About Me
- Carolyn
- I graduated from NCC with an Assoc Degree in Liberal Arts. I then attended Queens College of CUNY and graduated with a BA in English/Comp Lit. I took a yr off before attending Molloy in '07. I am a writer, an artist, an avid reader, a student, an employee, a daughter, a granddaughter, a niece, an aunt,a sister and a friend. I'm a Sagitarrius and, we, by default perhaps tend to love life.
My Flickr Photos
It was wonderful to meet all of you yesterday. I have a feeling that we are going to produce remarkable creative works this summer.
ReplyDeleteJust an update about next week. Be sure to read the Chapter 2 handouts I gave you and be prepared to discuss what you liked or didn't about the selections. In particular, I want to know what YOU can learn about good prose writing from the author's I've selected for you.
By next Wed you should also have written three posts on anything you want. Just to show you how easy this is, I've written four completely different sorts of posts on my blog. Please check these out and leave some kind of comment on one of them so I know that you've received this message. As I mentioned in class, you can feel perfectly free to steal the style of my posts if you want (especially since I've myself have stolen the style for these posts from writers that we will be encountering later in the semester). Stream of Consicousness posts, rants, silly poems or prose passages, or basic journal entries are all fine for these first writing assignments.
To find your way to any of the blogs for our class, just go to the course syllabus [located at createxp.blogspot.com]
You should also take ten photos of yourself, one of which should be used for your profile pics on blooger and flickr (remember, your profile shot doesn't have to be of your face if you feel self-concious). Although you can shoot whatever you want this week, be sure to follow my recommendations on pp. 18-19 of the handout.
I also wanted you to know that we got permission to go to Field 2 of Jones beach next week (we had to say we are bird-watchers,so you will have to look at least one bird while we are on the beach). I've reserved the college van, so you won't have to worry about transportation. If you plan to stay on the beach after class, you will have to drive yourself and pay the $8.00. If you want to go on your own, please email me and I will send you directions. For next week's class bring your lunch, sunscreen (if it is hot), very comfortable clothes, your camera, pen and paper.
See you next week!
Carolyn, Nice start with both the blog and the photos!
One recommendation: i think you can work on a more interesting profile name and a more creative title for your blog.
ReplyDeleteC -
ReplyDeleteI am waiting for you to start writing so that I can give you some feedback. By now you should have at least two or three posts. I'm expecting interesting things from you....Surprise me!
Hi Carolyn,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Laura and I am Dr. Russo's Grad. Assistant. He has asked me to comment on your blogs. Frankly I have done one, or tried one in the past without too much success. But Dr. Russo tells me your class is capable of great things!! Enjoyed your poetry, although you do have I think 2 more posts to do for tomorrow's class, right? Give yourself some time and try to go outside the box a bit with your title also. I think Mike is right there. Looking forward to seeing more from you. More crazy, less sedate!!
I have returned from my trip to the USVI and am getting ready for our class next week. Please be in our regular classroom before 9am. Around 11am--assuming the weather is good--we will be having the second part of our class on Jones Beach. I will have use of a college van, so you won't need to drive (unless you plan on staying on at the beach). Be sure to bring your camera and pen and paper.
ReplyDeleteIf you have been doing what you are supposed to, you should have a minimum of 9 blog entries (including at least one or two poems) by now. You should also have an average of 30 photos on your flickr site. To give you a sense of how you are doing so far, I'm going to give you a preliminary grade for your blog (B) and your photos (P). Please delete this comment as soon as you recieve it.
B = 88
P = 80
I'm giving you these grades to push you. Take some risks with your writing and your photography. You've overplayed the haikus and family pics a bit too much. You've got to always be trying new things in this class. Remember: to those who have been given much, much is to be expected.
Laura here,ditto on Mike's comments (sorry Mike). No more family pix. Your writing is very nice, but we don't want nice exactly. Get uncomfortable and stay there for awhile :)
ReplyDeleteCarolyn, no posts since the 10th? Lets get going. Pictures too.
ReplyDeleteJust a reminder: to receive a grade of "A" in this class, by this week you should have written about 17 interesting posts and have approximately 50 pics on your flickr site. If you have fallen behind,you still have plenty of time to catch up. In the end, you will need to have at least 30 strong pieces of writing and 30 excellent photos to use for your Blurb book.
ReplyDeleteTomorrow we will meet in the city BEFORE 10:15. Make sure to bring your camera, paper and pen.
Next week, you will need to bring your camera and all of your photos to class (especially the best ones from our trip to the City). We will have an intensive photoshop session where you will learn how to use filters and make photo art.
Be sure to also have read the materials I gave you in class, have listened to the Dylan music and read the lyrics carefully. I want to know specifically which Dylan song you liked the best and why. If you have the chance, watch Part 1 of No Direction Home. We will only have time to watch Part Two in class.
Hi Carolyn,
ReplyDeleteThis is Laura, Dr. Russo's Graduate Assistant. He has asked me to give you a grade for your blog so far. To this point you should have at least 15 blogs and 50 photos. Based on that criteria your grades are as follows: Blog - 75% and Photos - 90%
To All:
ReplyDeleteMake sure to come to class 5 minutes early on Wed. We have a lot to get through. Bring your pics from the city on a flashdrive, listen to the Dylan music, and make sure to read the two sections I gave you.
