Spreading The Waffley Wealth

Not only do I write (about waffles) but I also spread my waffley wealth of information as comments for peers and their writing. I will start by analyzing things on a case by case basis.

My first comment on Ken’s Firmware & Hardware paper is simply a note of praise and encouragement. I like Ken and Ken is a good guy. Sometimes people need to just be told they’re doing a good job. I’m going to miss him if he drops the class. I make comments of like these, “NICE JOB MAN (:” every now and then on other papers. I feel like this kind of characterizes my comments (but of course still serves a purpose).

My next comment directly addresses his thesis. Now that I think of it, I probably could have addressed the audience being addressed in relation to genre, but I focused more on the core of the thesis, as it was more of a quagmire question than a thesis. I provided a suggestion, which I like to do in the cases of quagmire, kind of like when someone’s searching for the word, and you can’t help but say “blah?” wondering if it’s the word they’re looking for. I think it’s helpful given the situation.

My third comment was simply a point towards grammar. Even though Ken’s paper was only a draft, I occasionally made grammar edits that popped up to me, that the writer may or may not have noticed.. He might just revise the whole paragraph and it wouldn’t matter (but I doubt it) or it will make it easier to find when proof reading. I think these grammar things are a great thing to make note of!

I’m a very aloof commenter. I try not to take things too seriously as I read. That’s not to say I make light of the job I have as a reviewer, but I try to comment like I would if I were talking to a friend who had just shown me the paper in real life. Throw in an occasional joke with some random praise to balance out the hardcore criticism you know?

Online Church

Well, it's been a while since I've been to church. DADADADA ONLINE CHURCH TO THE RESCUE.  http://www.online-church.org/ BAM check it out. Save you soul.

Supposedly they stream service every Saturday at a regular time. This is very similar to the TV Church medium that has been widely successful in compliment or even in supplement to traditional brink and mortar churches. This method has the same limitations has the TV Church medium. It can only engadge two of the senses. You don't necissarily know the person standing to your left or right, front or back. There isn't the same level of ritualistic connection, but it is a connection nonetheless.

However the services provided extend beyond regular streaming. The site also include static videos on important topics that the pastor believes should be addressed in extra important to his regular sermons. There are forums for disscussion: http://www.online-church.org/forum/. I like this element, which I think helps create a sense of community over the internet. While the online participant misses out on facial expressions, it still allows for a more dynamic two way system of interaction with the church.

http://www.online-church.org/tithes-a-offerings The online-church also is very proactive when it comes to accepting donations, making this link prominent in several locations on the left nav bar. Don't worry about not being able to tithe. Online-church.org has you covered.

Favorite Waffles

Ever notice this cute little guy up there?

He's called a "favicon."

Do you want one like him? Of course you do.

Step one. Log into Google Blogger
Step two. Go to the "design" dashboard
Step three. Go to the "layout" tab.
Step four. Locate a the "favicon" module.
Step five. Click edit.
Step six. Follow directions.

Have fun!

Love waffles... I mean blogging! Yeah... blogging...

Meta-blogging! Fun phrase, no? Annnyywaayy moving on...

Blogging, to me, has been a double edged sword. I think it draws out more of who I actually am as a writer, in contrast to other styles, where my speech is more reserved and refined. In blogging, often, I let my manic side take over naturally.

Often I find myself writing emails in this fashion... even talking in an "off-the-cuff" style that is atypical for me. While I find this to be helpful at times, other times I find myself wondering whether or not, this blog style of writing could be detrimental to my long-term writing skills. Much in the same way Ebonics creates shortcuts that create communication barriers with stereotypes, blogging accepts a less ridged forum that may be seen by others as too informal and simply silly.

I've never been so divided on a writing style. To be honest, I don't think I've ever really formed much of an opinion on ANY writing styles... so I am certainly happy I tried this in any case.

Personally, blogging has helped my writing. After all you know what they say, "Write drunk, edit sober." Writing blogs has helped me be more creative, even without creative substances.... which is DEFINITELY a good thing.

It should also be noted, as alluded to before in my third paragraph... the skills garnered from blogging extend beyond the writing sphere into speech. Blogging cultivates an area of the mind built off of whim and impulses. This makes, in my mind, blogging a dangerous writing tool... as it has the ability to change not only the writing of a character, but also the character of an individual.

Waffles waffles waffley waffles. Waffles in syrup, waffles in butter, dear waffle waffle I will always be your lover!

