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Spider Monkey!

Page history last edited by Elizabeth Sellers 13 years, 4 months ago

Livin' on a Leg

 

Elizabeth Sellers

 

 

 


 

 

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INTRODUCTION 

 

My name is Elizabeth Sellers. 

 

I am a badass and a sweetheart, at least that's what a psychic told me once-- and I believe him.

 

I own my own business, East of Eden Enterprises (currently constructing a new website since changing my domain name last year) and I specialize in the prodution and promotion of special events, including concerts, conventions, club nights, art and fashion shows as well as private parties like weddings and theme parties.  I also do a lot of freelance writing in a technical and expository capacity.  I write articles for several online and local publications and I also write contracts, grants, proposals and business plans. I am currently finishing my Bachelor's Degree in Professional and Technical Writing at the University of South Florida.

 

In addition to my love of music, my hobbies include gourmet cooking, wine tasting, world travel and adventure in general. I've been to several other countries, including FranceEngland and several tropical islands.  I've also visited 42 of the United States and gone on two Outward Bound wilderness expeditions, and I have a working list of places that I want to visit, including upcoming trips to the Caribbean in October, New Orleans in November, Chicago in December and Sedona, Arizona in January.  I'm actually toying with the idea of making this blog my "travel research journal".... if that works with the coursework... I'll know more as a little time goes by, I guess.  Other than travel and gourmet cooking, I like to spend the rest of my leisure time reading, relaxing, meditating, taking in the arts and trying to be as philanthropic as possible in my career and my everyday life. 

 

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DOWNTOWN RESIDENTS' CIVIC ASSOCIATION

 

One of my philanthropic endeavors includes my work with the Downtown Residents' Civic Association, a local organization that represents the interests of the residents in downtown Saint Petersburg.

 

As a student at the University of South Florida, you are probably already pleasantly aware of the many benefits of living (or spending time) in downtown Saint Petersburg.  Our wonderful arts district offers museums and galleries that rival those in larger cities, and our restaurants, bars and waterfront events are just a few of the things that make downtown living unique and exciting.

 

These great benefits, however, are accompanied by certain challenges.  Economic development, available jobs, property crime, vagrancy, parking, zoning, utility rates, noise pollution and environmental issues are just a few of the things that concern city residents and visitors from surrounding areas.

 

The Downtown Residents' Civic Association (DRCA) was formed in 2006 to represent the interests of all residents in Saint Pete's downtown district and it currently has more than 1,500 members from 735 homes in the downtown core.  It has been a leading voice in several meaningful, positive campaigns and this page is designed to explore these issues.

 

Elizabeth Sellers and Heidi MacLean are working with the DRCA to help with the annual report, newsletter, website and expansion projects, so this wiki will also serve as a forum for ideas and working edits of these projects.  The DRCA is active with the Saint Petersburg city council and police force, and it engages in consistent and meaningful dialogue with our mayor and local representatives.

 

One project we are working on at present is the standardization of the city's parking meters, which will hopefully result in three-hour meters in ALL downtown locations with uniform hours ( Monday thru Friday 8am-6pm).  Most of us have experienced the nuissance of getting a parking ticket while enjoying a gelato or visiting our favorite restaurant, so we are working to make the parking downtown cheaper and more user-friendly.

 

The DRCA is also working on a promotional program that would give its members special discounts and VIP treatment at our most popular downtown retailers, restaurants and museums.  While this project is still in its early stages, the goal is to have it up and running within the next year.

 

DRCA ANNUAL REPORT - FIRST EDIT

 

==============================================================

 

Wikis, Emergence and Convergence (a rudimentary metaphor)

 

I've always been aware of the idea of emergence, even before I had a name for it; I've seen this theme recur many times and places in my life.  I think we've all heard the saying "From chaos comes order."  This is what I think of when contemplating emergence.  A great everyday (although rudimentary) example of the "order from chaos" theory happenned to me just recently.  I was listening to music with a friend; I have 692 songs on my iPhone and I set it to "random play".  After a few different songs, "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson came on.  Then "Thriller"... then "Smooth Criminal"... then three more Michael Jackson songs! I went over and checked to make sure that the "random" setting was on, and lo and behold, it was.  After the sixth M.J. tune, it played other songs by different artists for the rest of the night. 