Some of you are having trouble keeping up with the writing, so I thought I'd give you some easy writing options:
1.3. The Pivot Questionnaire. If you’ve ever watched “Inside the Actor’s Studio,” you probably look forward to the point in the show in which the host, James Lipton, asks a series of personal questions derived from Bernard Pivot’s “Bouillion de Culture.” The reason that these questions are so interesting is that they get to the heart of who the person being interviewed actually is. Try answering these questions yourself, but make sure to explain the rationale behind you answers:
• What is your favorite word?
• What is your least favorite word?
• What turns you on creatively, spiritually, or emotionally?
• What turns you off?
• What is your favorite curse word?
• What sound or noise do you love?
• What sound or noise do you hate?
• What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
• What profession would you not like to do?
• If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
1.5. Personal Ad. This exercise comes from Sandy Grason’s Journalution: “Set a timer for ten minutes and write “Personal Ad” at the top of a blank sheet of paper. Now for ten minutes, describe yourself…Who are you? How do you look to others? What are the most striking qualities of your personality? Why would someone be lucky to spend the rest of his or her life with you? What makes you unique? Who are you, really? Don’t worry about the facts; you can be completely philosophical or just describe your physical qualities. Let your mind wander and your pen lead the way. Have fun!” (172).
1.6 How To. Everyone is an expert at something. For this piece, simply explain in as clear a manner as possible how to do something or make something. This doesn’t have to be anything extremely interesting. You can describe how to make the perfect cup of coffee, how to tie your show laces, how to dress for success, or anything else you think you’re fairly good at.
1.7. Stepping Stones. Ira Progoff in his Intensive Journal advises journal writers to make a list of the major events or stepping stones in their lives. In constructing this list, he recommends that the journalist limit him or herself to no more than 12 entries, so that only the most significant events of ones life will rise to the surface. Here is an example of this kind of entry taken from Tristine Rainer’s The New Diary (76):
1. I was born
2. Around six my first real pain and scare in the hospital. I woke up during the tonsillectomy—inadequate anesthesia.
3. My first love—I was 15, Rose was 14.
4. College and an awareness of class distinctions, money, real competition.
5. Graduate school, the development of an aesthetic sophistication and effete elitism.
6. Marriage to Corinne—it seemed a perfect idea at the time.
7. Bought a movie camera and deemphasized graduate school. I began to make experimental films.
8. Divorce—Corinne left me in a way that I could not fail to get the message.
9. Marriage to Leah—this one really felt right!
10. Made a film in Greece and realization that my marriage was not right.
11. Boy born in London—so many complex emotions and conflicting desires.
12. Directed first feature-length film—low budget schlock, but I did it!
13. A beautiful daughter born—she had me from the moment I saw her….
14. Second marriage breaks up.
Try any one of these. They shouldn't take long to write, and I will count them as posts.
I agree with Laura's assement. The blog posts should be your strength. You don't have to write a novel for each post. Just try to do a few interesting things.
ReplyDeleteTomorrow we will be meeting at 10:15 (9:45 for Carolyn) in front of the ticket windows of the LIRR. Please bring you camera with you (and make sure to have it fully charged).
ReplyDeleteKeep blogging and try to do some of the assigned writing topics. By the end of the week you should have approimctaely 25-30 blog posts and 70 photos (including some that have been photoshopped).
Keep Listening to the Dylan music (from "Just Like a Woman" on) and write your comments on the lyrics sheets I gave you. I particularly would like to know what you think of his more recent music.
Begin to think about a vision for your Blurb book. What photos and pics are good enough to be used in it. This book should be a portrait of who you are at this moment in your life. Pretend you are creating it for future generations. What would you like to convey to them about who you really are?
For tomorrow's class, come prepared to discuss:
ReplyDelete1) the remaining Dylan songs (from Highway 61 on) and the poems I distributed two weeks ago. Have your sheets marked, so you have something intelligent to add to the conversation.
2) Some ideas for your Blurb book (title and vision for the book if you have these yet).
Bring to class:
1) Two typed paragraphs on the following topic: "Who I Am". You can write this anyway you want and should also include it on your blog.
2) Your camera. It's time to get freaky!
Keep writing blog posts and shooting pics. We only have a few weeks of class left and if you don't have decent content, you'll have nothing to use when you start working on your book.
I feeling UNINSPIRED....so surprise me!!!!
ReplyDeleteHello everybody, Dr.Russo has asked me to grade you again. I will be giving you one grade for your blogs and one for your photos.
ReplyDeleteB - 85
P - 95
I am finally back from Florida and am getting ready to give grades for your blog and your flickr site. I'll give you till Monday to add anything you need to. You should your grades from me by Tuesday(posted on your blog).
ReplyDeleteBy now your Blub book should be complted, submitted to the company for printing and almost in your possession. If you think that you won't have your book by next week, please let me know and I will give you a grade of "I". Otherwise you should make an appoitment to dropt it off for me sometime next week. I will be in the Office on Monday and Thursday afternoon, or you can leave it with the philosophy secretary any morning from Mon-Thurs.
I am looking forward to seeing your completed books. If you have any questions or problems, don't hesitate to contact me at any time.
Warmest regards,
Mike
Here are your grades so far for the course:
ReplyDeleteBlog: 88...Some good pieces, but you needed to do a bit more writing to get in the "A" range.
Photos: 94...Very nice job with the photos. Not as many self-portraits as I would have liked, but your inanimate object shots were interesting
Your final grade for the class will be determined based uopn how well your Blurb book comes out, so be sure to do a very good job with it. Drop the completed book off to me at the Philosophy House as soon as you get it.
Delete this comment a soon as you receive it.