Grad School Annals

This tumblr will chronicle my experiences/thoughts regarding graduate school... I hope you enjoy them. Lots of 30 Rock GIFs because oftentimes Liz Lemon describes my life #GradSchool #30Rock #30RockGif

[goworkonit]

On Day Two (of Teaching)...

I emailed all my students Tuesday telling them not to worry about “Simple Task.” Instead, I would bring in a deck of cards and they would then produce a brief impromptu speech based on the cards they selected. This would be part of my activity, but I was still missing lecture content. Not only that, I also had to continue/wrap up the Tina Fey reading, and introduce “My Pro Tips for Collegiate Success” all of which were in my PowerPoint for the first day, which was in my flash drive. Assuming that it was somewhere in my belongings I left that task for later.

Later arrived, and I went searching for my flash drive only to realize it was missing. My search in all the usual placed proved fruitless and I was worried because, well, that thing has a lot of my old school work and other documents that I need. So I reached out to some folks I was with and asked if I had left it with them. I didn’t. There was nothing I could do except wait for today and look on campus…

Much to my dismay I woke up later than I would have liked. This kind of set me back in a general sense. Morning traffic is generally not cool, today was no exception. Knowing that I had woken up late and left my house a little later than I would have liked; I tried taking an alternative route. This didn’t really help, as it took me virtually the same amount of time to reach my destination.

My first class starts at 8:00am, and I was still a few minutes away from campus at 7:50am. Not only that, but I still had to find parking, which is notoriously nefarious at SDSU. Fortunately, I have Faculty Parking, and I remembered there’s a small lot near my first class. Parking was swift, and then I walked briskly to class because it was starting in about 5 minutes. My main presentation was MIA because I was sans flash drive. So, upon getting to class I essentially wanted to start the activity. But, since I arrived a little early [about 3min], I asked my students if we should start to which they said no. So, I just waited for the clock to strike 8:00am.

Once that happened, I asked if they had gotten my email, to which they said yes. I then proceeded to explain the activity: I’ve brought a deck of cards with me, you will select any given two, you will read them and tell us a brief story or speech about the cards that you’ve selected. Everyone was a little confused, because they thought it was a “normal” deck of cards. Then I pulled out the black box that has Cards Against Humanity and I just heard a mixture of gasps, and chuckles. I did this for all my classes, and they all seemed to have enjoyed it.

Towards the end of class I provided a brief breakdown of their first speech, told them next week would be a rather dry topic: APA style, and asked them to look over the links I provided for that topic. I also offered everyone their first shot at an extra credit opportunity: reread/finish reading the Bossypants excerpt and do a brief write up on why they think it’s important/how it pertains to class. I should probably upload it on Blackboard sometime soon…

That is all for today. Class Dismissed. 

PS I found my flash drive in my last classroom, I left it on the podium and it was waiting for me. It was an exciting moment when I found it. Will probably do “My Pro Tips” sometime in the near future, we’ll see.

PPS In my last class we discussed musical selection and they opted for movie scores [a favorite of mine] so I think that's what I'll play from now on until the beginning of class, or whenever they're doing an activity. My first two classes didn't seem to mind Herbie Hancock radio, but I should probably bring it up, and see what they think...

[goworkonit]

On the First Day...

Today was my first day as an instructor. For the past few years or so, I had mentally played my first day of instruction in multiple ways. In one of the versions, I was sitting in the rows pretending to be a student, then I would let the clock tick by & after a few minutes introduce myself as the instructor. That is not what I did.

As of this moment, I’m not entirely sure how the idea I ended up executing on my first day came to be. But, I have been thinking about it and practicing it for at least a week or so. The first time I actually presented it, was Wednesday of last week, in front of my peers and fellow GTAs. This was my idea, do Snape’s potion master monologue from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone modified for the purposes of my class. It went something like this:

     “There will be no foolish handholding or silly incantations in this class. As such, I don’t expect many of you to appreciate the subtle science and exact art that is public speaking. However, for the select few that possess the predisposition, I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. I can tell you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even put a stopper in death. Then again, some of you may have come here with abilities so formidable that you believe that you do not have to pay attention.

You are, allegedly, the best and brightest incoming class in this school’s history. So tell me, what is self-disclosure?... No? What about relational dialectics? You don’t know… What about diffusion of innovation? You don’t know… Clearly, being the best and the brightest isn’t everything.”

Needless to say, they were all rather terrified by this small antic, and relieved once “I broke character.” Surprisingly enough, only one out of my sixty or so students was able to point out that the first part of it was from Harry Potter. Overall, my classes were receptive of this and laughed at some of my remarks, and seemed to appreciate some of the nuggets of wisdom I dropped. For instance, they learned what POTUS stands for, which was nice.