 

What's even funnier is this: as I've been sitting here writing this, I Googled "random play" to see if there is any kind of science or formula behind it, only to find out that "random play" has a slang meaning that I was totally unaware of! It can be hard to keep up with new terminology sometimes.  I'm glad I haven't been running around talking about how much I love random play on my iPhone...

 

I realize that emergence is a different concept than the chaos theory, but the correlation and similarities are interesting to me.

 

From the wikipedia article on "emergence," I followed several interesting links, inlcuding ones that about synergy and convergence.  All of these concepts are especially appealling to me right now because I am taking Literary Criticism and these concepts are relevant to the many theories of criticism, as well as the body of works that "is" "the canon".  I put the word "is" in quotation marks because the canon seems to be changing as technology and connectivity force it to, and as students in an andragogical setting demand the opportunity to learn outside of the box.  At one time, the canon was created by a group of stodgy old professors who all knew each other and encouraged universities to use their own works of literature as teaching instruments.  But I believe that a new canon is beginning to emerge, one that includes cult classics and works by women and minorities.  This is what interests me about the wiki of one of my classmates, M. O'Neill:

 

"This wiki also includes a scholarly debate concerning one of the fundamental issues in literary studies, namely the system of organization we currently call “the canon”. I am exploring the discourse surrounding the canon for a variety of purposes, to wit:

 

1)   A multifaceted understanding of the canon will assist me in making thoughtful, informed decisions in the classroom, particularly in crafting reading lists for students.

2)   As an advanced lit scholar, I am expected to contribute to the ongoing discourse with fresh insight, or at least, perspective. Since the canon is the major organizational system in my field, it behooves me to engage in rigorous study of its origins, its practices, and what its future may entail.

3)   Literary anthologies, which are usually the primary texts of English classes, maintain a relationship with the canon that influences what texts are readily available to people and what texts are not. I need to develop an understanding of the canon which includes its practical implications, as well as its theoretical and aesthetic implications.

4)   In addition to increasing my ability to discuss and draw conclusions about the canon, my aim also involves contextualizing the canon in terms of the kind of works I consider vital to understanding the world as we now know it: resistance/protest literature of the 20th century.  

 

While I hope to draw some conclusions about the canon, I see my study of it as a lifelong pursuit. I believe that discussing literature from a theoretical or critical standpoint need not be the sole domain of critics and scholars. I also question the wall between high art and pop culture and view that boundary as highly permeable. Yes, it’s an issue of aesthetics. But I also think it’s an issue of access. So, this exploration of the literary canon will pool together a variety of points-of-view from a variety of sources. To access the canonical debacle, which doubles as my ENC 6319 Project, click here."

 

I will be reading this fellow classmate's links over the next few weeks...

 

 

One thing I've realized after all of this reading and linking is that I like it much better when links open in a new window.  That way, I can "fall down the rabbit hole" and still jump back to the original Wiki without too much effort.

 

================================================================

 

8/31/2010

M.R.I. = Mothership Retention Instrument (?)

 

Seriously, though.  I got an MRI on my (broken? sprained?) ankle this morning, and I had no idea what to expect.  I have broken only one bone (my nose- not technically a bone- another fun story) but I've never needed anything beyond an x-ray.

Imagine my surprise when the technician offered me a pillow, a blanket and put earplugs in my ears.  I thought this was like a glorified x-ray, what's with all the props?  Magnetic Resonance Imaging, right? Magnets sound harmless enough... And they are, I suppose.  But they're certainly not quiet.

When she walked out, the room got very quiet and there was a  slight brush of air as the machine whooshed on.  Then clicking, clanking, a strange light from far inside the cavernous machine.  It pulled me closer, slowly, with a low humming that was slightly unnerving, and once my lower half was in the small tube, the real noise started.  Looking up, I saw a small digital clock that would count down, each time the little pieces inside were settling. Then the machine would fire up like a loud steam engine and I got this funny tingling sensation in my legs-- I swear I could feel those magnets!

