The Eclectic Spider Web.

So I have to admit, I had my doubts.

There have been so many times when an a larger-than-life idea created a horribly stressful situation and I bite off more than I can chew. There were no other submitters besides those in Mr. Andy's classes and that definitely made me nervous.

What if nobody was going to come to the conference?

Or even to the CONCERT??


Let's not dwell on the old stresses. The conference as a whole was amazing. Those present were stimulated intellectually for the entirety of the event; well, I was anyway. First, the topic of the influence of rock-n-roll and music in general... then, to the Twilight madness... The most general idea discussed, though, was American consumers' hunger for culture-free popular culture and the industries that feed them the hollowed-out crap that we see on TV and movies, hear on the radio, and read in books.

The presentation and discussions proved to be invigorating, and I was sad to know that there would be no more discussing =[ BUT! Andy Smith saved me by inviting Lauren and I to his table. Between Andy and Genie, Erin and Sierra, Alex and Austin and I, we had very involved conversations ranging from Harry Potter to His Dark Materials to the main aspects of religion, spirituality and belief. It was so amazing to hear different perspectives and share my own, and just know that there were college students interested in talking about something that possesses some substance, some depth. Ahh. I was even sad to break up that whole sub-event to go to the concert.

WHICH WAS STUPID! The bands were remarkable, and it was perfect to get a taste of real live and thriving art after discussing it all day. The energy of the Pursuits was contagious, but I couldn't really hear the lyrics of their songs, which turned me off. The music was good and strong, but I was searching for message. THIS IS LUKE BLEW ME AWAY! I wish I could express my excitement with out bouncing and squealing. I myself have always tended to gravitate away from Christian bands. I don't really know why... but anyway these guys expressed themselves. their love for what they do, and their love for God in a superior manner. Their songs were packed full of messages and the audience could sense their depth. As well as Cory Wheeler's heat waves emanating off of the stage. Oh. Em. Gee. I realize now why he is called the heartthrob of the Upper Cumberland. While the band was setting up, I introduced myself and told them that at the conference earlier, I presented my paper about classic rock. My final powerful musical blow in the paper was Don't Stop Believing. I said that I had seen their cover of it, and I asked if they could possibly play it (as long as it didn't screw up their set list.) Wheeler exclaimed an "oh yeah, it's definitely happening then! (Insert blinding smile)" and I squeeled and thanked them.

Now I feel like I'm doing a Backstreet Boys memoir lol.

I anticipated for the lead-in of my song and I almost peed myself when it finally came about.
Ahh.
Ok I'm getting WAY too into this. I have too much work to do to think about Cory Wheeler singing my request all night lol.


Overall, this was an experience I never would have had if Dr. Kurt Eisen didn't place me in Andy's class. I'm pretty sure the Universe really pushed this one lol. But I hope that Andy and I will continue to be friends through my time at Tech, and that I will have other awe-inspiring experiences like this one.

WOOT to the WOOT.
Kati

Never Thought It'd Ende Up Like This...

Between recent panic attacks and mental breakdowns, I am surprised to announce that the only thing keeping me sane--my only stability--is my school work. My assignments. That all have a due date. The only consistent thing in my life right now. Wow.

Anyhoo, assignments: I have a blog due =]

Field Guide
pgs 120-126
First off, this book is my Bible. I always have it open during assignments, of course, but I believe that I will use it as a reference for my writing long after Mister Andy is gone. The Dawson's Creek was an excellent example of an evaluation/review. I didn't use the same organization for my review (there were two to pick from), but it was nice to see an example from the other side of the spectrum. Personally, I think I would have connected more with the evaluation if I had actually WATCHED Dawson's Creek, but the paper certainly did give me a good idea of what the show is about. It still sounds corny... but I'm glad that Leever pointed out that they were all goody two shoes. He's right, in light of the problems the students faced, they could have resorted to more negative ways of expressing themselves. Still sounds corny.
pgs 646-649
First thought: "hippiesque" is the coolest word ever.
Papers like this remind me of the Skinner experiments on Classical Conditioning (the salivating dog experiment). Mostly because I'm salivating lol. The review was impressive--Forrest was extremely informative and detailed--but I can't get over how amazing this establishment sounds! How are we, as english students, supposed to appreciate the review when we can't get past the company itself?! Sigh.
pgs 655-658
Omg... he misspelled Voldemort. And I caught it. I'm a freak.
The first sentence, btw, brill.
Being a Harry Potter freak, I really enjoyed this paper. Although, I'm having trouble--I totally think of this as a review, but I'm not sure it follows the guidelines set forth in the book :/
Idk.
Alas, I must desist. I have a paper that needs its final editing.
Not to mention the other two that so, as well.
T-T-F-N!
=F ... [Vampire Smiley]