Another part of my first day was having them read Tina Fey’s “Rules of Improvisation” borrowed directly from Bossypants. In my first two sections, we didn’t finish the excerpt. But, in my third section, we got really close to done with it. Then they began to lose interest so I cut it short and introduced the activity for the next day “Simple Task,” which I might change. Instead, I might have them do a small impromptu with a pair of random cards from my Cards Against Humanity deck. I’ll email them later tomorrow, see how that goes.

That is all for today. Class dismissed. 

[disismaiblog]

(via Mapping 16 Frank Lloyd Wright Houses For Sale Right Now - Curbed Maps - Curbed National)

[goworkonit]

One day I'll call one of these home...

[tipsforarchitectureschool]

FOUND THIS TODAY AND THOUGHT OF YOU GUYS!!

If you are going to do any kind of freelance work, or be a professional in general, it is important to brand yourself well on the web. So here is an article about personal branding that is worth a look. 

CHECK IT ——>  PERSONAL BRANDING

--

If you want to look at my personal website to get some ideas, here is one I made for myself in WIX.

markperrettdesigns.com

[goworkonit]

Super Original Questions

1. What is your favourite outfit?

2. What was the name of your first pet?

3. Do you have any pointless talents?

4. What’s your middle name?

5. How many siblings do you have?

6. If you could choose anywhere on Earth to live, where would you choose?

7. How many different countries have you been to?

8. What is/was your favourite subject at school?

9. What personality trait are you known for?

10. What will your dream home look like?

11. What vehicle do you want to own when you’re older?

12. Who is your best friend? Why are they your best friend?

13. What is one thing you have learned today?

14. What is the scariest thing you’ve ever done?

15. What accomplishment are you most proud of?

16.When you were a kid, what did you want to do when you grew up?

17. If someone asked you to give them a random piece of advice, what would you say?

18. Would you rather live in the country or the city?

19. If could try out any job for a day, what would you try?

20. What is the first thing you notice about people?

21. Do you think all people are equally valuable, or do you think some people in certain situations are more valuable than others (say, a frail old lady versus a doctor who could potentially save hundreds of lives)?

22.If you could only make one last wish, what would you wish for?

23. Do you think gay people choose to be gay? Do you think straight people choose to be straight?

24. Would you kill an innocent person if it meant saving a dozen other people?

25. What are your favourite websites?

26. What’s the biggest lie you’ve ever told?

27. What’s something you wish everyone knew about you?

28. What’s your favourite outdoor activity?

29.If someone were to make a movie about your life, who would play you?

30. Would you rather be hated or forgotten?

31. How tall are you?

32. What’s your signature dish that you would cook if friends were to come round?

33. Do you have a cherished childhood teddy bear?

34. If you were a superhero, what powers would you have?

35. What’s your favourite pizza topping?

36. What type of music do you like?

37. Would you rather be hurt by the one you trust the most or the one you love the most?

38. What colour socks are you wearing?

39. Have you ever fired a gun?

40. Type your name with your elbow…

41. Have you ever had a secret admirer?

42. Would you rather trade intelligence for looks or looks for intelligence?

43. If you could breed two animals together to defy the laws of nature, what new animal would you create?

44. If you could ask your future self one question, what would it be?

45. Who was the last person to knock/ring at your door?

46. How to you like your eggs in the morning?

47. Have you ever been on a space hopper?

48. What was the last song you danced to?

49. Have you ever accidentally injured anyone?

50. Are you a clean or messy person?

51. What’s your favourite movie quote?

52. What’s your favourite fast food chain?

53. Have you ever eaten anything really weird?

54. Are you good at keeping secrets?

55. Have you ever milked a cow?

56. Have you ever raised money for charity?

57. Who’s your favourite Harry Potter character?

58. Can you erect a tent?

59. Do you have any swimming badges?

60. What is more difficult for you; looking into someone’s eyes when you are telling someone how you feel, or looking into someone’s eyes when they are telling you how they feel?

61. Have you ever been hospitalised other than birth?

62. Do you keep a diary?

63. Do you have any unusual fears or phobias?

64. Do you prefer to wash in the mornings or evenings?

65. Do you collect anything?

66. What makes you nervous?

67. Are you ticklish? If so, where?

68. Have you ever started a rumour?

69. Have you ever walked in on anyone having sex?

70. Do you like your own name?

71. Have you ever thought about names for your future children?

72. Do you want to go backpacking around the world? If so, where?

[goworkonit]

On Graduating...