And the clock would countdown- first from 6 minues.  Then more noise from inside the machine, more shifting and clicking, and a new clock would appear. Sometimes it was 3 minutes, sometimes 2, sometimes 6.  And I found myself in the peculiar situation of feeling afraid. As more and more time passed, an unusual fear crept in.

I'm not claustrophobic and I don't get squeamish at the sight of blood.  Horror movies don't give me nightmares and I consider myself to be something of a "badass" (and a sweetheart- that's what a psychic told me once, that I'm a badass and a sweetheart).  But as time passed- as I laid there alone with the loud machine, I started to think about the people that were there getting MRIs for cancer (the MRI/PET scan center happenned to be attached to a cancer treatment center), and I started to imagine what they must feel like.  The fear, the anxiety, the prayers.  This is definitely a room where many people before me have prayed to the God of their choice and begged for healing.  And this morning I was no different from them, as I laid there and prayed for good news. Please God, no broken bones. Please God, no surgery.  Thank you God, for all the blessings in my life.

And then I started to REALLY freak out- just left alone there with my thoughts and the loud noises- and I started thinking, "What if this is something serious? What if that's why my foot won't get better? What if they find something weird that I can't afford to fix? What if I need surgery?"  And as I started to totally freak out, I in turn tried to calm myself by counting sheep and doing some deep breathing.  I tried to imagine something besides my foot, and all of a sudden it dawned on me...

this machine sounds like an alien spaceship.  If I was abducted and examined by the greys or the blues, this is exactly what I would imagine it being like.  Alone, in a cold dark room, being scanned by an uncomfortable machine, with nothing but the strange noises and my own thoughts.  And my imagination started to run away from me, as I pictured skinny little ETs on the other side of the glass.  I envisioned the lights of the machine being the lights of the ship, and

Then, a touch on my shoulder and I jerked awake from my daydream, half expecting to see an alien there!  But instead, the technician- holding my shoe and smiling.  I got up, checked out, gave them $400 (ouch) and told them all to have a fantastic day.

And that was my MRI experience this morning.

 

 

================================================================

 

HEALTHCARE IN AMERICA

 

I enjoyed Kelsey Hastings' page, "A Political Commentary", about the American health care system.

 

I am a classic example of a "working class" American (a small business owner and independent contractor) who makes "too much money" to receive government assistance like Medicaid, but too little money to afford cash health care or purchase individual health insurance (those 'Humana for One' plans area OK but I've had one before and with all of the red tape, I ended up paying almost as much out of pocket as I would've if I just saved up the $200/month and paid cash, so I'm a little skeptical of the true value of these plans...). 

 

Three months ago I had 3 jobs, $14,000 in the bank and $0 in debt with 11 classes left until completing my Bachelor's Degree.  I've never even taken student loans; I've paid cash for my entire college education.  Now because of an injury, I am making 30% of my income; it's difficult to get around town and do things for myself (not to mention the emotional toll that accompanies a total loss of social life and mobility). The bank account is slowly shrinking and if I need a surgery, it will break me financially.  I also took my first student loan this semester in anticipation of what's to come.  There is absolutely NO solution for Americans like me. 

 

The funny thing is: I'm actually one of the LUCKY uninsured people, because I have a modest savings to draw off of, no debt, and a live-in boyfriend who can help with my expenses right now.  But I can't get unemployment or worker's comp because my injury occurred at home. I can't get welfare because I don't "meet the qualifications" (one of the eligibility factors is having a child in the home for whom support is not received, AKA a child with a deadbeat dad, or a child whose paternity is unknown).  I don't even qualify for food stamps because I am a college student.  However, if I dropped out of college, stopped working and got pregnant, all of my medical expenses would be paid for by the government.  I am not saying this to be dramatic; these are the actual words that came from the mouth of one of the representatives for the Department of Children and Family Services here in Saint Petersburg.

 

Does anyone else see a problem with this system?  Am I being overly sensitive by feeling cheated, wronged, and punished for working hard and paying my own way?  The whole healthcare situation in America makes me ill. Literally, sick to stomach and angry to the point of tearful rage.  I feel cheated by my government, my country and its leaders.  And I've even considered moving back to Canada (I was born and lived there until I was 3) just for the health care. 

