Revision- Yay or Nay?

I think the hardest part to writing is the revision process. According to Webster’s Dictionary revision is: The act of revising; reëxamination for correction; review; as, the revision of a book or writing, or of a proof sheet; a revision of statutes. But if you asked me, I would say that it is a step that I much rather hire someone else to do for me. It seems like such a grooling process, and most times I get very defensive when the wrong person makes the harshest critic, but in the end I find revisions to be beneficial and a learning experience.

Often times, I don't want to think that I am making errors or need to remove or add details that I may have left out from my writing. I find it difficult to ponder the fact that my writing at any stage( rough draft, in between editing stage, final draft) may need some sort of revision. Although this may come across as egotistical, it’s how I’ve always been. It is extremely difficult for me to revise and find flaw in my own writing. Honestly, unless you know what you’ve written was just total crap, then I’m sure every write has confidence in their writing and thinks it’s this magical unicorn of perfection? Que no? Maybe it’s just me.

Think of it like this; you’re writing it your baby, and you would never criticize your newborn because he\she is the most precious thing in the world to you. You love him\her so much! Yet it’s much easier for other people to find the flaws in this baby of yours. They help on many aspects to aid as another set of eyes; pointing out the flaws, emphasizing the strengths, helping us to see where there areas can be improved or taken out completely. And that’s why I think II have an easier time letting peers read and give me feedback on my writing. 

Me Talk Pretty One Day

                The name David Sedaris may sound familiar; whereas his voice might be even more recognizable if you have ever tuned into This American Life on NPR (National Public Radio). He is a man well known for his witty humor, collection of stories and essays; one being Me Talk Pretty One Day. Before this book hit the shelves and became main stream, he read several of the essays from the book on NPR. Little, Brown and Company published the book and it was released May 2, 2000.  Sedaris finds reflects on his own life and draws humor from these situations. It is a collaboration of essays that have been split into “deux” parts.  In the first segment he reflects on his life prior to his move to Normandy, France.  I was dead from laughing after I read the first chapter. He talks about when he was younger in grade school and was forced to speech therapy for his lisp. Then in part deux he talks about his move to France.

From chapter one- “Go Carolina”

“None of the therapy students were girls. They were all boys like me who kept movie star scrapbooks and made their own curtains. ‘”You don’t want to be doing that,’” the men in our family would say. “’That’s a girl thing.’” Baking scone and cupcakes for the school janitors, watching Guiding Light with our mothers, collecting rose petals for use in a fragrant potpourri: anything worth doing turned out to be a girl thing. In order to enjoy ourselves, we learned to be duplicitous. Our stacks of Cosmopolitan were topped with an unread issue of Boy’s Life  or Sports Illustrated, and our decoupage projects were concealed beneath the sporting equipment we never asked for but always received. When we asked what we wanted to be when we grew up, we hid the truth and listed who we wanted to sleep with when we grew up, “’A policeman or a fireman or one of those guys who works with high-tension wires.’” Symptoms were feigned and our mothers wrote notes excusing our absences on the day of the intramural softball tournament. Brian had a stomach virus or Ted suffered from that twenty-four-hour bug that seemed to be going around.”

“’One of these day’s I’m going to have to hang a sign on that door,’” Agent Samson used to say. She was probably thinking along the lines of SPEECH THERAPY LAB, though a more appropriate marker would have read FUTURE HOMOSEXUALS OF AMERICA.

                I would recommend this book because it was able to make me laugh out loud and typically I’m not the type of person to “lol” to literature. It was a very entertaining and kept me wanting to read more constantly. I was able to read it effortlessly, he isn’t the type of author to pick up a thesaurus and find a replacement word just in order to use big words. (i.e. big-gargantuan) And that said I suggest you download, or go pick up a copy of Me Talk Pretty One Day, if you’re looking for a large laugh!

The Climb

"If life was easy it wouldn't be worth living, that is why we have obstacles we over come and friends to help so we won't have to do it alone." -Kimiko Martinez.