I tried, I really did try to avoid the contrived graduation post(s) and/or picture(s). But, I can't anymore. Yeah, it's been two days and maybe the hype is all gone. Yet, I feel the need to state some sort of public gratitude. So, here it is...

To my fellow classmates: I got to know some of you really well, and we've (potentially) shared some good times. Thank you for that. Unfortunately, I can't say that for everyone. To some extent I understand the impossible nature of that task, but it's something that I would probably do over if I had the chance. Regardless of what category I think you fall under, or what category you think you fall under. Thank you. You have contributed to the journey that was my undergraduate career, and for that I express my gratitude.

To my friends: You're all tacky and I hate you. You know who you are. Seriously though, thanks for putting up with me and my magniloquent lexicon. I don't mean to be a self-aggrandizing. But, the verbiage just emanates from within. Also, the fact that you haven't lost your marbles by my sometimes monosyllabic or incredibly nonspecific answers is amazing. You deserve a medal. Thank you.

To the Grad Students (Beth, Allison, Kay, Brianna, Brianna, Gregory, Kristen, Carly, Daniela, Lauren, Andrew, Andre, Alaina, et al., 2014): Thank you for bearing with me and not kicking me out of your offices whenever I showed up. Also, thank you for providing me a glimpse of what my life will be like in the next two years. Yes, it is slightly terrifying, and the uncertainty of it quasi-kills me. But, your work ethic and resolve is something that I aspire to. I look forward to working with those who are coming back next year, and am somewhat saddened by the fact that I will not be able to work with those who have now graduated.

To the San Diego State University School of Communication: An ever lasting sense of gratitude and indebtedness somewhat falls short of what I feel for you and what you have done for me. Just... Thank You.

To my family (who is not of FB, but no post of this nature would be complete without a family shout-out, OBVI!): Again, another group that had to bear with me, but they do it on the regular. So they get extra brownie points for that. Thank you for instilling the values and beliefs of pursuing an education. It honestly would have not been possible with out you all. From waking me up in elementary school, to waking me up my freshman year when I had a final essay due in a few hours that still needed to be completed. Muchas gracias; gracias totales.

Mom: You're right, no one can take my education away from me. Dad: I wish you could've been there. Mom and Dad: I hope that I'm doing this life thing right, and that I'm making you proud in the process.

TL;DR Thank you to everyone in my life for anything and everything you have ever done for me, whether conscious or inadvertently. You may have no clue but it is very likely that it had an impact on who I am, what I do, and how I do it. Finally, Congratulations to you all! It's been a wild ride, but the best is yet to come. It better be.

[goworkonit]

On Post-Graduating...

Hello all, it's been a while...

So, I just graduated. Yesterday. I don't feel particularly different. Except for the fact that I totally did not take any picture for myself, with my friends, acquaintances, and professors. Perhaps one of the most idiotic things I could've ever done. That might be one of my biggest regrets, not taking pictures for myself or on my camera/phone. I know my friends took some with me, and some of me. But there's nothing like having your own. 

[anthonybourdain]

Americans love Mexican food. We consume nachos, tacos, burritos, tortas, enchiladas, tamales and anything resembling Mexican in enormous quantities. We love Mexican beverages, happily knocking back huge amounts of tequila, mezcal and Mexican beer every year. We love Mexican people—as we sure...

[theodd1sout-deactivated20210101]

This will help you write good.

[groglog-deactivated20181203]

HAZEL G. LANQUACKER

[goworkonit]

To writing gooder!

[goworkonit]

Where the Streets Have No Name by U2, on Piano.

Few songs have this somewhat mystical and powerful element to them. I don't even think that's an accurate or appropriate way of describing this song. It truly has a je ne sais quoi. It's one of the few songs that I could put on loop and wouldn't mind hearing for a few times.

[goworkonit]

On (Billy Crystal's) 700 Sundays...

I think it was my senior year in high school the first time I heard about Billy Crystal's monologue 700 Sundays. That was probably four years ago. I don't remember how I heard about it, or where. But I did, and I looked into it. 

As I found out, through my research the title of the show was derived out of the fact that Crystal's father was incredibly busy, and the only day that he could spend with his children was on Sundays. Unfortunately, his father passed away due to a hard attack, when he was 15. So Crystal calculated the amount of Sunday's he got to spend with his father. His estimate, about 700, hence 700 Sundays.

This really fascinated me, because of my similar story. So, I looked even more into it and tried to see when and where he was performing his monologue. I became rather upset when I learned that his run was over. I also learned there's a book on it, and I thought I would order it at the time, but never did.