 

But when it's all said and done, I'm a fighter and I have resources.  I'll be fine in the end, whereas so many Americans get too sick to push through or go too far in debt to recover.  They have to "choose which finger to reattach" (metaphorically and literally, as did the man in Michael Moore's film "Sicko").

 

But to end on a high note, here is a little health care Utopia to think of: 

 

 

=================================================================

 

8/31/2010 - I decided after the first class that I was long overdue to start a new blog, so I've used the above narrative as my first post!

 

http://eastofedenesellers.blogspot.com/

 

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A METAPHOR FOR BUSINESS ETHICS: Theory -vs- Reality

 

 

Maybe Rodney Dangerfield is my long lost, illegitimate father... 

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A BRIEF LOOK AT PROSTITUTION, FEMINISM AND HIGH HEELS

 

"Pretty Women" (AKA The Richard Gere Fan Club) - August 31st Group Work

 

"People's reactions to opera the first time they see it is very dramatic; they either love it or they hate it. If they love it, they will always love it. If they don't, they may learn to appreciate it, but it will never become part of their soul."

-Richard Gere, playing Edward Lewis in Pretty Woman

 

Why is prostitution illegal?   What exactly IS prostitution?  Merriam-Webster defines it as "the act of engaging in promiscuous sexual behavior especially for money."  Then the dictionary goes on to define "money" as "something generally accepted as a medium of exchange, a measure of value, or a means of payment".  Well that's pretty vague.  If a man buys a woman dinner, and takes her shopping, and gives her "spending money", and she sleeps with him, is she a prostitute?  If Richard Gere & Julia Roberts get married at the end of the movie, and she becomes his wife, but he still pays her bills and gives her money, is she still a prostitute?  And even if the answer to these questions is "yes", is it even relevant to the legality of prostitution?  

 

Are prostitutes feminists, or are they the complete opposite?  What exactly is feminism, and how has it changed over the years?

 

Moving on from the prostitution angle and get on to feminism, gender roles and rights.  Merriam-Webster defines feminism as "the theory of political, economic and social equality of the sexes; organized activity on behalf of women's rights and interests."  One of my personal interests happens to be shoes, and I am especially fond of high heels, but I have been told by more than one self-proclaimed feminist that I am "betraying my sisterhood" or something like that.  I believe quite the oposite: that I am asserting my right as a woman to wear fantastic shoes. 

 

As Arielle Abeyta states in her essay For the Love of Shoes, "Shoes are no longer something one simply wears on their feet, but a passion, a hobby, one's personal statement, a source of authority, sexual independence and joy. They're a constant obsession in pop culture, endlessly talked about and fetishized in television, movies, song lyrics, and seem to be worn without fail by glamorous celebrities no matter the occasion. The most notorious of the shoe loving pop culture media is of the smash HBO series Sex in the City, in which shoes are one it's main themes."

 

I found this great article online about high heels and feminism. Here's just one part of it that really stuck with me given that I am also facing a brave new world of flat shoes:

 

ROSIE BOYCOTT: EMPOWER

High heels 

Shoes become power

 

"I gave up wearing high heels five-and-a-half years ago — not out of choice but because a car accident wrecked my ankle to such an extent that heels became impossible.

 

I well remember trying to struggle into a pair of blue, lacy, Emma Hope high heels and almost weeping when I found my newly configured right foot wasn’t going to accommodate itself inside this elegant and much-loved pair of shoes.

 

I cast my eyes round my wardrobe — high heels in all colours and styles were neatly arranged in rows along the bottom, as well as from specially made containers which hung inside the doors.

 

I started the slow process of giving them all away, but for reasons of pure sentiment I still have the Emma Hope shoes — residing like forlorn children next to my ‘new’ shoes, all of them sensible and flat.

I miss being able to wear high heels, in much the same way as I would miss being able to have my hair streaked blonder and my nails manicured.

 

Heels are undeniably feminine, and the extra height — I’m 5ft 6in, so a three or four-inch heel took me to eye level with most of my male colleagues — brings a certain authority with it.

