Free Blog 7: The Farewell

So this is the last of the Free Blogs, what to talk about now? I could finish up my story, but honestly I’ve waited so long now that it’s not too fresh in my memory anymore. If I kept going it probably wouldn’t be a very accurate account, so you’ll just have to wonder about the epic conclusion. Heartbreaking, I know.
I think this last blog will be about “The Real World” as we’ve been told about it. Yes, something…melancholy to finish the portfolio with.
I’ve always hated when teachers or students talk about “The Real World.” I’m sure you’ve probably heard or used the expression before. But I’m talking about those times in middle school or high school, when students complain about Algebra because “We’ll never use this in real life!” Or the times when teachers say “You think school might be easy now, but when you get into the real world you won’t be able to survive off of just being smart alone Mark!” (I got that from all my teachers in middle and high school.) First of all, yes, you probably wont use Algebra in “real life.” I don’t think you’ll have to be graphing y = f(x) when your working as an IT assistant or playing gigs with your band at the Warehouse. However, I do believe that the point of learning algebra is to expand your mind around logical concepts. Gain knowledge and intelligence. There may not be a practical use currently, but it builds on itself and turns into a useful experience. Probably if your failing all of your algebra quizzes in freshman year of high school because you think it’s “useless,” your going to have a quite difficult time with the rest of school. You have to realize at some point that school isn’t about learning life changing information, it’s about creating a basis for your mind to learn concepts for the rest of your life.
As for teachers telling me that I can’t survive off just smarts alone, well that’s probably true as well. Holding a job takes work and effort, while school, for me, did not. But, to use the old expression, I always said “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.” If I can just coast through school without having to study or do much homework and still make A’s and B’s, why shouldn’t I? I know it wont work in real life, but it’s working now. Why change it? When I have to exert effort, I will. Of course, I never bothered trying to get this message through to many teachers, because they wouldn’t take to it very well.
Anyway that’ll be the last of my rants for now. You know, I kinda liked these free blogs. They gave me a chance to let out things I’ve always wanted to say, but could never convince anyone to actually listen to for longer than a few minutes. A lot of people find it difficult to follow what I’m saying or where I get ideas from, and the explanation of these things is often too long for them to care to listen to. Maybe this has something to do with why I’m pretty good at writing without really meaning to be.
Well, enough of that. It’s been fun. Since I won’t see you on the next episode of Free Blog. I’ll see you on Monday!

Free Blog 6: Interlude #3

Sorry, I know your just dying to read the next part of my epic journey through tornadoes and floods and whatnot. But, typing that takes time, and storytelling skills (because you know, i have to make myself sound heroic), and I can't muster up either of those requirements at the moment. So, looks like you'll just have to deal with one of my rants, or raves for the moment. I havent decided which yet, I'm just thinking about it while i type this.
Ah ha! Texting. Kindly inspired by my good friend Lauren just a few seconds ago when she asked me "If superman can block bullets with his eyes, why did he duck when they threw the gun?". She has a lot of random questions for me...
Anyway, texting. A lot of people have differing opinions on this topic, which i can understand. Some friends of mine (and me, as you've noticed during class, sorry!) text constantly. But why? Well, i dont know about them, but i text just to text most of the time. Honestly, if you have something pressing or important to discuss, just call the person. Texting is a method of entertainment, where you have a conversation with someone for the sake of having a conversation. Thats the way ive always seen it. Theres no point in texting someone if you want to talk about something that would best be discussed in person. Of course, some people do that anyway and it's kinda aggravating.
On the other side, some of my friends glare at me every time i take out my phone, and they say "What are you doing? Something that will take you two hours to text about could be discussed in person over the phone in 5 minutes." Which is very true, don't get me wrong. And so i tell them it's just talking just to talk. Pure entertainment value. And they say "Whats the fun in having a conversation just to have a conversation? That's a lot of typing and effort just to talk to someone." And so, we're kinda back to square one.
I don't know if you like to text or anything. But ask yourself, do you text more for entertainment or utility? I guess maybe you might text your husband saying "We have to talk." just to create a kinda foreboding feeling. That could be utility. Or you could just call and get it over with. Which is the better method?
Well this blog ran over 400 words by quite a bit. Maybe i shouldve written my research paper about this? Oh well, too late now. Hope you've enjoyed my free blog session! I'll be here all week. Have a great weekend! (Or depending on when you get around to reading this, have a great week!)

Free Blog 5: Interlude #2

Let me tell you a story…
So, I was sitting in class the other day, and the teacher just DRONED for like, 35 minutes. I could hardly hear myself think. The whole time we were in there I was just thinking “OH MY GOD, let me do my peer review, I understand already!” It’s only been two days since class and I can hardly remember what the teacher even said! Could you help me remember what class that was? Oh…whoops…
(I’m just kidding Mrs. Giddens!)
But anyways, most students do actually say things like that about their teachers and classes, and it just baffles me. I mean yeah, I understand classes can be boring sometimes. The material may not be that exciting, or a particular assignment might be difficult and the student just isn’t happy with that teacher at the moment. But if you’d ask me, I’d say that just the knowledge contained in classrooms and lectures is enough to keep me interested. All the teachers I’ve had (at Southern Poly at least, I can’t accurately say this for my high school teachers) have been extremely knowledgeable. I think if students would just listen to them their lives in classes would just be that much better. And hell, if the teacher is boring you, read the book while they yap! That’s what I do. Sometimes the book can be that much more exciting than the professor, I hate to say. Kinda like when I used to go to church mass every weekend. Priests bored me to death, but you best believe I just brought my Bible and read random passages and stories while they preached. The Bible really is an interesting read, if you ever need something to do. Just a thought!
So I guess the moral of this story is that you should just listen to the teacher and/or (I guess if you were really skilled you could do both) read the book. It honestly makes class so much more bearable. At least in my experience, I guess some kids just can’t bring themselves to care as much about the pursuit of knowledge. Their loss!
I would say see you next time on Free Blog, but that’s going to be in a few minutes. (I procrastinated this time, I’m sure you noticed.)
See you in a minute.