Four or so years have gone by since I first came across the play. And part of me still had a longing to see this performance.

Enter, Jay Leno's final appearance on the Tonight Show, February 6, 2014. I didn't watch it "live" because I feel asleep that night. Nevertheless, I did catch the YouTube rerun the next day. One of Leno's many guests that night was his long time friend, Billy Crystal. Generally, when people go on these shows it's because they're plugging something in. It's kind of sad, but it's a marketing scheme that we buy into, more often than not. Yet, I digress. I didn't mind this plug in because Billy Crystal was announcing that on April 19, 2014 at 9pm his one man show, 700 Sundays would be released on HBO. I immediately grabbed my phone and made a note in my calendar. I was not going to miss it again. 

So yesterday my phone promptly rings with an alarm reminding me to view Crystal's one man show. But, I couldn't watch the premiere because I was going out with friends. However, I checked the TV guide to see when it was going to be aired again and it aired a few times today, which meant that I would get to see it!

And that's what just happened, I finally got to watch 700 Sundays. HBO had a 12 hour marathon, so I waited in order to catch the whole thing. From beginning to end, and it was definitely worth the wait. It was cathartic, and to some extent I was living vicariously through what Crystal was saying. I started typing this as one of the reruns was beginning. But I hadn't felt like that in a while. I can't exactly describe the feelings, but I know they were there.

Part of me wanted to write this, as a tribute and homage to Billy Crystal, as a sort of Thank You. For a moment I even thought of actually writing to him, but what would I say? It's been a few hours since I saw the special, and I still don't know what I could say, except for: Thank You. I connect with your story. Thank you for relaying that narrative. And I guess on some level, you have inspired me. 

[goworkonit]

On asking someone out… (part three)

(Disclaimer: Bear in mind this is just from a guy’s perspective. More accurately, this is just my perspective. Any coincidences, resemblance, or resonance might attests to the similarity of the human experience. However, I am only expressing and vouching for my own.)

Why are we afraid when we ask someone out?

We're afraid because we feel like we're putting ourselves on the line. Not "ourselves" in the physical way, but ourselves in the more intangible and abstract way. To make this more clear, you are putting that part of you that no one else sees, out on the line. You are being completely open, therefore completely vulnerable.

And anything that occurs, good or bad, will be taken as a direct association to ourselves, our character, our being, etc. Especially if the result is negative, we might take that as a direct transgression of our character/being/persona. This will start to slightly, but surely, to chip away at your confidence.

More importantly you'll wonder why they said no to you. After all, aren't you supposed to be awesome and amazing? A true catch? The whole package, with a great package? Basically, the greatest thing since sliced bread and jello, or at least what everyone keeps telling you. (Then again, it might just be your aunt Rhonda who says that; you only see her once every two years, at best.)

Depending on your level of interest, or perceived self-investment, towards the other person you might experience different things. If you were completely and totally into them (e.g. really interested) you will most likely experience some dissonance that you'll try to ameliorate. Since you might have thought that the feelings were mutual and by them saying "no" the plan has been thwarted. So you'll need to make sense out of that. 

There is also the possibility of you not really caring, because you didn't think you were too into them anyways (e.g. interested but not too much). So, when they turn you down, you won't feel too jarred. And you'll be able to carry on, with relative ease.

However, there is a slight possibility that you won't feel like any of the aforementioned scenarios. Maybe you won't feel anything at all because your thought process couldn't even conjure the possibility of a rejection or non-compliance.

Regardless of what scenario unfolds, this will probably remain constant. At that point you won't really know what to do, what to say, or how to act. So your mind will scramble and try to conjure something up because at that moment the interaction is still alive and something needs to be said in order for that exchange to end. Silence could work, but not necessarily. The best thing to do, is to say something. But don't ask me what that is, because I'm still trying to figure it out.

Despite it all, the anguish, dissonance, emotional distress, awkwardness, etc. You will be able to look back at what happened, what you did, and how you acted. This will help you realize what to do better, or what not to do. To some extent you may even look upon that memory with some fondness. And maybe, just maybe. You'll be happy that things unfolded the way they did.

[goworkonit]

On asking someone out… (part two)

(Disclaimer: Bear in mind this is just from a guy’s perspective. More accurately, this is just my perspective. Any coincidences, resemblance, or resonance might attests to the similarity of the human experience. However, I am only expressing and vouching for my own.)

[previous post of this series here]

Why can't asking someone out be easy? 

As of right now the answers I might be able to conjure are mere speculation at best. Regardless, here's what I theorize...