They are also undeniably sexy, giving shape and tension to calf muscles, allowing a woman to cross her legs and casually, but provocatively, to swing her shoe gently from her dangling foot.

 

I’ve watched men’s eyes transfixed on such a sight, at times to such an extent that they lose track of the conversation going on around them.

It’s as though they’re looking at a woman in her underwear, rather than at a high-powered executive, who is just — well — crossing her legs and swinging her shoes.

 

Shoes become power in those moments — power to distract, disarm and seduce. A man lost in momentary lust is liable to agree to anything from a raise to a promotion.

 

In the Seventies, feminists were always derided for wearing boiler suits and boots — which I think meant wearing any sort of footwear that involved a sturdy sole and laces.

 

I was never that sort of feminist — the highest pair of heels I ever bought, a pair of bright green Yves Saint Laurent sandals (with 5in heels), was in 1972. I remember buying them with a sense of defiance.

I wore them with pride, not to hide my feminist politics, but to say: ‘I’m also a female who likes men and who knows that shoes like this are sexy.’ I also wore mini skirts, tight jeans and cropped T-shirts, but nothing worked as well for my sense of sexuality and femininity as heels.

 

Later, when I was in my 40s, I’d buy high-heeled shoes more for the height (and thus the power) that they gave me, but I still liked the fact they made my legs look longer and thinner.

 

Do I feel diminished in my post-heel days? A little, but I don’t miss the pinched toes, the bunion that was developing on my left foot (which has now receded) nor do I miss the fact I often found myself unable to walk quickly if my heels were just a tad too high.

 

But I think that has more to do with feeling comfortable with myself and with where my life is right now.

If I was still single and working daily in an office where power-dressing counts, then my inability to add those extra inches, and all that goes with them, would hurt (and to hell with the bunions)."

 

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DOING BUSINESS IN ITALY

 

     The following is a brief summary of modern Italian culture and includes some of the things that a U.S. manager (or any other visitor) might need to know about social and professional behavior.  I chose to research Italy because I have never been there, and I am planning a trip there in 2011.

      

     Italy is a republic in Southern Europe that borders France and Austria, as well as Vatican City, which is the independent city-state that is home to the Pope and the headquarters of the Catholic religion.  Because of this, the main religion of Italy is Roman Catholicism, although there are significant Jewish and Protestant populations and an increasing Muslim community as well. 

         

     Regardless of religion, the heart of Italian culture is family values.  The family is the center of the social structure and Italians take great pride in their family name and heritage.  In southern Italy, many extended families live under the same roof, whereas in northern Italy, domiciles tend to be more nuclear. Since networking and personal relationships are highly valued in Italian business circles, it is important to show an interest in a person’s family life and heritage.  One way to make a good impression is to research the history of a company and its founders, and notice any family ties to current employees.  This will show a genuine interest in a company’s background.  While family nepotism is frowned upon in some cultures, it is something to be proud of in others.

     

     Italy has been the center of the fashion world for many years and this has contributed to the extreme value placed on appearance and personal style.  For men and women both, it is important to wear a conservative, well-tailored, dark-colored suit and a crisp starched shirt in order to make a good impression with Italian businessmen and –women.  Elegant accessories may be worn and should be real gold or silver.  Furthermore, it is important to observe other fashion “rules” such as matching belts and shoes (both should be the same color and same fabric; for example, both black leather or both brown fabric) and even hosiery and hemlines (a trouser sock or pantyhose should be the same color as a hemline thread, which should generally also be the same color as the shoes, belt and purse). 

     

     There is a concept in Italian culture called “bella figura” which means “good image.”  This includes appearance, style, demeanor, body language, and a person’s “aura” in general, and Italians will assess your background, education level and social status based on the “bella figura” that you project.

 

     During a first meeting, the introduction is basic and friendly, and includes good eye contact, a firm handshake and a smile.  Wait until the other person has called you by your first name before using his or her first name.  In general, Italians prefer to do business with people they know and trust (don’t we all?) so getting a third party introduction will go a long way in helping to advance your business relationship.  It is also important to spend time developing your relationship with clients and associates.  Volunteer information about yourself and ask about the other person’s family and interests outside of work.  Business cards should be exchanged after the formal introduction and it is considered a sign of respect and admiration to inspect a person’s business card carefully before putting it away.

