sometimes I even use it to mean "et cetera." Sometimes I put it after a statement I've said to a friend in a text, so they are allowed to think what they want. When you text or write, it's hard to get the tone of your voice heard. Sometimes the ellipsis helps the audience understand that perhaps you're being sarcastic, ironic, or joking.
Ellipsis(ĭ-lĭp'sĭs):
1. a)The omission of a word or phrase necessary for a complete syntactical construction but not necessary for understanding.
b)An example of such omission.
2. A mark or series of marks ( . . . or * * * , for example) used in writing or printing to indicate an omission, especially of letters or words.
Meh. The dictionary doesn't put into words what I feel for this wonderful device. The ellipsis, or as I like to call it, the "dot dot dots," is such a wonderful versatile tool. Perhaps I don't use it correctly, but if poets use it the way I use it, it must be okay. The dictionary is correct: the ellipsis is very useful when using quotes that are too long for essays. You can use the ellipsis to omit phrases that aren't necessary, so you can be direct and to the point. Professors like that. So do I.
My favorite way to use the ellipsis isn't defined in any of the dictionaries I've looked in. That's probably a bad sign, meaning I don't use it correctly, and probably use it way too often. I like to use ellipsis to imply further unstated thought, a pause, or to lead on...
Sometimes I even use it to mean "et cetera." Sometimes I put it after a statement I've said to a friend in a text, so they are allowed to think what they want. When you text or write, it's hard to get the tone of your voice heard. Sometimes the ellipsis helps the audience understand that perhaps you're being sarcastic, ironic, or joking.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Devil's Advocate
Yes, I have been called annoying for being the devil's advocate. For some reason, I always feel compelled to look at the other side, the opposite perspective, and see what I can see. I want to be able to see the story from both sides, to gain a broader knowledge of what's really going on in different scenarios, then decide for myself what I think.
For example, in a swim workout I did recently, we had to make sure we went at least 7.5 yards underwater off of each wall before swimming. To be safe, I assumed it was at one of the red markers on my lane-line. Greg confirmed that was where 7.5 yards was. After the first swim, he spread his arms out wide and told me I need to go that much further. So I did. Afterwards he informed me I was going a couple yards further than I needed to. Instead of getting mad, looking back at all the times I really struggled during the workout, wanting air so desperately, my first reaction was: "Thanks! Hey...you should do that more often." Why did I immediately take the perspective of "oh. He raised the standard for me. And I obtained it. Therefore I'm going to be a better swimmer in the long run."? It could have been so easy to get mad and rant about how unfair it was for him to make me work harder than the others...
Why am I like this? I have no idea. I'm pretty sure I got it from such good parents and siblings!
For example, in a swim workout I did recently, we had to make sure we went at least 7.5 yards underwater off of each wall before swimming. To be safe, I assumed it was at one of the red markers on my lane-line. Greg confirmed that was where 7.5 yards was. After the first swim, he spread his arms out wide and told me I need to go that much further. So I did. Afterwards he informed me I was going a couple yards further than I needed to. Instead of getting mad, looking back at all the times I really struggled during the workout, wanting air so desperately, my first reaction was: "Thanks! Hey...you should do that more often." Why did I immediately take the perspective of "oh. He raised the standard for me. And I obtained it. Therefore I'm going to be a better swimmer in the long run."? It could have been so easy to get mad and rant about how unfair it was for him to make me work harder than the others...
Why am I like this? I have no idea. I'm pretty sure I got it from such good parents and siblings!
Logic
So...I have a full-ride scholarship.
For some reason, many people (athletes and non-athletes alike) will try to make me feel bad or guilty that I "have it so easy." They rant about how lucky I am, how I don't have to do anything-this money is literally plopped onto a platter and set right in front of me.
While I head off to my next grueling workout to earn this money, they walk over to whine to a friend on how they didn't have the shirt they wanted at American Eagle, so they bought three different ones. Then they brag about their new car, or their new jeans from Buckle (they're about the same price) they bought last weekend.
