A Loss for Words...and Other Social Awkwardness...

At some point, I fully expect to the school calendar to mimic our internal calendars--because I don't know about you, but today feels like a Monday to me, but it's not--it's Wednesday. Which normally means, this darn thing is due in, like, 10 minutes. But, that would be if it actually WAS Monday today. Which, as we all know, is not the case. Because today is Wednesday. And I am just NOW posting this blog. Because I felt like it was just Monday. But, again, as we have all ascertained, it is not. So, this blog is not due in 10 minutes. More like 12. (Tee heeeeee) Or Sunday. Yeah, maybe Sunday would be better. OK, Sunday it is. This blog is now due on Sunday. Unless today really IS Monday. Then, no dice.

Let me take you to a place you may have been countless times in your life--I know I have. Your telling someone--your best friend, significant other, parent, teacher or whatever--a story. It's a great story, rife with vivid imagery and catchy dialogue and suspense and just...well, all the hallmarks of a great story. And then, you get to the best part, the juiciest detail, the apex of this recount that is going to knock your listener right on his or her butt, and you are trying to describe this one moment...and you can't think of the word to give that moment its due justice.
You are literally stumped for a word and you end up going with some lame synonym that pops into your head (probably from Bunje's darn SAT Vocab list) but you know that your story falls flat because that was SO not the word you wanted. Ever happen to you? Why, do you think?

Well, I have a theory. It's in its nascent (huh? huh? What's that you say?) stages, but a theory nonetheless. I have procured said theory by perusing ( a word that does not mean what many of you think it means, incidentally) The Global Language Monitor. This site is dedicated to tracking trends in language, specifically the English language, and it is chock full of all kinds of fascinating facts about word etymologies, global trends, colloquialisms etc. It's really cool, especially if you're a geek like me (and many of you are--don't even try to front).

Anyway, it was while I was on this site today that my theory began to crystallize about why we, at the worst possible moments, are suddenly at a loss for words.
According to the GLM, English passed the 1,000,000 threshold on June 10, 2009 at 10:22 am.

SIDEBAR: 1,019,729.6 (January 1, 2013 estimate)  I really wish they would update this.

Know what the millionth word was?? "Web 2.0." Which is just one more posit to the idea that popular culture is the crux of societal knowledge as well as the main contributor to the notion that we are a generation of CONSUMERS. But, I digress. How unusual.

Anyway, 1,000,000 is a pretty impressive number by any standard, especially when you consider that the French Language has fewer than 100,000 words total. The average human has approximately 14,000 words in his or her repertoire. Shakespeare had 24,000--1,700 of which he made up--floating around his brilliant brain. Man, I love that guy.
So, all this to say..what? Well, even with all of those words zooming through the ether, the bottom line is there is sometimes no word to describe, define, pinpoint or whatever, the "undefinable." That's why we can't finish the story in the scenario I mentioned earlier. Undefinable words usually fall into one of three categories: feelings, abstract concepts and phenomena.

When I say feelings, I mean like, that sensation that washes over you the first warm day after a long, cold winter when you are driving in a car with all the windows down and radio tuned into your favorite song. Or, the feeling you get when you just get your crush's phone number and you're staring at your cell phone, sweating, pacing, wondering if you should start to text.

Occasionally, mixed in with feelings are some abstract concepts, like the idea of strength, character, courage etc.
And I know we have all experiences some weird phenomena-type occurrences that we write off as "coincidence" which is a catch-all word that doesn't really encapsulate the notion that, for example, when someone you know gets pregnant suddenly all you see are pregnant women or maternity stores or baby paraphanalia. Or, when you buy a new car you begin to notice that there are 4 of that same car within a mile of your house.

All of these things and so many more, despite the much-vaunted number the GLM is broadcasting about the English Language, simply do not have a word that really captures the essence of their true meaning.

That is, until this blog.

Your task this week, Langers, is to put a word to those notions, concepts, feelings and/or phenomena. So, first I want you to think of one of those moments--the feelings, concepts or phenomena that you personally have experienced. Then, I would like you to talk about the "synonym" that would closely describe it, even though you know in your heart that synonym doesn't do it justice. Then, in a whimsical fit of language acquisition, I want you to MAKE UP a word that would better describe what you're talking about. Hell, if Mary Poppins can do it, why can't we?