     

     When planning a business meeting, the request should be made in writing (in Italian, if possible), at least two weeks in advance.  Confirmation by phone should be made 48 hours before the meeting.  Many European companies are closed in August for holiday, and even if they aren’t, this is when many Italians take their personal vacations, so it is best to schedule a meeting for July or September.  In addition, the purpose of a business meeting (and especially a first meeting) is to build trust and respect, and to negotiate and exchange information, but not to reach final decisions or agreements.  In southern cities, people sometimes take a more leisurely approach, whereas in northern cities, Italians tend to be more direct, holding the “time is money” viewpoint.  Follow the lead of your business colleagues; allow them to “lead you” in their social customs and work at their pace when it comes to discussions and negotiations, whether it is faster or slower than the pace you are used to.  Adaptability is the key to survival in any situation, whether business, social or life-threatening.

     

     If you are not fluent in Italian, you should bring your own translator and have and printed materials available in triplicate, in both English and Italian.  Interruptions are common in meetings; so are raised voices and animated hand gestures.  These are considered signs of excitement, not aggravation, although you should refrain from using hand gestures like a “thumbs up” or “OK” sign, as these are considered obscene gestures in many European countries, not just Italy.  It is also considered an insult to hold up the palm of your hand to someone’s face (think about a “stop” gesture), so be careful when “speaking with your hands.”  Make sure you’re saying the right things with your nonverbal communication!

 

     These are just a few of the basic things that can help you communicate effectively with Italians and make a good first impression.  After all, you never really get a second chance to make a first impression, and Italians are no exception to the rule!

 

============================================================================

 

 THE PASTOR'S ASS 


The Pastor entered his donkey in a race and it won.

The Pastor was so pleased with the donkey that he entered it in the race again and it won again.

The local paper read:   PASTOR'S ASS OUT FRONT..

 

The Bishop was so upset with this kind of publicity that he ordered the Pastor not to enter the donkey in another race.

The next day the local paper headline read:  BISHOP SCRATCHES PASTOR'S ASS

 This was too much for the Bishop so he ordered the Pastor to get rid of the donkey.

The Pastor decided to give it to a Nun in a nearby convent.

The local paper, hearing of the news, posted the following headline the next day: NUN HAS BEST ASS IN TOWN.

The Bishop fainted. He informed the Nun that she would have to get rid of the donkey so she sold it to a farmer for $10.

The next day the paper read: NUN SELLS ASS FOR $10.

This was too much for the Bishop so he ordered the Nun to buy back the donkey and lead it to the plains where it could run wild.

The next day the headlines read: NUN ANNOUNCES HER ASS IS WILD AND FREE.

 

The Bishop was buried the next day.

The moral of the story is . . . being too concerned about public opinion can bring you much grief and misery . . even shorten your life.

So be yourself and enjoy life.

Stop worrying about everyone else's ass and you'll be a lot happier and live longer!

 

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REMIXES/ CRITIQUES 

 

==========================================================================

 

TURNTABLISM

The Art of the Remix

 

============================================================================

 

WHEN MOM DIED

 

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THE POOR MAN'S TOUR

 

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WRITER'S BLOCK

 

=========================================================

 

THE MARXIST MATRIX

 

=========================================================

 

GOT MUGGED

 

=========================================================

 

DHIMMITUDE

 

==========================================================================

 

THE GRAMMAR GESTAPO

 

Free form writing is a beautiful and necessary tool for all writers. Whether writing in a narrative or technical capacity, the brainstorming and the outpouring of words onto paper is the first important step in the creative process.  But as a writer moves forward into the editing phase, literary elements like grammar and syntax are important not only for technical writers, but also for the novel and essay-writer.  The literary Formalists believed that such mastery of the text was ultimately the greatest sign of true artist.  I wouldn't go that far, but I certainly agree that a person's entire point or purpose can sometimes get lost in a sea of words, especially if there are punctuation, spelling mistakes and errors in sentence structure.  What might otherwise be a fantastic and insightful piece can instead become ambiguous, confusing or tedious to the reader.