Waffles are Cute

So basically, I love peer reviews. Why? Because I love to talk. I'm a pretty talkative person and I think everyone deserves to have the blessing of hearing my opinions. Also, occasionally I like listening to the opinions of others, but only if they are given in a humble manner. I expect all of my peers to kneel over to my superior writing finesse. Did I mention I have bipolar awesomeness? Most people call it bipolar disorder... at least the DSMV-IV does. lolololol. Not really... I don't actually have that. I just enjoy acting manic.

Back to the peer review thing... I like my peers. They're pretty sexy. Especially when we review together. My favorite part is making people go off tangent. Because we have a small group, this is easier to do. After we've covered the necessities of the discussion about our papers, I like to talk about peoples personal lives. I find people fascinating... because people are fascinating. Seriously. You're pretty self centered if you don't think the major point of a peer review is learning about someone else. Who cares about the paper? Honestly. The paper... is just that. A piece of paper. The more interesting piece is the piece of work sitting in front of you, the person.

Now I know many of you may not agree... this is probably too great a concept to grasp.. that someone ELSE might actually be of interest.

I think in all aspects of interaction we all need to take a step back and appreciate what little actions allow in the view of a greater image of a person.


I figure I should talk about it about the actual peer review last week to avoid losing points or something. Ummm Thorton is an excellent peer reviewer... (if you're reading this Thorton pay attention! ILY). Thorton's reviews to me at least, come off as chill and laid back.... and THAT'S A GOOD THING! Thorton has the talent of letting you know what's up without being an asshole. And Ken... those Pockies..... I want some more. They were so good. I have me eating them as my profile picture on Facebook. NOM NOMONOM. That being said, your review was good as well. You're an interesting person. I want to learn more about you.


I really like baby kittens. They're cute.

So are waffles.

Goodnight.

Forget the Batter, Remember the Waffles

Please take me by the hand
It's so cold out tonight
I'll put blankets on the bed
I won't turn out the light
Just don't forget to think about me
And I won't forget you
I'll write you once a week she said
-Going Away to College, Blink 182

 I hope all of you have at LEAST heard this song. It's pretty awesome. Speaking of awesome, so is college.

As you may or may not recall, I am a community college transfer student. For the past two years I have been living in a world of semi-independence. Not entirely "out of the house," but certainly not entirely in it. I've already done many of the passing rights of a college student, but I am starting to learn just how more this is to learn.

RIGHT now, I'm sitting in our living room. It's pretty big for a dorm room (I live in Miltimore now). One guy, an RA is sitting across for me singing "I've got a feeling that I never knew I had before..." Another is sitting on the couch, texting, also singing. Another is sitting holding a girl. The final one is playing Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3.


I just took a break... and two more girls have shown up.

... And since someone mentioned having a point

... It's time to tie this all in.

I already have a lot of hard experience learning about independence. Self-discipline is invaluable. Sometimes it's not easy to make the right decision. To party or finish an English Blog? And there are many tougher choices out there. Living three hours away from home, completely separated from your family, for the first time, is different... even difficult.

It's a time to develop new habits, good habits. A time not to look back.
But at the same time remember the good things about where you came from.
"I'll write you once a week she said."

I will always remember the waffles I use to make.... in that yellow bowl. That beautiful yellow bowl.

The Great Waffle

Where do you stand on the social ladder? Who is above you, who is below you, and why? What characteristics gives someone status, and invisible podium on which to stand? Strength, wit, or charm... perhaps a combination? 


If you look at the extremes... it's easier to tell. A drug addict leashed to a cocaine addiction traveling down the road of destitute poverty is obviously lower in social status than say... Mark Zuckerburg. But, when you get closer to the lines, things become blurred. Where does an NFL tightend line up to a NASA engineer? I don't think you can really compare the two. The tightend has qualities that the engineer couldn't dream to posses in his lifetime and visa versa. 


Things get even more complicated when you start talking about groups like say... a class room.


These are all people here for the same thing, to study and learn. We all, however, come with different experiences and mindsets. Some of us are alpha personalities, some of us are beta's, and others are a mix. Some of us have higher IQs than others. Some of us do sports others do video games. Some are big others are little.


So who gets the big voice? And who remains silent? Is anyone outcast and is that right? There's never an official announcement of who deserves all respect and who should be ignored. These are the dynamics of social creatures. We mix a bunch of variables from physical strength to moral sets to determine where we stand. Like the wolfs, like the chimps, we too have stratified our system. Perhaps all were NOT meant to be equal...


No one, absolutely no one, is above the Great Waffle.