     

     I can recount the fondest memories from my childhood from when my mom would take myself, my brother and whatever family dog we had at the time to go hike North Mountain. Often times we went early in the morning. The cool fresh air sent intense surges down my spine when the breeze blew onto my face. I distinctly remember moms two outfit staples: her visor and her fanny pack. Back then in the 90's there weren't iPod's or Mp3's. But my mom did have a large over sized yellow Walkman  We would 'hike' the mountain, or rather walk up the paved trail that spiraled along the sides which led to barbaric electric towers. Sometimes we would take turns holding the leash of the dog. And when we reached the top we made sure to touch the black metal fence. 

      Today I still hike the same mountain. I guess I can thank my mom for instilling such a great habit into me from such an early age. Although now I don't hike that same simple path, which I could easily conquer in a mere 20 minutes. As I've grown older, my desire for a greater adventure as increased. This has lead me to discover countless number of trails, and if I stay on them long enough they all lead back to those gated towers.

      The mountain is constantly changing. It evolves to the weather; summer, spring, fall, winter. Over time I've noticed the different formation of rocks and become accustomed to the steeper incline. Just this spring I really opened my eyes and saw how the side of the mountain was growing grass and other plants began to bloom. Typically I hike alone because it gives me this serene time to just be with my music and my own thoughts. It's the time where I don't need to answer to anyone and I can try rationalize any mishap. Some of the best memories have been formed there and I'm sure there will be many more to come.

Morning Inquisition

As if! I know what's really going on!

Am I the only one who needs like 15 minutes in the morning to wake up? That's it! Just let me wake up, adjust to the bright, bright sunlight and wipe the sleep from my eyes. Is that too much too ask for? There's a reason why I don't work out in the mornings because I feel like when you work out, it should be when you have the most energy and that is definitely not in the morning. At least for me! Now I know the health benefits and how it can be such a "wonderful head start to your day!", but I don't care! I would rather hit snooze three times then hit the gym. 

My parents always get so mad at me in the mornings. They tell me that they "walk on egg shells" around me or they try so hard to get along with me in the mornings. Honestly I think they are being a bit dramatic. My mornings are exactly that...MINE! Don't get upset with me if it's between the hours of 7:00 and o'clock and I'm not prepared to answer the array of questions you have built up for me.

"What's your work schedule next week?"

 "How many hours do you have?"

"Are you going out tonight?"

 "What are you doing? Why are you squinting like that?"

"Did you eat all of that stuff I had in the freezer?"

"How was work last night? I bet it was good to be back after being off!"

Men naturally are non-verbal and respond with, "uh-huh" or the caveman's grunt. Once I'm wide awake I'm very talkative but naturally I respond to all these questions with groans, "uh-huh's" and "whatever". Then I get placed in a massive amount of trouble for not wanting to be involved with the family. I get told that I'm impossible to get along with each and every morning, “when we try taking an interest in what’s going on with you, you don’t want to talk about it!”. Well, the way I see it, if you would just give me 15 sweet minutes of solitude without any inquisition I might be a bit more decent in the mornings. Can I just take me vitamins without being ambushed- that's all I ask for.

 

Drive

     Okay so I'm doing this on my mobile app so excuse any mistakes. I'm actually at AAA Auto Repair right now, don't even think they've started on my car. Anyways to the point.

     The movie Drive appropriately demonstrates the idea of having a secret or double self. Within the opening scene we are shown how the main character is a getaway driver. He tends to remain calm the entire time. I notice he is able to manage a serene face, even while being chased by the cops. Perhaps there is little tension in his expression but it goes unnoticed.

     He narrates how he gives who he's working for the span of five minutes. It all seems so strategically easy as he gives the exact number of streets there are in LA. It's almost like math, and he would be able to find the perfect solution each time without flaw.

     Yet, then we come to find a sweeter side to the driver. He starts to build a relationship with his married neighbor. He does anything to protect her family, it's as if he gives excuses but we know he doesn't want any outside forces to harm her or the family. I think he is an emotionless driver just doing the job, but a fighter when it comes to Irene.