Blog Assignments: Readings and Intake Forms

Austin is distracting me with his tales of Freerunning and Tracing.

Nummer Einz: The Readings.
So I have officially decided that I am keeping my Field Guide and Easy Writer after I get out of Mister Andy's class; they're much too handy to sell. I will keep them forever. Anyhoo, I'm glad he assigned these readings. Never once in school has an instructor described the fundamentals of a research paper to a class of mine. Public education = shit. But I definitely learned a lot. I can't remember any of it right now lol, but it's just one of those things you refer back to during the process.
>>>INSERT>>>
Ok I totally forgot to blog on the actual readings, lol. Here it is: =]

Meet Joe Blog.
I have to admit, I've never thought of researching the history of such an obscure subject as the blog. A blog isn't one of those inventions that revolutionized the world like the printing press or the sock, but blogs do play a hefty role in Mr. Andy's class. Nevertheless, it was very interesting reading about the development of them=]
Note: remember Russ Kick. Because I'm pretty sure that my mother follows his blog lol
My grandmother is watching The Holiday and Jude Law is extremely distracting so I'll wrap this up.
Blogs are the voice of the little guy, the average joe. They are so important today because they provide a way for every person to express themselves. Not everybody can handle the life of the struggling artist. That's how I think about it.

Homeless on Campus.
I am so glad this article was picked for this text. Sure, it was a great source during my group's research project on runaways and juvi/student homelessness, but it was truly moving. It was written before the horrible recession. Hearing some of the stories of the students interviewed really made me think about how many more people have been affected, even at a smaller college town like Cookeville.
All together, I think the Field Guide provides a student with more than just a great learning resource. The stories chosen as examples always manage to open my eyes to important issues that don't get exposed.

...............

Nummer Zwei: Churched-Up Intake Forms
When Debbie originally commented on the two different intake forms, I was astonished to find myself insulted by the fact that the church-based form asked religious questions. I am not a religious person; far from it. I call myself a spiritualist, because I believe in spirituality, but not in organized religion. Anything with some kind of organized hierarchy is not good for Miss Kati. Back on track... When Viktor Kline came to class to talk about Chartwell's, he commented on his activism in assisting the homeless of Putnam County. He said there are many people who refuse money and food if there is a bible, or even some God-related message, in the hands of the donator. Many just won't accept help from a religious establishment. But WHY?? I mean it's help... Maybe after all of their struggles, they don't believe in a divine being of made love. They have no more hope. Or maybe they're just like me. The point is, any information that is asked of a needy individual on an intake form has to do with a)personal information for record and/or b)factors that affect the help they'll recieve. Debbie, a person who does what she does for personal religious reasons, doesn't even ask of this on her form. Maybe this does have to do with the fact that Helping Hands is government-funded, and if she could have it her way she'd ask religious questions. I don't know.

I would really like to fill that form out. Dangit. Well, the worst they could do is tell me they can't help me because my income is too high, right? One day I will do it. Just because it bothers me that much.


Well. My brain has been overrun with homeless peoples' problems and potential solutions, and I think it's time for bed. OF course, I have a fitting in Livingston in the morning so I'm driving there tonight and spending time with my man... so sleep won't come for a while 8(
8)

Peace-Raisins!

Halt, bitte!

Ok, before I blog about anything else, I have homework to make up. I'm hitting the brakes and we're kicking it into reverse.

