Tag: school

I am working on another writing assignment for ENG101 – this time it’s on blogging. The purpose of the paper is to give a novice reader an introduction to blogging, and how to go about setting forth in writing a blog.

Here is a rough form of the paper, which is due tonight. Feel free to offer suggestions and criticisms.

Everyone is getting connected these days. What used to be available to a few is now being brought to the masses; the digital divide is shrinking. As these new users to the Internet hop onto the web, they start discovering the world around them, and start discovering the electronic world that they never knew existed. In these trips into the unknown, they may discover a variety of social and networking websites, where they will sign up, and meet friends and even make a few new acquaintances. Many, flock to social networking sites such as MySpace. It is here that many of these new users discover a word that they have never seen or heard before – blog.

A recent newcomer to MySpace had found this portion of their Internet profile, and wondered what a blog was, and had even questioned this when they posted their first entry, unwittingly answering their own question. A blog is simply a place where a person can write, and share a multitude of ideas so that world may see and even comment on what one has to say. A blog is nothing more than an Internet journal.

While there may be several electronics papers and publications on the term, there is no set defining point, no clear history of where blogging began. The best source found on the topic, or at least the most read and most inclusive, Wikipedia, doesn’t even have a clue as to a particular point at which blogging came about and developed into what it has become today. While most of the history is speculative, it has been widely agreed upon that blogging stems from someone making use of the old Usenet and Bulletin Board Systems of yore, and posting a writing.

The term blog comes from the word weblog, a word coined by a gentleman named Jorn Barger. Barger created the word to describe how he “logged onto the web” and journalized his trips, findings, and studies. Two years following the creation of weblog, Peter Merholz broke the word into two words on his web site, creating the phrase “we blog.” Soon after, the term blog was taken into its own.

Up until this point, for anyone to blog, they had to buy and serve up their own sites. This was soon changed with the creation of blog hosts such as Xanga, Open Diary, LiveJournal and Blogger. Nowadays, one can find a blog just about anywhere, and find the resources to blog just as easily. In order to blog all one needs is a computer, access to the Internet, and a place to post. The process can be quite easy and painless, or can take on hours of research and coding; depending upon the type of blog one would want to create. Here, I will show how to get started in the world of blogging with no cost, and very little effort.

Choose a Host

First, one must choose a place to blog. For ease of use I would suggest that a newcomer try a simple web-based service (meaning there is no software to download, and all posts are written directly through an Internet browser); such as Yahoo!’s 360°, MSN’s Live Spaces, or MySpace. These sites are social networking sites as well, and chances are great that a few friends or family may already be using these services; plus these sites have easy invitation options if one desires to bring someone else new into this world. Another advantage to starting with either Yahoo! or MSN is that chances are likely that the new user has an email account with one of the respective companies, so basic use will be similar, and usernames & passwords can be the same. Advantage to MySpace may be that the new user is an adult who has a child that uses MySpace – this will help the adult enter into the world that the child is walking in.

After making the choice of one of these services, or any for that matter, there is a process where the user can set-up his or her profile. Information provided by the user is wholly upon his/her discretion or preference. One can have the ability of telling his/her name, age, sex, orientation and so on. One only has to offer as little or as much information as he/she feels comfortable with. Somewhere during this process may also be a point where the user is asked about security permissions – whether the user wants certain aspects about his/her profile to be seen, as well as his/her blog. Typically these security settings are set as defaults, and can be over-ridden during the post of a blog entry; however this is not always the case. The user must make sure to read the security settings before committing if he/she has any fear of letting too much about themselves being shown.

Far more advanced security settings can be taken advantage of with other blog hosting services, such as LiveJournal, which shall be mentioned later. For the time being, the simple model of Yahoo!, MSN, and MySpace shall be used.

Writing the Entry

After finding a place to write, the user must then decide upon what to write about. This can be anything imaginable. The only limitations placed on the content of the blog entry would be any by the host (such as possible adult content, threats toward another life, etc.) or the writer. Many write about their day to day life. Others write blogs on a particular subject. At any rate, one may write whatever they would like.

Advanced Blogging

Another common feature among blogs is the ability to embed media – to copy into the post a picture, music, or even a video. With this capability the blog becomes even more of an informal journal or scrapbook. These abilities have also led way to the creation of other blog formats, such as vlogs (video blogs), photo-blogging, and podcasting (term named for “mp3 broadcasts”; where the creator records a talk-show of his/her own with the intent of it being played back on a computer or mp3-player, i.e.: iPod.)