What Have You Done for You, Me (or anyone) Lately?

In Buddhism, HH (which stands for His Holiness),the 14th Dalai Lama once said, "The creatures that inhabit this earth-be they human beings or animals-are here to contribute, each in its own particular way, to the beauty and prosperity of the world."

I am not sure where I heard or read that, most likely in a liturgy at Temple or any one of a thousand (hyperbole) books on HH, but I think about that particular notion quite a bit. It goes along the same lines as that age-old query, "Why am I here?" I suppose, but when I think of my contributions to the world and what I can do to be a part of the sum total of beauty and prosperity, only two things ever come to mind.
One, of course, is you. Collectively.
I teach. That's something I can do because in so doing, I am afforded the opportunity to, hopefully, broaden minds and open hearts, which will in turn allow you to do the same things with whomever is lucky enough to come in contact with you as you dance through your time on Earth.

What do you do? What will you do? Do you believe in HH's idea about contribution? Does it make sense but seem impossible? Does it seem like a bunch of nonsense? What has been your greatest contribution so far? Don't say nothing or start wailing, "I'm only a teenager--I haven't done anything yet!" because that is a total cop-out. Think about all the people you have known, both superficially and deeply, and imagine how many more you have impacted in ways you might not even know yet. Maybe it's a friend, a sibling, a stranger on the street. Things that you may not even think twice about doing or saying can have an impact that changes someone's life forever. That's chilling and exhilirating and awe-inspring concept.
So, what do you think will your legacy be? And more importantly, what do you WANT it to be?

Time to take you Lang temp! (Not as gross as it sounds, I promise!)

OK, ladies and gentlemen. You have done it. Well, almost. The mid-point.
 The year is now half over--more than half for the AP folks because your year ends sooner than everyone else's.
So, now is the time for some introspective reflection.

What do you know now that you didn't know on September 3?
What kinds of things still give you fits because you can't seem to grasp the concept?
What would you like to focus on moving forward?
What would you like to see more of? Less of? (don't say work; remember who I am. And, I know who you are--so go ahead. I know you're going to!)
Do you feel like your getting the most out of the class?
Is it what you expected? Less? More?
And, most importantly--are you learning?

Take your time, think about your answers and tell me how you feel.  I will use your responses as a means to plan out the rest of your year.  If there are other things you would like to say, tell me, vent about etc feel free.  If you feel you cannot do this in a public forum, you know what to do.

PS--this is still a blog--it's not a worksheet--please don't answer the questions one by one.

Welcome to Hogwarts!

Did you hold the door open for anyone today? Did you let anyone step in front of you on your way into school, the cafeteria, a classroom? Lend anyone a pencil, pick up a fallen book or paper? For most of you, the answer is probably yes, you did in fact do one or more of those things. All of you are well-mannered, considerate and generally just a nice bunch of kids. So, for today, or the next 4 days as it were, let's take that one step further. This will require a bit of imagination, introspection and innovation, so again, don't sit down to this blog on Wednesday night at 11pm and think you can do a respectable job on it.

Ok, so imagine, one morning, after a kindly old wizard--who bears a striking resemblance to Albus Dumbledore--visits you in your dreams, you awaken with the power to give one person anything in the entire universe. What would it be and why?

Now, that question, while startling limited in word content, is not as simple or straighforward as it seems.
I am not actually asking you to go ask someone what wish they would like to have granted (which seems like the obvious assumption given that I started off talking about wizards and magic); Instead, I am asking you what YOU want to give someone if you had the power to give them anything, and I am asking you to explain that choice.  Additionally, because there is always an "additionally," I would also like to know what advice you would give this person after you have bestowed this "gift" upon him or her.

"Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind" ---Rudyard Kipling

I love words.
Good thing I suppose, given my chosen and hard-fought-for occupation. Every time I sit down at a keyboard or have a pen poised over a blank sheet of paper, I feel overwhelmed with excitement, with possibility, with anticipation. With a few key strokes or swipes of a pen, you can find the right combination of words that can make someone LOVE you.
Conversely, you can break a heart, manipulate a mind or sever an allegiance…all with those same strokes or swipes. Think about that. Legends are immortalized because of words. Nations go to war over words. Couples are united in matrimony with words. Hearts and lives are shattered due to words. The power they wield is, in a word, awesome.

