A thought from atop the proverbial soap box
There's a definite sense of accomplishment and satisfaction when you see your name in print under a paper, article or even blog post and you know it's destined for the eyes of somebody besides you, who wrote it. I don't think I'll ever tire of it. I was so excited about getting published in the Deseret News on Saturday that I've been showing practically everybody who's set foot in our apartment since then - Kelly, Holly, Lynette, Sara, Mara, my visiting teachers... Not to mention announcing the accomplishment on Facebook. It feels really nice to work hard on something and have somebody notice what you did. Like when Kelly won a Kindle from a blogging contest a few weeks ago (she writes really well; check out her blog - it'll be well worth your time). Or when Sara was in the newspaper because she was a Sterling Scholar. Or when Graig and Tyson advanced to the national history fair and both families got to visit Washington, D.C. for a couple days.
With journalism, I am keenly aware of the added responsibility I have to publish the truth and its relevance to people within the typical "readership" of the publication as well as all over the world (thanks, Internet). I take that challenge seriously. It takes a lot of hard work and effort to gather enough information for each story that you can write it in context, with minimal dramatization, representing each voice the best you can. I don't expect to please everyone, but I do expect to please myself. If I can satisfy my journalistic conscience that I portrayed the story the best I could, I can withstand any reasonable criticism.
Even though sometimes it's hard to live with that responsibility, I love what I am doing. And honestly, what kind of job doesn't have some degree of responsibility? Each worker bee is important - the trick is recognizing the good that can come from your contribution.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
Heat like unto a dryer
I didn't have enough quarters to put my clean clothes in the dryer on Saturday, so I hung them up wet all over Mara's and my room to air dry. The last time I resorted to this, it took a full 24 hours for most of the items to dry, and I went to sleep expecting the same result this time.
BUT! (if you buy three completos...)
Apparently my Arizona roommates keep the heat on high, because by the time I woke up Sunday morning everything was dry - even my jeans. (Or maybe my upstate New York roommate who repeatedly walks through snowdrifts in flip-flops is the one who keeps it so toasty warm inside.) I think the temperature feels nice. It did save me 75 cents.
BUT! (if you buy three completos...)
Apparently my Arizona roommates keep the heat on high, because by the time I woke up Sunday morning everything was dry - even my jeans. (Or maybe my upstate New York roommate who repeatedly walks through snowdrifts in flip-flops is the one who keeps it so toasty warm inside.) I think the temperature feels nice. It did save me 75 cents.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Food! My favorite topic
There are several reasons why I spend less than five percent of my income on food (as calculated by USAA's handy spending calculator):
Then today after my Spanish conversation lab ends, Sara, Mara and I are having a Cannon date! The Cannon Center is an awesome all-you-can-eat place right next to Helaman Halls. They have delicious fruit drinks, if nothing else.
- The mass production and industrialization of food in los Estados Unidos, which significantly lowers its cost
- Work sometimes has extra food
- My roommates share all kinds of yummy food
- My mother sends all manner of frozen leftovers and other goodies home
Then today after my Spanish conversation lab ends, Sara, Mara and I are having a Cannon date! The Cannon Center is an awesome all-you-can-eat place right next to Helaman Halls. They have delicious fruit drinks, if nothing else.
Soaking up the sun with my buddies the boxelder bugs
Anytime the sun shines through the window into my lonely office, I receive a host of small visitors that come out of hiding to soak it in. My rule about the boxelder bugs is the same with spiders- if they don't bother me, I don't bother them. This one's name is Sara- isn't it cute?
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Mara was in my dream last night
“Can you fly with someone holding on to you?” Corrie asked Mara.
“Maybe. Let’s try it.” Mara turned her back toward Corrie and waited.
After a few failed attempts to wrap herself securely around Mara’s waist, Corrie settled for the piggyback position, using her legs and arms to hold on tight. As soon as she stopped wiggling around, Mara leaned forward, spread out her arms, and began to run.
Takeoff came slowly with her labored gait, but almost twenty seconds after she started her sprint, Mara felt the magic kick in, lifting her feet off the ground even as they continued to churn, running in midair. Corrie clung to her tighter as Mara flapped her arms, lifting them ever higher until they were over the castle wall.
“No fair!” Ben, who had just vaulted the same wall, shouted up at them from the forest side. “How come you get to fly?”
Corrie whooped as Mara glided down to land in front of him. “You did it!” She slid off Mara’s back and grinned foolishly at Ben. “You’re not jealous, are you?”