Asking someone out is not "easy" because:

1) we don't do a lot of it

I mean seriously, if this were something we did regularly or frequently, it wouldn't be such a big deal. To some extent we would become desensitized. And as a consequence the fear of [insert whatever it is that you're afraid of] would be lost. Uncertainty of the unknown, also doesn't help. Yes, on some level it would also devoid the "specialness" of the act. But then again, why is this act "special" to begin with?

2) no one really teaches you how to do it

Think about it. When did someone ever sit down and tell you: "This is how dating works" or "This is how you ask someone out" and proceeded to spell out the methodology of courtship, as well as the nuances of how it works.

If you're a human, the likelihood of this ever happening is, wait for it.... Never. You probably learned it all from TV, Films, Books, or Narratives. This last one is perhaps the most dominant one. [to some extent TV, Film, and Books are a form of narrative, but let's leave the technicalities out of this for now].

The type of narrative I'm talking about is the kind that is told by friends. During late night conversations, hour long meals, or cross country drives, to name a few. These are the conversations that are somewhat soul bearing, where you learn so much about the other person that you begin to wonder, and understand how it is that their persona came to be. 

Yet, these conversations provide a limited amount of information, at best, on how to ask someone out. 

3) previous experiences set precedent and carry over

If you have a bad or negative experience asking someone out, you might become even more apprehensive to do it. This doesn't necessarily mean that you will use that one negative experience as a yardstick for future ones. Some folks will, and that's what I'm aiming for. If you have a bad experience you will become less likely to do so because on some level you might feel like they denied you. But that my friends is the topic for tomorrow...

[goworkonit]

Don't mind the image, focus on the music. Perhaps one of my favorite pieces of music, such genius, such flow, such ease and dexterity. 

This is also one of the pieces of music that I work to while writing papers... 

Why can't musicians create music like this anymore?

[badndngirl]

“Ugh, you’re so adorable. I want to be friends with you,” I whisper as I like your posts and never speak to you.

[goworkonit]

Quasi-Parasocial Interactions

[goworkonit]

On Physical Attractiveness... (part five)

Why does "Social Elevation/Transfer of Status" matter?

This is really important, in my opinion, because it might truly shape the perception of yourself as you grow up. 

As the idea of being attractive is reinforced throughout your life, you'll begin to act and project that attractiveness. However, if you're on the other side, which many of us might be. You were never explicitly told that you were attractive. Hell, there might even be a chance that you were never told that you're attractive, which in turns leads you to act accordingly (e.g. you don't know how to act attractive, or you don't know how to convey attractiveness).

What I mean by this is, since you don't associate yourself with "being attractive" you don't know how to "act attractive". And there is a really good chance, that if you don't think you're attractive, your social circle might not deem themselves as "attractive." And since much of our behavior is learned, this creates a self-fulfilling prophecy, or a loop. You don't "think" you're attractive because you don't associate with "attractive" people. And since you don't associate with attractive people, you never learn how to act like someone who is attractive. 

When this is the case, you begin to find other things that you do know how to do (i.e. things that you're good at) and start integrating those as part of your identity. I am by no means saying that attractive people only have that going for them. They don't, but it is a part of who they are and can work it whenever they need to. 

In the theoretical world this might be deemed "the looking glass self" you see in yourself what others see in you. But you can only see it, and believe it, if and when someone brings it up. Otherwise it might go unnoticed. So to those who say that high school doesn't matter or doesn't affect you: you're kind of wrong.

[goworkonit]

On Physical Attractiveness... (part four)

But what if I don't have amazing genes, aka a hot bod? Does this mean I'm SOL?!

It's okay not everyone has amazing genes. But the fact that you're alive proves that you have good genes at least, so give yourself (and your parents) a hand for that. And no, not having super star genes doesn't necessarily mean you're SOL. You might still have a chance of getting a ticket for the third round of the genetic lottery.

Here's how it could happen

2) "Social Elevation" or "Transfer of Status"[let it be known that I might have coined that term. If that is the case. You saw it here first.]

If you are deemed or perceived attractive or interesting by one of your peers, and they have a high influence/status amongst the group. Part of that status will be passed on to you, and now other members of the group will begin to deem you as attractive or worthy of their attention. In a more tangible way, think of all the "cool kids" in High School. They were generally the ones that were kind of attractive, or at least everyone knew/thought they were. More importantly, if they were to take some newbie under their wing, that newbie's stock would skyrocket. Why? Because someone with perceived status found them appealing, and some of that status is "transferred" on to you, until you develop status of your own. 

Tomorrow, will [probably] be the last portion of this series, in which we'll discuss how this "Social Elevation" or "Transfer of Status" pertains to the overall scheme of things.