“Every time I come around the corner and see your car in the driveway I get sick to my stomach.”
I sat on the couch during yet another face-off with my mother when she let fly with that condemnation, effectively shattering any sense of comfort and belonging I may have been clinging to at the time. I was 17. I’m 42 now, and I can hear those words in my ear as clear as if they were uttered 10 minutes ago. I can’t say that it was those exact words that led to the eventual, unsurprising demise of my relationship with my mother, but I know it was certainly a huge chunk out of the already crumbling foundation. It stands, to this day, as one of the worst things anyone has ever said to me.

But, as I said, words are powerful. They have healing properties. Let me give you a scenario. I was visiting a friend at what is now, TCNJ (back then it was Trenton State College). My boyfriend of about a year had just broken up with me, quite unceremoniously, at a party the night before. I was feeling kind of blue, just sort of moping around the campus waiting for my friend’s class to end. While aimlessly wandering through the bookstore, I saw an old friend from high school, a guy who graduated a year ahead of me. We got to talking about life after high school and what my plans were and all of that idle small talk, when he looked me right in the eye and said, “Well Cass, the thing is, I hear you’re an excellent writer.”What followed is not a Cinderella-like ending of fairytale romance (this is me we’re talking about) between Matt Opacity (that was his name) and your Lang teacher. We didn’t fall into each other’s arms and swear undying love—it wasn’t even a romantic moment. He wasn’t trying out a brand-new pick-up line or even trying to soothe my bruised, dumped ego. It was a simple declaration that I am quite sure he would never even remember saying all these years later. But it’s impact on me was and is undeniable. Because of him, when I went back home, the first place I looked for a summer job was at a local newspaper called The Sandpaper. I landed a job as a stringer and at the tender age of 18, got my first ever piece of writing published. I even got paid for it! (It was an article on Tonkinese cats—don’t laugh!) Such is the power and the beauty of words.

So, that is the focus of this week’s blog question. I would like you to think about conversations you have had, arguments in which you’ve been embroiled, moments of bliss you have experienced. They all have one thing in common—WORDS.
The Yin: What is the worst thing anyone has ever said to you? Why do you think it was the worst thing? How did it make you feel?
And for the Yang (because there always is one): What was the best compliment you have ever received?
Who said it? Why do you think was it was the best compliment?
And finally, perhaps even MOST IMPORTANTLY, reflect on the fact that you highlighted these two particular comments. What do you think your choices of what was the best and worst thing anyone could say about/to you reveal about your personality? Much to think about, I know. Don’t delay!!

Paper Proposals, Ideas, Questions, Thoughts and other Miscellany

This is the spot, folks.  Your Gladwellian notions and queries can all go here.  This is a collegial space where everyone is encouraged to offer thoughtful advice and ideas on each other's work.
In college, this skill is integral in your own personal success.  For a more concrete example, I offer the confounding fact that 50% of one of my grad class's  grade is comprised of my interactions with my fellow scholars.
So, there you have it.
Mingle!

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow...Creeps Into this Petty Pace from Day to Day...

...and now I'm quoting Macbeth.  It's madness. Computer-inspired madness. My life, I swear.

In any case, at long last, here we are: Blog numero uno for week of Dec 9.  A simple one, as I said it would be.  It has, as you will see, nothing to do with the title, but then that just provides further insight into the maelstrom that has become my life since the Great Computer Crash of '13.

This response, and your peer responses, is due by Thursday night.  Tomorrow (Wednesday for those of you keeping track) I will post a more introspective query and that one will be due by Sunday night.
Onward and upward.

Tis the Season, as today's snow day would indicate. So, in that spirit, I would like you to compose a sort of reverse Christmas (or Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or any celebratory designation) list. I would like you to think about the edifice you inhabit for 5 days a week/7 hours a day.  The Oak. El Oako. The Falcon's Nest. Oakcrest High School.
What holiday gift(s) would you like to bestow on our school?  Now, since EVERYBODY will undoubtedly refer to the time of year when AC is at a premium, let me just take that off the table right now.  So, no gifting us air conditioning.  After all his time, it's kinda our thing that we don't have it, am I right?  No? Ok. Well, everything else is fair game.  Think building-wise, think academics, think demographics, think budgetary, think aesthetics, think faculty, think anything and everything related to our school. What would you like to give the Oak for the holidays?  As always, expound on your answer.