Just then, all three of them heard a shout from the castle. “I don’t have time to be jealous,” Ben said. “I’m too busy running!”
By the time the castle’s occupants had lowered the drawbridge and sent men to look for the three vagabonds, Ben, Corrie and Mara had disappeared into the forest for good.
--
Mara landed silently and dove behind the largest cluster of rocks she could find. Immediately after she was hidden, a swarm of electronic insects buzzed noisily overhead. Their needle-like pincers flashed dully in the dusky light. Mara winced, thinking of what would have happened if they had caught her. Angering that magician had been the stupidest thing she, Corrie and Ben had ever done on purpose.
Dr. Reed has some explaining to do, she thought darkly. But unfortunately, she couldn’t confront Reed until she found him. That llama.
She shifted slightly to a more comfortable position while she waited for the swarm to end. Something caught her eye. A dark shape.
Spies and assassins forgotten, Mara rolled to her knees and peered at it. It looked like the entrance to a cave, but the cavity was so overgrown she hadn’t noticed it at first. She glanced once at the sky, where the swarm had finally begun to thin out, and then crawled over to it, ducked under the lichens and cobwebs and entered.
The cave was large enough for her to sit up straight but not enough for her to stretch out on the floor. However, even if Mara were claustrophobic she wouldn’t have cared. There was a small pool in the middle of the floor, perfectly circular and about a foot wide in all directions. On the top of the water was a sheet of ice, frozen so still it looked like glass. It glowed with a pale blue light Mara instantly recognized as magic.
She went closer, moving slowly and with caution, until she was staring at her reflection in the pool. Her face was thin, her hair windblown. She glanced to the side and saw a stack of parchment paper, a feather pen, and a jar of black ink. A thrill went through her. This is a magician’s postal station!
She had only heard of magician’s post in stories. Most didn’t believe in it. Mara certainly hadn’t. Until the night she’d unwittingly received the power of flight, Mara hadn’t even believed in magic.
It was said that any letter placed in a magician’s postal station would be sent and received instantaneously by the intended recipient. Mara couldn’t even imagine such speed of communication, but she was eager to try it. Seizing the pen and ink, she selected a piece of paper and wrote,
Corrie. I’m still alive. Searching for Dr. R. and B. to help rescue you. Hang tight. M.
Holding her breath, Mara picked up the letter and set it gently on the surface of the pool. A flash of blue light startled her and seared her vision, but when the spots cleared, she saw that the letter had vanished. Somewhere, Corrie had just received a message of hope.
I hope she was alone, Mara thought suddenly, and her stomach clenched with worry. What if she wasn’t alone?
Outside the cave, a single electronic insect hovered low to the ground. One of the last in the swarm to pass overhead, a muddled bright flash had caught its attention, sending it sweeping down to investigate. Buzzing mechanically, it zipped forward, scanning the clusters of rocks for anything suspicious. It noticed what appeared to be a cavity in a rock and headed toward it. As it got closer, the insect glimpsed a shadowed figure partially illuminated by a dull blue glow. The figure’s head swung suddenly toward it; one hand, clenching something, moved quickly.
The insect went into full reverse and narrowly escaped being struck with what looked like an ink bottle. Switching from a buzz to a loud, blaring siren, it lifted into the air and flew after the swarm.
I opened my eyes and smiled to myself. "Wow, that was a super awesome dream." Then I looked at the clock. "Wow, I should be leaving right now."
“Maybe. Let’s try it.” Mara turned her back toward Corrie and waited.
After a few failed attempts to wrap herself securely around Mara’s waist, Corrie settled for the piggyback position, using her legs and arms to hold on tight. As soon as she stopped wiggling around, Mara leaned forward, spread out her arms, and began to run.
Takeoff came slowly with her labored gait, but almost twenty seconds after she started her sprint, Mara felt the magic kick in, lifting her feet off the ground even as they continued to churn, running in midair. Corrie clung to her tighter as Mara flapped her arms, lifting them ever higher until they were over the castle wall.
“No fair!” Ben, who had just vaulted the same wall, shouted up at them from the forest side. “How come you get to fly?”
Corrie whooped as Mara glided down to land in front of him. “You did it!” She slid off Mara’s back and grinned foolishly at Ben. “You’re not jealous, are you?”
Just then, all three of them heard a shout from the castle. “I don’t have time to be jealous,” Ben said. “I’m too busy running!”
