Dedication

I have been taking a theater class at our local theater. I found out that at the start of the new semester, my class of three is being combined with another class that is supposedly the same age, that is at a different time. The problem is, it's not really the same age, but a younger class (at least for me), and I can't make it with the new time.

It is just another thing I have done where I have been dedicated to something, and then left in the dust. Although this is probably one of the worst situations I have been in. I have been involved in several things it seems that I have put a lot of time and energy into, and others have not which caused problems. I think part of the problem is people don't want to be dedicated to something, or they are really busy with other things so they can't be dedicated to it.

One person in my class pretty much dropped out the week we had our first performance. They never really seemed dedicated to the class, it was just something they were doing. Fortunately one of my teachers realized this might be a problem and had someone else learn their lines a few days before the performance. This left us with three people total in our class. The other people in my class wanted to do a full production of a play next semester, and we knew it wasn't going to work with three people. We looked at our options, and ultimately it was decided by the teachers to combine classes. I am left in the dust. Merry Christmas.

I had thought hard about taking this sort of class before the semester started. I had originally wanted to take a Shakespeare class, but I was the only one to sign up. I wasn't sure I wanted to do this class because I hadn't done musical theater in a long time. I don't like to sign up for lots of things, and before now I didn't know why. I think the answer is I am always dedicated to the things I do, and in my subconscious want to make sure I can still be dedicated to the new thing, as well as what I am already doing.

There have been several times I have been in a play and everyone has been told to memorize lines for next week, and then the next week I am the only one with anything memorized. I know being able to memorize easily is a contributing factor, but it still always surprises me.

Now I have to find something else to do for next semester.

Refinement and Etiquette

This last weekend I had the opportunity to attend an etiquette simulation. I know when most people hear etiquette they think of table manners. There is so much more to it than that! I think one of the first places I heard the word etiquette was when I was learning to play tennis as a child, such as not walking behind someone while they are playing as it can be distracting.

The way etiquette was described at this event is making sure those around you feel comfortable and valued. This is made much easier if you can remember who you are, and who everyone else is, children of God. I know some girls have a hard time accepting chivalry, they need to remember who they are, and why boys want to respect them. Everyone has the opportunity to be kings and queens. In a nutshell, the word king came about originally came about from the word gen which changed into kin. This word was the base for the verb kinning which was shortened to the noun king. The first kings were the leaders of a family. The duties of  kings and queens are to be givers and protectors of life. chivalry is one way men fulfill their kingly duties.

We had a class on language which I found very interesting and eye-opening. I don't use foul language, and that wasn't really brought up, what was more brought up was how we use language, and what we are actually saying. The thought was brought up about sarcasm, and how we shouldn't use language that degrades people, even if we don't mean it, and the people to whom we are talking know it. The topic was also brought up about how some of the common slang language today is oxymoronic. Such as when you might say "dude, that was sick!" or "that was wicked!" As one person pointed out, we are calling evil good, and good evil. That really stuck out to me.

Another class we had was on critical conversations, and how they may affect things, and how to handle them well. How we need to talk things out instead of bursting out in anger or giving the silent treatment.

One class I thought was really interesting was a class on body language, and how we can read other people's body language to figure out how we can make them comfortable. Such things as watching their body language  to see how comfortable they are with how close we are. Also how to have a general idea of how and what a person may be thinking about by looking at their eyes. That made me think about how I may be thinking or feeling. Also how I need to look people in the eyes more often when I am talking to them so it doesn't seem like I am disinterested. For whatever reason I find it awkward to look people in the face when I am talking to them. Something I need to work on.

At the end we talked about general etiquette rules. It was really cool to hear guys' opinions on some of the rules. It was also cool to hear about some of their experiences over the couple days of the simulation. One topic that was brought up was standing up whenever a girl walks into a room or to or from the table. It will be interesting to see what my brother does at Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow as he also attended the simulation.

One person at my table at our banquet made the comment to the effect of 'imagine if everyone could be like we are tonight.' I agree with her, society is going downhill fast. A return to proper etiquette and refinement I believe would help solve a lot of the world's problems.

I will probably write more about this later, I just wanted to start really blogging and this had just happened.

Swiss Railroad on Google Street View

Google is getting ready to post images of the Albula-Bernina line in Switzerland on Street View in Google Maps. This is one of the most famous scenic railroads in the world. Google put their trike with a camera system on a flatbed car in front of a train. They hope this will inspire people to visit and see the mountains and trees. The project will provide people with new perspectives of the route, and help document and preserve this UNESCO World Heritage site.
You can read more about it here.
(Picture is not of the Swiss line)

What I Have Learned in My Computer Literacy Course

Here are some things I've learned while doing Computer Literacy:

How to re-size images proportionately in Openoffice.org Impress and Draw.

How to add an image to a presentation without having to have the image file on the computer you are viewing the presentation.

How to add my Google Calender to my email/calender program.