"I don't want to go to school" follow-up

So my last post was about how much I was loathing my Tuesday afternoon class. Well, I think I'm psychic because there was certainly plenty of reason for me to loath that class. Here's the story:
I must begin with a little background information. The class is called Performance Theory. It's all about nonverbal communication (among other things) and how our actions, or performances, communicate. This class was not my first choice. The class I wanted to be in filled too fast, and so I was stuck taking this class. Each week we get a writing prompt based on the readings for the following week. They are due every Friday by 3pm and are between 2 and 3 pages. Really, it's an easy assignment. If you read, which is essential in higher education, then you can answer the essay question easily, and 2-3 pages is a breeze for me now. So, part of class is critiquing each others essays. We email them to the entire class, and are responsible for reading them and coming up with comments/questions. The professor always starts by asking you a specific question about your essay, so your first inclination is to defend your writing.
I hate this kind of thing. I think it's pointless and I don't see what it's teaching me, cause here is what inevitably happens. The teacher asks a question, you answer it, and then everyone starts to argue about what you said. Not productive auguring, just prideful, know-it-all arguing. Well, that is exactly what happened to me last Tuesday.

So my turn comes to talk about my essay. Might I add that I am the LAST one to go, and we only have 2 or 3 minutes till class is out. So, the professor asks me a question. Honestly, I don't really remember what it was, but I remember my answer. I told him that a big part of me disagreed that performance was communication. I said that in order for any action to be considered communication, it has to be trying to send a message. I told him that I didn't feel like all of our everyday, mundane behaviors were intended to send a message, so I didn't think they were communication.

You would have thought I opened the gates of hell.

Not only did the professor question me, which he is allowed to do cause he's the professor, I got 11 looks for the other class members that all distinctly said "you're crazy and dumb". After the professor asked me a question (and he was quite respectful), before I had any chance to answer him, all 11 class members started talking to me at once, telling me how wrong I was. "what about such and such situation", "what about behaviors that become habit and routine," "what about rituals". I had absolutely no chance to say anything. It was like being questioned by a prosecutor in court. After the professor quieted everyone down, I had a small chance to answer back, but at this point I was so flabbergasted that I talked all over myself. Of course, my inability to form a complete thought at this time only made it worse, and when I finished my mumbling, everyone started in again. At this point I was fed up. So I held up my hands in surrender and said,well, maybe it was closer to shouting "Look, that is just my opinion, I'm not saying whether it is right or wrong, I'm just saying that that is how I define communication...sending a message. Crucify me if you want to, but at least let me speak." Now, I don't say much in this class to begin with. I have never taken a class in this discipline before, so I feel way out of my element. It's really touchy feeley and, quite frankly, it's annoying to listen to. So, after three weeks of class, not only was the first thing I said completely ludicrous in some peoples eyes, but the second thing I said was quite defensive and "in your face." I knew I was destined to hate that class.

So...you think that after a week they have forgotten me?

I don't want to go to school today. Like, really really really don't want to go. It's supposed to rain buckets all day, and the thought of walking all over campus with it and listening to the "know it alls" in my class is nauseating. And because it is supposed to be rainy all day, I had to cancel my after school date with my best friend, which makes me sad. And also because it is supposed to be rainy all day, I just want to sit in my recliner with my new book and read. but alas, to school I must go. Sigh. The one redeeming factor would be if the radio plays some really good music on the way there and I can rock out in my car. Let's pray for that.

Video of our Nephew

It isn't often that I blog. Apparently, motivation and inspiration don't strike nearly as often with me as they do with Karen. That said, I got movtivated and a bit inspired and put together a video of our nephew, Caleb's baby dedication. Anyway, here it is. I hope you enjoy it.



--Dave

new kitchen toys

While most men get excited about their new gadgets or tech toys, I get excited about new kitchen stuff. For Christmas this year, I got a new fondue cookbook that I had been wanting for a while, and last week Dave and I made an impromptu fondue feast. We didn't have all the necessary stuff to make it as good as we would have hoped, but next time we know exactly what to get from the grocery store ahead of time.

I also got a wonderful new grill pan from my siblings for Christmas, too. I see people on The Food Network use similar things all the time, so, of course, I had to have one too. Check out the grill marks on my oh-so-perfect turkey burgers.

So...who wants to come over for dinner?!?!?