 

On a professional level, it is extremely important to learn the most common mistakes that are made and avoid them at all costs.  In this increasingly competitve job market, an employer will give the job or the interview to the person who can spell and write properly.  The smallest mistakes on a resume, cover letter, e-mail or application essay (a screening tool that is becoming more popular) can be a deal-breaker for some employers. 

 

The purpose of this page is to note my own grammatical observations and research as I read a variety of texts: the wiki pages here, magazines, newspapers and websites, and even my own documents.

 

==========================================================================

 

PORTFOLIO

 

==========================================================================

 

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Spider Monkey Blog is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

 

Comments (10)

Lauren Campbell said

at 11:38 pm on Aug 24, 2010

I love how in the picture the monkey has his right foot in the air! It couldn't be any more perfect!

H.I.M. said

at 12:03 am on Aug 25, 2010

I echo this sentiment: "I know we talked a lot about grant-writing in class tonight, but I really, truly, positively, (from the bottom of my heart) don't want to write a grant for this class..."

Grants, as far as I am concerned, are evil. Sure, they DO help non-profits and needy children and whatever, but I feel they are loathsome things to trifle with, at least in a class where working with them is not mandatory. Especially with having had to deal with them for a year now.

Elizabeth Sellers said

at 12:10 am on Aug 25, 2010

I don't really think they're evil (although I say they are every time I work on one...), but I definitely think that we can do more fun and creative things in this class. Unless we write a grant for personal stipends of $1,000 each, in which case I'd probably be on board!

Boda said

at 10:37 pm on Aug 25, 2010

Glad to see I'm not alone in my feelings about the grant thing. Initially, I wasn't happy about the non-profit part of the class. I'm taking three English courses this semester and two of them deal with LLS - oy vey. A warning in the class description would have been nice. We discussed it in detail today in my tech writing class and I'm feeling better about it. I'm trying to keep an open mind about the experience. You never know how it might benefit you down the road. Keep your chin up!

kms said

at 11:58 am on Sep 1, 2010

RE: MRI. Enjoyed reading your experience. Know the feelin' - since I had one in the early '90s - prior to technicians providing earphones and music. I had an MRI of the brain - so all that noise was right up close and personal. Not to mention the wierdness of football type face mask they put on my face to line me up. $400? bargain pricing really. I know - scary, isn't it? Seriously, though, they are generally $1000 up, so good thing they didn't rip you off since you have no insurance co bargaining for you. My personal experience made me think - WOW! putting me into a big magnet and rearranging my atoms so they fall and provide an image. HOW COOL IS THAT!?!? AND...this technology has been AVAILABLE SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME! We just didn't know how to harness it? So, what else is out there!?!?!

Elizabeth Sellers said

at 12:27 pm on Sep 1, 2010

I know, right? I can't even imagine what things will be like on Earth in 10, 20, 100 years. As for the $400, it really was a great price- my very awesome doctor actually called around and priced places in order to find one that was reasonable (National PET Scan in Pinellas Park). I've already spent upwards of $4,000 on this foot so she just feels sorry for me at this point, LOL. I can't imagine having a brain MRI. That would be the ultimate mothership expereince... as for the earplugs, I didn't get any music, they were just noise-reducing earplugs... and they didn't help much. I felt like yelling, "Beam me up, Scottie!"

shawn dudley said

at 5:40 pm on Sep 14, 2010

I had a bad injury to my shoulder about four years ago and had an MRI. It's a creepy experience IMHO. Claustrophobic.

kms said

at 12:27 am on Sep 16, 2010

FYI - healthcare for the uninsured, 18-64 who don't qualify for medicaid/medicare, can't afford insurance and make too much money to go to the Pinellas County Health Dept - link to SPFC; check out free clinic tags. They even offer physical therapy! You can call and check out their parameters and to make an appt (vs. waiting as a walk-in). If you don't qualify for their services they will most likely have a referral to somewher with a sliding fee scale.

jn said

at 12:51 am on Sep 16, 2010

kms said

at 5:57 pm on Nov 23, 2010

maybe we (as in both of us??) need to choose a different license as CC 3 can be copied and distributed as long as not for commercial purposes and attributed to the author.

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