By the time the castle’s occupants had lowered the drawbridge and sent men to look for the three vagabonds, Ben, Corrie and Mara had disappeared into the forest for good.
--
Mara landed silently and dove behind the largest cluster of rocks she could find. Immediately after she was hidden, a swarm of electronic insects buzzed noisily overhead. Their needle-like pincers flashed dully in the dusky light. Mara winced, thinking of what would have happened if they had caught her. Angering that magician had been the stupidest thing she, Corrie and Ben had ever done on purpose.
Dr. Reed has some explaining to do, she thought darkly. But unfortunately, she couldn’t confront Reed until she found him. That llama.
She shifted slightly to a more comfortable position while she waited for the swarm to end. Something caught her eye. A dark shape.
Spies and assassins forgotten, Mara rolled to her knees and peered at it. It looked like the entrance to a cave, but the cavity was so overgrown she hadn’t noticed it at first. She glanced once at the sky, where the swarm had finally begun to thin out, and then crawled over to it, ducked under the lichens and cobwebs and entered.
The cave was large enough for her to sit up straight but not enough for her to stretch out on the floor. However, even if Mara were claustrophobic she wouldn’t have cared. There was a small pool in the middle of the floor, perfectly circular and about a foot wide in all directions. On the top of the water was a sheet of ice, frozen so still it looked like glass. It glowed with a pale blue light Mara instantly recognized as magic.
She went closer, moving slowly and with caution, until she was staring at her reflection in the pool. Her face was thin, her hair windblown. She glanced to the side and saw a stack of parchment paper, a feather pen, and a jar of black ink. A thrill went through her. This is a magician’s postal station!
She had only heard of magician’s post in stories. Most didn’t believe in it. Mara certainly hadn’t. Until the night she’d unwittingly received the power of flight, Mara hadn’t even believed in magic.
It was said that any letter placed in a magician’s postal station would be sent and received instantaneously by the intended recipient. Mara couldn’t even imagine such speed of communication, but she was eager to try it. Seizing the pen and ink, she selected a piece of paper and wrote,
Corrie. I’m still alive. Searching for Dr. R. and B. to help rescue you. Hang tight. M.
Holding her breath, Mara picked up the letter and set it gently on the surface of the pool. A flash of blue light startled her and seared her vision, but when the spots cleared, she saw that the letter had vanished. Somewhere, Corrie had just received a message of hope.
I hope she was alone, Mara thought suddenly, and her stomach clenched with worry. What if she wasn’t alone?
Outside the cave, a single electronic insect hovered low to the ground. One of the last in the swarm to pass overhead, a muddled bright flash had caught its attention, sending it sweeping down to investigate. Buzzing mechanically, it zipped forward, scanning the clusters of rocks for anything suspicious. It noticed what appeared to be a cavity in a rock and headed toward it. As it got closer, the insect glimpsed a shadowed figure partially illuminated by a dull blue glow. The figure’s head swung suddenly toward it; one hand, clenching something, moved quickly.
The insect went into full reverse and narrowly escaped being struck with what looked like an ink bottle. Switching from a buzz to a loud, blaring siren, it lifted into the air and flew after the swarm.
I opened my eyes and smiled to myself. "Wow, that was a super awesome dream." Then I looked at the clock. "Wow, I should be leaving right now."
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Margaret and the righteous midterm
I belong to an unofficial novel writing club composed of some former Creative Writing classmates from last fall and friends. Yesterday on Facebook, Tyler informed us he wouldn't be able to make the weekly meeting because of "evil midterms," to which our teacher Margaret responded, "If there are evil midterms, there must also be righteous ones because there is opposition in all things." This post, written by Margaret, followed.
Young, Margaret. Untitled. BYU Book Club. Facebook, 8 Nov 2011. Web.