David Sedaris' Us and Them

I really appreciated and enjoyed this memoir. In terms of literary techniques, Sedaris made use of the pop culture theme on several different levels. The presence of television, the traditions of Halloween, and even the theme of manners when interacting with people resonated with the theme. This observation kind of makes me sound like I can't read anything for pleasure, but it was the first thing I noticed and I dig it. Actually, I found the story to be very enjoyable. The author's change in voice from a reflective adult to a cute, cynical little kid. There was one paragraph that really spoke to me... The narrator mused on what it must be like to be "so ignorant and alone" to be without television. He claims, and I quote, "Staring at an Elmer Fudd lunchbox, I tried to divorce myself from everything I already knew: Elmer's inability to pronounce the letter r, his constant pursuit of an intelligent and considerably more famous rabbit. I tried to think of him as just a drawing, but it was impossible to separate him from his celebrity."

Susan Jane Gilman's Mick Jagger Wants Me

Ok, so after everyone in class talked about our reactions to the blogs, I found out that I didn't dig this story like everybody else did. I couldn't really relate to the author, as the last band I went "crazy" for like she did was probably the Spice Girls. As it is somebody else's memoir, somebody's memory, I can't be critical. But personally, I found the actions of the girls to be pretty lame. The only redeeming quality I found throughout the text was at the very end, when the narrator refused to spoil her perfect fantasy by intersecting it with reality. I'm sorry, but she totally let herself go, and if she had chosen to go after Jagger, she probably would have been hungover, smelling of B.O. and Mary Jane. It wasn't my favorite.

I'm Just the Worst Kind of Person. But I'm still Red.

So I can't count how many significant experiences and events that I haven't blogged about. It has been 15 days! Ok, I will attempt to list, then elaborate, the gaps.

One thing that I made a point to blog about was the dead birdI found while walking to class one day. When an animal or feather or token of some kind speaks to you, presents itself to you, you are supposed to accept the gift and keep it. It's the Indian way. What the hell was I supposed to do with a dead bird in German class? And let me tell you, it was presenting itself. It's wings were spread and it was lookin' right at me. I didn't know what kind of bird it was, but the first thing that came to my head was "Sparrow." It didn't look like roadkill, it didn't even look dead! I could only tell because of a portion of guts was hanging of of one of its sides. Well I tried to ignore it, but I swear I took a step and I heard this LOUD bird-call. I turned around; there were no trees in sight. Whatever. It took about 15 steps for it to stop. I may not have taken the gift, but its impact was great enough that the spirit stayed with me just the same.

I'm going to try to keep this short.

My boyfriend, Cody, isn't into the Spirit like I am. He's just a punk drummer kid. I didn't tell him about my bird experience because he wouldn't have really understood. But of course a couple of days later, he asks me: "Baby, what does two dead birds mean? Is it an Indian sign?" I kept my cool and asked him what they looked like. He remembered how one looked, and his description paralleled mine of my sparrow.

Wednesday afternoon I picked up Dove, who is the fifteen year-old girl who is teaching me how to dance. I started telling her about the bird experience and her jaw dropped. She told me that she had a vision the night before of the exact same thing. Dead sparrow. But it didn't look dead.

We went to the Elders and they were convinced that I had a name-change coming to me. It's kind of a big deal, because you only have about three in your lifetime. My current name is Whispering Willow.

Well, I tried to keep this short, but that didn't happen. So I'll put that into action now.

My official new name will be formally presented to me at the fire circle on Indian Day this weekend, but it will be somewhere between Chattering Sparrow and Song Sparrow. It's exciting to finally have an identity. I just found out a couple of hours ago.

But aside from that, I have been super busy (and therefore super-behind) on everything, thanks to Indian Day. Wednesday I had to go buy materials to MAKE my formal dancing regelia. It's done now. But I was very sick on Thurs, Fri, Sat, and Sun of last week. Plus I had to work Thurs and Fri, so that contributed. Which reminds me, I AM FREE OF LABOR!! I quit Domino's on Fri night and my life is awesome.

AND my wonderful daddy came to spoil me this past weekend. He bought be some modest, practical furniture, a bed, a cute pink and vintage bike, FOOD, cleaning stuffs kitchen stuffs, the works.

SO. Is there anything else? I'm close to falling behind on my Profile. Well, I already am behind, but the assignment is short and it shouldn't take long. I just have to figure out my purpose. And I am SO behind in math it's retarded. First I didn't go to class because I didn't think I would miss anything, but now I don't go because I'm so behind that I'd get confused lol. Anyhoo, it's 12:28 am and I be tired and cold! Much love and peace, K.

