Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Rufus Xavier Sarsaparilla or The Joy of Pronouns

You can teach a student a lesson for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives. ~Clay P. Bedford

I was editing something yesterday for another person, and she'd started three consecutive sentences with the H/H's names: John and Martha walked over to the store. John and Martha bought ice cream....

I laughingly told a friend I was online with at the time that this person needed to watch Rufus Xavier Sarsaparilla (one of my absolute favorite Schoolhouse Rock vids). So without further ado, allow me to share.



Oh, Schoolhouse Rock how I love you...

Speaking of school, Brandy commented yesterday that she's required to teach 180 days after I mentioned that we have 170 days. Let me clarify: I have to TEACH 170 days of lessons, but I'm required to have 180 days of school. The other ten days are for things like field trips and activities (just like in public school).

I'm still in shock that DD is in junior high.

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I was reading a book that I hope stays as good as it is right now throughout. It's fun and interesting and different (No, I'm not saying the title because it might end up sucking... if it stays consistent, I'll share when I finish). Anyway, it really inspired me to write again. I've had a rough week or two in writing where I'll open my file, put my hands on the keyboard and have nothing to say. A couple times I've tried to force words out, but it's been just awful.

But, after reading a bit on this book last night, I lay in bed and my mind came up with a TON of neat things to add, change and write about in one of my stories... nothing to do with the book I was reading, mind you, it just really put me in the mood to write again.

Authors -- does that happen to you?

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Your Brain is Organized



You like a lot of structure in your life, and you're good at getting things in order.

You have a good eye for details, and you are excellent at following difficult directions.

You are a natural planner, and you always feel a bit lost if you don't have a plan drawn up.

You like to have a routine and stick to it. Chaos stresses you out.



Yes... yes, that's all true.

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7 comments:

Maria Zannini said...

I've never seen this Schoolhouse Rock video. I looked it up and it was made in '77. That was a busy year for me. :o)

Ref: getting in the mood

I hate those periods when nothing comes out. But I know what you mean about something reigniting the spirit. For me, it's movie trailers. I don't know why. Something about those startling bits of teaser that puts my brain into overdrive.

Ceri Hebert said...

I <3 all Schoolhouse Rock videos. Brings back memories of Saturday mornings when I was young.

Yes, reading certain books makes me eager to write, especially when I read a YA book. But I'm trying to be good and finish what I've got started (though if I get a strong urge to write something new who am I to deny it?)

Love the rain?

Anonymous said...

One of the ways I combat writer's block is to work on more than one project at once. The other is to go out for a very long run. Chocolate always helps too. :-)

Great video!

Dru said...

I love schoolhouse rock and when they put it out on DVD, I immediately got my set.

I'm glad that reading the book inspired tidbits for your story.

Your Brain is Logical

You are a very facts and figures oriented person. You don't get clouded by emotion.

You like to understand how things work, and you're always collecting data of some sort.

You are a critical thinker. You are look at all the facts before you make a decision.

You aren't likely to change your mind once it's made up, but new facts could sway you - emotional appeals could not.

75% accurate.

Charity Tahmaseb said...

Isn't it funny about books and reading. I can read something and have it spark something else that's totally unrelated.

As for writing: try using your timer.

In the last eight months, I've trained myself so thoroughly to write for ~40 minutes or so over my lunch hour that I can't write any other way now. I was floundering on the weekends when I have all this so-called free time and wasn't getting anything done.

Then I started doing timed sessions of 40 minutes a couple of times a day and it clicked.

Brandy said...

I didn't mean to offend you yesterday, if I did, when commenting about the length of required teaching. I'm sorry.

Can't wait to hear about the book you're reading.

My Brain is Organized as well. It fits. It freakishly fits perfectly. *g*

I hope you have a nice day.

Tori Lennox said...

I don't remember ever seeing this Schoolhouse Rock video! I love it!!!