Righteous midterm: Time limit: 2 hours. Begin immediately. Art: Given one eight-count box of crayons and three sheets of notebook paper, recreate the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Skin tones should be true to life. Biology: Create life. Estimate the differences in subsequent human culture if this form of life had developed 500 million years earlier, with special attention to its probable effect on the English Parliamentary System circa 1750. Prove your thesis. Chemistry: You must identify a poison sample which you will find at your lab table. All necessary equipment has been provided. There are two beakers at your desk, one of which holds the antidote. If the wrong substance is used, it causes instant death. You may begin as soon as the professor injects you with a sample of the poison. (We feel this will give you an incentive to find the correct answer.) Civil Engineering: This is a practical test of your design and building skills. With the boxes of toothpicks and glue present, build a platform that will support your weight when you and your platform are suspended over a vat of nitric acid. Computer Science: Write a fifth-generation computer language. Using this language, write a computer program to finish the rest of this exam for you. Economics: Develop a realistic plan for refinancing the national debt. Trace the possible effects of your plan in the following areas: Cubism, the Donatist Controversy and the Wave Theory of Light. Outline a method for preventing these effects. Criticize this method from all possible points of view. Point out the deficiencies in your point of view, as demonstrated in your answer to the last question. Electrical Engineering: You will be placed in a nuclear reactor and given a partial copy of the electrical layout. The electrical system has been tampered with. You have seventeen minutes to find the problem and correct it before the reactor melts down. Engineering: The disassembled parts of a high-powered rifle have been placed on your desk. You will also find an instruction manual, printed in Swahili. In 10 minutes, a hungry Bengal tiger will be admitted to the room. Take whatever action you feel necessary. Be prepared to justify your decision. Epistemology: Take a position for or against truth. Prove the validity of your stand. General Knowledge: Describe in detail. Be objective and specific. History: Describe the history of the Papacy from its origins to the present day, concentrating especially, but not exclusively, on its Europe, Asia, America and Africa. Be brief, concise and specific. Mathematics: Derive the Euler-Cauchy equations using only a straightedge and compass. Discuss in detail the role these equations had on mathematical analysis in Europe during the 1800s. Medicine: You have been provided with a razor blade, a piece of gauze, and a bottle of scotch. Remove your appendix. Do not suture until you work has been inspected. You have fifteen minutes. Metaphysics: Describe in detail the probably nature of life after death. Test your hypothesis. Music: Write a piano concerto. Orchestrate and perform it with flute and drum. You will find a piano under your seat. Philosophy: Sketch the development of human thought. Estimate its significance. Compare with the development of any other kind of thought. Psychology: Based on your knowledge of their works, evaluate the emotional stability, degree of adjustment, and repressed frustrations of each of the following: Alexander of Aphrodisis, Rameses II, Hammuarabi. Support your evaluation with quotations from each man's work, making appropriate references. It is not necessary to translate. Physics: Explain the nature of matter. Include in your answer an evaluation of the impact of the development of mathematics on science. Political Science: There is a red telephone on the desk beside you. Start World War III. Report at length on its socio-political effects if any. Public Speaking: 2500 riot-crazed aborigines are storming the classroom. Calm them. You may use any ancient language except Latin or Greek. Religion: Perform a miracle. Creativity will be judged. Sociology: Estimate the sociological problems which might accompany the end of the world. Construct an experiment to test your theory. Extra Credit: Define the universe, and give three examples. |
Young, Margaret. Untitled. BYU Book Club. Facebook, 8 Nov 2011. Web.
Friday, November 4, 2011
President Samuelson sighting
This morning as I arrived on the edge of campus (by the Tanner Building), I saw a familiar-looking silver-haired man chatting with a university policeman. One of the girls who was standing by me gave me a nudge and said with a big grin, "Look! That's President Samuelson!"
She was so excited to say good morning to President Samuelson, it made me excited too. When the light changed and we could cross the street, we walked right past him and said good morning. He smiled and said hello.
"I've never seen him up close before," my new friend said happily as we continued on our way.
"He came to a women's basketball game once," I said. I was pleasantly surprised when the girl answered enthusiastically. Apparently she attended several women's basketball games last year (they usually don't get very good attendance), so we were able to talk women's basketball until it was time to go our separate ways.
She was so excited to say good morning to President Samuelson, it made me excited too. When the light changed and we could cross the street, we walked right past him and said good morning. He smiled and said hello.
"I've never seen him up close before," my new friend said happily as we continued on our way.
"He came to a women's basketball game once," I said. I was pleasantly surprised when the girl answered enthusiastically. Apparently she attended several women's basketball games last year (they usually don't get very good attendance), so we were able to talk women's basketball until it was time to go our separate ways.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Maintenance came by yesterday
Great news: our sink and dishwasher are fixed! Sara and I walked in the door yesterday to find Lynette going after the pile of dirty dishes with a vengeance. (We offered to help but she said she didn't need it.) So thanks for the offer, Mom, but we won't need any paper plates. :)
Also, my fingers are almost completely unjammed, although it's entertaining to watch them slowly turn black and blue- they're a little bruised.