How does that work? "I'm going to whine at you because you get to workout your butt off to go to college while I have to pay for everything that I claim I can't afford. But I'm going shopping this weekend at stores with articles that are priced three times they're actually worth. Want to come?"
For some reason, many people (athletes and non-athletes alike) will try to make me feel bad or guilty that I "have it so easy." They rant about how lucky I am, how I don't have to do anything-this money is literally plopped onto a platter and set right in front of me.
While I head off to my next grueling workout to earn this money, they walk over to whine to a friend on how they didn't have the shirt they wanted at American Eagle, so they bought three different ones. Then they brag about their new car, or their new jeans from Buckle (they're about the same price) they bought last weekend.
How does that work? "I'm going to whine at you because you get to workout your butt off to go to college while I have to pay for everything that I claim I can't afford. But I'm going shopping this weekend at stores with articles that are priced three times they're actually worth. Want to come?"
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Silent (or not so silent) films
In my English class we're studying modernism. I guess it isn't limited just to prose and poetry, so we're exploring the early films made.
The first film, which we watched three times was called "Ballet Mecanique." It's only 16 minutes long, and entirely experimental. It came out in 1925. The actual music composed for it wasn't created til the 1990's. So, yay me, I get to watch this show with the music, which involved sirens, airplane propellers, etc. You can easily find excerpts from youtube, but it's just not the same as the impossible-to-find DVD. This film isn't a film you sit down and say "oh, what a lovely film!" It actually made me feel anxious and uncomfortable. I wish I could just show it to you guys so you'd understand, but the DVD it comes on comes with seven other DVD's, costing over $100. Click here for the only video I could find on youtube that had the actual images with the correct music. It's only about four minutes long, a fourth of what I had to endure. It's very interesting though. If you want to just listen to the music, click here. This is actually pretty cool, because all the instruments are played by robots. Fitting, eh?
(If you're way ambitious, you could play the ten-minute video, but mute the sound, and play the real music in another window. It's as close as you're going to get. :) )
Tonight I got to go to the Marriot library to watch "Modern Times." I loved it very much. Charles Chaplin is an expert at making me laugh. So...that was my evening. (Aside from retyping two papers, which only took 2 1/2 hours.)
The first film, which we watched three times was called "Ballet Mecanique." It's only 16 minutes long, and entirely experimental. It came out in 1925. The actual music composed for it wasn't created til the 1990's. So, yay me, I get to watch this show with the music, which involved sirens, airplane propellers, etc. You can easily find excerpts from youtube, but it's just not the same as the impossible-to-find DVD. This film isn't a film you sit down and say "oh, what a lovely film!" It actually made me feel anxious and uncomfortable. I wish I could just show it to you guys so you'd understand, but the DVD it comes on comes with seven other DVD's, costing over $100. Click here for the only video I could find on youtube that had the actual images with the correct music. It's only about four minutes long, a fourth of what I had to endure. It's very interesting though. If you want to just listen to the music, click here. This is actually pretty cool, because all the instruments are played by robots. Fitting, eh?
(If you're way ambitious, you could play the ten-minute video, but mute the sound, and play the real music in another window. It's as close as you're going to get. :) )
Tonight I got to go to the Marriot library to watch "Modern Times." I loved it very much. Charles Chaplin is an expert at making me laugh. So...that was my evening. (Aside from retyping two papers, which only took 2 1/2 hours.)
MAD
I dutifully got two essays done. Well, the rough drafts anyway. I wrote them at the burbidge, and saved them onto my flash drive. This morning, I inserted the flash drive, and successfully edited them to perfection. A warning comes up on my computer, and the next thing I know, the essays aren't anywhere to be found. I safely eject the flash drive, hoping for the best. The essays aren't anywhere in my computer's memory, which is the very first thing I did: save my essays onto my computer. So I hope the essays are still on the flash drive. Nope.
Now I get to retype two essays by tomorrow. Yay!
That's the last time I ever use a flash drive.
Now I get to retype two essays by tomorrow. Yay!
That's the last time I ever use a flash drive.
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