Ta-Ta!

Time for new blog on the other subjects, I think lol.

Tuesday's Labels: Almost Famous, Sweet Tatts, and (Satisfactory) Nose Piercings(?)

So Almost Famous is a fantastic film. I think if I had watched it at any other time, though, it wouldn't have resonated as deep within me. The night before, my drummer boyfriend, Cody, told me that he was going to quit his mediocre boy-band so he can grow as an artist. His best friend's dad drives a tour bus for a living (his most recent clients were Saving Abel), and the guy offered to take him with on the next tour as a roadie. arghhh*&^%$#@! I could never rob him of that experience, but seriously? What does he NOT understand about the phrase "SEX, DRUGS, and Rock-&-Roll?"

Anyhoo, the film had a strong impact, and I need to make him watch it, to let him know that I know what happens on tours lol.

Cody came up to Cookeville last night to get a tattoo at Alleycat's. His tatt, btw, IS AMAZING!! It's pretty big, probably 7 inches tall. It's a zomibe hand coming out of the ground making a party-on/devil horns gesture, with a little tombstone next to it that says "punk lives." Because the hand comes up in a curve, I suggested that he should get it curving around his shoulder blade. It is so sexy, I swear.

I was getting ancy because we was getting another tat and I wasn't. So I decided to get my nose pierced on a whim. I like it... but I kinda wish that I pierced the left side as opposed to the left, as I have a natural Marilynesque beauty mark close to my nose on that side of my face.

I've been wondering all day whether or not it would be a big deal to pierce the other side and let the one I have close up... I'm about to look it up online, I do believe=]

Native Dance Practice, Teacher On the Radio, and Too Much More

Yesterday was a freakin' sweet day.

I woke up a bit nervous. I have my first Psychology exam this coming Wednesday, and I only made it to one of two classes he had last week. So I had no idea what I missed and how that would affect my grade on the test tomorrow. At the end of class, he gave us a review. [Insert angelic ray of light and glorious high-pitched singing]. Then German was fantastic because a woman came and talked about their study abroad program, which whole is the reason I go with foreign languages.

I skipped math,

So school was good.

I picked up my lovely native american dancer friend, Dove, from her middle school and we spent the afternoon together. Went to Bear's, which is one of the most spiritual places I've ever visited, and talked to him about my Pow Wow regelia. We still have to make it, and the Pow Wow is October10 and 11. He's so inspiring.

We then left and ventured to her dwelling, that turns out to be way out in No Where, Cookeville, to pick up her stereo so we can have dance practice. Went to my den to burn a CD of awesome drum music, and we were on our way to Dogwood Park.

As it turns out, she grabbed the wrong cord and we couldnt use the stereo. So we used my car. We parked at the edge of the Cookeville Historic Museum (which I just discovered on our Culture Crawl last Saturday) and blasted Native American drum music from my Kia with the windows down. We danced in the grass with our shawls waving behind us. Right as we were really getting into it, the people who work at the museum came outside to leave for the day. And who was there to greet them?? Why, The Fancy Shaw Ribbon Dancers of Hilham, TN lol.

It's funny, it was raining before we got to Dogwood but it had subsided for about 30 minutes. The sun even came out some. When we were done, it started to rain again. Sunny rain. I bet those people thought we were pretty BAD. But we weren't doing the Rain Dance anyway.

So I got to dance today. For dinner we went to Kristy's, which I had never heard of, but it was quite good. I got lost coming home from her house and her mom had to come rescue me :/ But I made it back in time to hear Mister Andy's radio show! Which is the whole reason yesterday was awesome.

It was freakin' sweet hearing him on the radio, anyway, but we texted the whole time! Made me feel special. Plus I got some good information on what to do with the CFP I had to edit. I have to be honest, my boyfriend was jealous lol. Almost mad. He's so dumb. He's just insecure about the fact that I'm away at college without him. OFF TOPIC...

Actually, there's not much of a topic to be off of. And I have to get ready for class/make a review for Psych.

So Ta-Ta peeps

PS- I felt like green today =]