I love Wednesdays! They're the day I get to go home the earliest. Although today I have an examen escrito en español- but I've been studying and it shouldn't be too bad or take too long.
Also, my fingers are almost completely unjammed, although it's entertaining to watch them slowly turn black and blue- they're a little bruised.
I love Wednesdays! They're the day I get to go home the earliest. Although today I have an examen escrito en español- but I've been studying and it shouldn't be too bad or take too long.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Stories
Hmm, which story to tell today... I can't decide, so I guess I'll summarize the most interesting ones.
Our garbage disposal broke on Sunday. We got Josh to try to fix it, but the poor thing was beyond his help. While he was poking around, he discovered the other side of the sink was also draining incorrectly. We are currently banned from using the sink. Then our dishwasher broke- it's not draining either! Kelly (I think it was Kelly) duct taped a sheet to the ceiling, forming a makeshift wall between our living room and kitchen so we can invite people over without fear of judgment. The sheet will remain until we are able to tackle Mount Dirty Dishes and clean our counters.
I jammed the middle and ring fingers of my left hand in basketball class yesterday morning. I've never experienced a jam that lasted more than a few minutes, and by two o'clock they were hurting so bad I ended up getting x rays to make sure they weren't broken. Mom and Dad really took care of me there. The official verdict was, not broken. I'm hoping they'll be unjammed by basketball class tomorrow.
After I jammed my fingers, I was a little worried about how much it would hurt to play my saxophone. I soaked my fingers in Epsom salt prior to practicing last night and they were fine. I played for the whole half hour (I know seven scales now!), enjoyed myself thoroughly, and decided it was time to go back inside. (I practice outside so I can blow hard.) I got out my keys and started walking to my stairwell, where lo and behold there was a make out session going on about three feet from my door. The couple didn't see me at first because I hightailed it back to my spot on Alta's front lawn and plunked out some more songs, hoping they would be gone by the time I went back. Five minutes later, I tried again. They were still there. I left again and played some more. Five minutes after that, I decided to jingle my keys a little to announce my presence and then march right up to my door and ignore the couple as I went in.
It almost worked. I was scraping the key in the lock when they awkwardly broke apart. True to my plan, I ignored them. I didn't recognize the guy and I didn't care to find out if I knew the girl. As I was crossing the threshold, the guy said something I didn't register until I was all the way in.
"Sounded good."
"Thanks," I mumbled and shut the door behind me. Apparently I should be more careful about who is in earshot of my dazzlingly romantic sax scales in the future.
Our garbage disposal broke on Sunday. We got Josh to try to fix it, but the poor thing was beyond his help. While he was poking around, he discovered the other side of the sink was also draining incorrectly. We are currently banned from using the sink. Then our dishwasher broke- it's not draining either! Kelly (I think it was Kelly) duct taped a sheet to the ceiling, forming a makeshift wall between our living room and kitchen so we can invite people over without fear of judgment. The sheet will remain until we are able to tackle Mount Dirty Dishes and clean our counters.
I jammed the middle and ring fingers of my left hand in basketball class yesterday morning. I've never experienced a jam that lasted more than a few minutes, and by two o'clock they were hurting so bad I ended up getting x rays to make sure they weren't broken. Mom and Dad really took care of me there. The official verdict was, not broken. I'm hoping they'll be unjammed by basketball class tomorrow.
After I jammed my fingers, I was a little worried about how much it would hurt to play my saxophone. I soaked my fingers in Epsom salt prior to practicing last night and they were fine. I played for the whole half hour (I know seven scales now!), enjoyed myself thoroughly, and decided it was time to go back inside. (I practice outside so I can blow hard.) I got out my keys and started walking to my stairwell, where lo and behold there was a make out session going on about three feet from my door. The couple didn't see me at first because I hightailed it back to my spot on Alta's front lawn and plunked out some more songs, hoping they would be gone by the time I went back. Five minutes later, I tried again. They were still there. I left again and played some more. Five minutes after that, I decided to jingle my keys a little to announce my presence and then march right up to my door and ignore the couple as I went in.
It almost worked. I was scraping the key in the lock when they awkwardly broke apart. True to my plan, I ignored them. I didn't recognize the guy and I didn't care to find out if I knew the girl. As I was crossing the threshold, the guy said something I didn't register until I was all the way in.
"Sounded good."
"Thanks," I mumbled and shut the door behind me. Apparently I should be more careful about who is in earshot of my dazzlingly romantic sax scales in the future.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)