second time around...

Setting up my blog and Avatar....to put it nicely, it simply did NOT help foster a positive opinion of technology.  I think it was mostly like jumping into a cold pool on a snowy day.

Part of it was because I had to assemble the blog in class, so I was a little more uncomfortable than if I were in my own house.  I think that's because I like to talk to the computer and say please and thank you, which I think persuades the computer to run smoothly.  But I'm certainly not doing that in the lab in front of all my classmates.  So I tried to register my blog and create my Avatar, while hoping and praying I didn't break the computer by simply looking at it. I also kept imaging the scene from Little Shop of Horrors in which Audrey II starts eating every one.  I was convinced that the Mac would sense my frustration and start raving, "Feed me, Lauren...Feed me!"  And then it would open up and eat me...So I guess there's just something about using a computer that is not my own, it's a lot like borrowing your dad's NICE car.  It's very intimidating.  

So once I got home and worked on my avatar, I had a great time.  I favorited a bunch of outfits for "LP in 2D and 6inches taller."  It had a similar euphoric effect that shopping does.  I made one that was similar to my haircut, same eye color, etc.  Unfortunately there isn't a way (that I am aware of) in which to change the Avatar's height, or else I would be CRAZY tall.  In reality, I am barely 5 feet tall, and it is NOT cool.  This world is NOT short people friendly.  The whole theme of my avatar was "fun".  I even considered adding a pet cow (there wasn't a cocker spaniel, which I do have).  So the Cow seemed like a fun pet but it didn't fit with the skate park background (no helmet...). Uploading it was a bit confusing, but I got through it all right (once the computer and I had a friendly chat about how she was going to behave and work nicely for me.)

I am enjoying blogging, anything that involves writing I typically really enjoy.  So setting up my blog for readers was fun.  I decided to keep my user name and title pretty simple for grading purposes.  If there's a bunch of students in 1040 right now, I would hate for my prof to get REALLY confused over my blog, so I thought the more obvious the better.  Simply for the sake of my readers.  However, the creative pun-lover in me decided to have fun with the post titles.  So instead of labeling them thing one, thing two, etc., I'm going to come up with a cute phrase like "First Things First"  So I hope it isn't a problem or too confusing.  And I hope some one else finds it humorous.

first things first

The 7 1/2 habits of life long learning were not what I expected.  When I think of what I want to learn about for the rest of my life and how I want to do it, my list was different from the tutorial.  Yet, I still found their points/suggestions to be incredibly valid.  

The easiest tip for me is number 1: GOALS!  I'm not big on sports metaphors (in fact, I am more confused by sports metaphors.  I had a boss who used to explain projects to me with sports metaphors and He quickly received that blank, iced over stare).  But, knowing what you want to learn, the final product, is by far the easiest thing for me.  If I know what I want to learn, master, or just understand, it is easier for me to be more enthusiastic about learning.  I remember how I used to get so frustrated in college to sit through courses required for my major that weren't classes I REALLY wanted to take.  I didn't really want to take them because I didn't really find anything in the subject matter that I was interested in learning.  Now, 6 years after first entering a college lecture hall, I see that even if I'm not completely interested in the course I'm still going to learn something valuable so I need to "suck it up" and be more objective.  Which leads me into the hardest tip (or one of them...) 

The first tip that struck me as hardest was the third step, viewing problems as challenges.  I'll admit it, I am only the teeniest bit "melodramatic" and when I encounter a problem it is so much easier for me to be a bit peeved for a few hours, then come back with a fresh approach.  I know I have to work on my problem-solving skills, and I have gotten better, but there is still a nagging voice in the back of my head that won't stop complaining and moaning whenever I encounter a problem.  I think I just need to work on my rebound time.  

I also know that the technology tip won't ever be easy to accept.  I am a geriatric in a 23 year-old body, and computers just bug me.  Most technology does- I don't have an iPod, I only use my cell phone for tetris and phone calls (I don't even have a fancy-shmancy ringer on it!), and I've never changed the template for my myspace.  I think it's the fact that I can't talk to technology, and it changes so fast, who can really keep up with it?  I am so much more comfortable creating a posterboard for a presentation instead of a powerpoint.  I think technology also brings out my impatient side.  I get impatient with myself for not being able to pick it up quickly, I really am SO slow.