One may go into the arts of vlogging, podcasting, and photo-blogging with little to no expense as well. These methods of blogging, however, are more time-consuming depending upon how in depth the creator of the material wishes to be. These forms thrive primarily using more advanced services that can handle all forms at once; or may require the use of multiple services. Before one dives into these forms, it may be advisable to finely tune the simpler blogging skills, and move up, or graduate from Yahoo, MSN or MySpace. (MySpace may still be used for certain aspects of the advanced, and is very much a good starting point before going farther. MySpace supports a video and photo sharing platform which is easy to
use, and is advancing at a fairly rapid rate. MySpace will also continue to serve as a portal for people to find content elsewhere, seeing as the name is well-known.)

As mentioned previously, one blog (written) host available to the masses is LiveJournal. LiveJournal offers heightened security and customizable levels for viewers. One may set several levels of “friends” or readers within categories, and then give permission to only that level to read a particular post. LiveJournal also offers RSS (Real Simple Syndication) features (as do the aforementioned simpler sites – LiveJournal, however has been, in the author’s experience, more reliable than the other sites) where a person can read all public entries via an RSS reader or their email (web-based or client-side; i.e.: Outlook, Netscape, Thunderbird, etc.) LiveJournal also supports client-side applications that allow for a user to run a program locally in which to write a blog, and then posts to the site later, without the need of operating through an Internet browser. Other additional features are available through LiveJournal with purchase of membership. Similar services include DeadJournal, Greatest Journal, and Blurty.

Another writing from a notebook, transcribed later…
5:54p.m. I got here late, in comparison to usual. And Laura is early. She just arrived.
Well, so far, including me, six students are here.
I ran to one of the labs a few minutes ago in order to print-off my blogging draft.
Yay! We just got an an in-class assignment from two? three? weeks ago. I got a 10/10 without any corrections on my paper. It was a response to To Bid the World Farewell.
We’re receiving a one sheet handout on APA documentation. I left my manual at home. Left it there for Diana to use for tonight. She has a paper due.
Taking roll now. 6:04p.m.
I had received an email from that Dan Cawley guy of Quick Clicks. Oh, I haven’t mentioned anything on Quick Clicks, or the email I sent. I’ll have to get back to that later.
Laura’s going over the APA cheat-sheet. Mentioning the troubles of citing we-resources. Web-resources can be a total pain. Reason being is that all  the information needed for citation isn’t necessarily there.
6:11p.m. She’s drawing examples on the board now. We’ve taken these notes before. I have no idea what the date was. I failed to date that page. I believe that it was week three. I dunno. I’ll have to research that more to find out. What’s sad is that when I took the notes, I failed to capture everything that was written on the board. I did that primarily because the material was either common knowledge at this point in our educational career; or the material is covered in greater depth in the APA manual.
6:17p.m. Just finished the notes on the board and doing a recap/Q&A. No Q’s though. All A’s. We really don’t ask many questions. Now she’s mentioning the citation websites again. I could only find one – can’t remember the URL. It worked o.k. I don’t know if I’ll use it again.
Gearing up for the co-edit of the papers. OOPS! Two forgot theirs!
(BREAK FOR READING OF ANOTHER STUDENT PAPER)
I just read instructions on how to plumb a house. I can’t say that it was in-depth. It was a good try. Poor guy. I hope he makes it.
6:30p.m. I’m not really participating in the co-edit process. I’m not going to get any decent criticisms anyway.
6:34p.m. Oh, I am bored. Well, one good thing does come from this – I am writing!
Kinda looks like it might rain. Looks overcast.
I can’t believe that I got a spot in the parking lot. It was a miraculous feat! I slid in her at like ten till six, and actually found a spot! Last parking place on the side row. I almost missed it. I quickly backed up and pulled in.
6:39p.m. and we’re readying for break. Final paper will be comparison/contrast. I wonder if I should polish off that paper I wrote last quarter. It was interesting. Well, break. No, wait! Dismissed! Awesome!

A short while ago, I posted a paper that I was submitting as an assignment in ENG101. I have received that paper with suggestions and corrections made by my instructor. I am now re-posting that paper, with her suggestions and corrections made. Additions, corrections, etc. shall be colored purple. As it stood, I received a B for my work. I am pleased.

 

An Extended Definition of Borderline Personality Disorder:

Navigating The Labyrinth

Jeremiah Hall Palmer

ENG101

Sullivan University

 

A room. A large room. Not just any room – an expansive room, filled with the absence of light. The room is familiar, and yet, there is something very unsettling about it. The room change, shifts, reconstructs itself. All the basic elements are there – walls, doors, ceilings, floors – everything familiar and known is present. The room changes. The doorway that had been only a few feet away from you has now somehow gone ten feet away, and leads to somewhere else. The room changes. The labyrinth grows. You are lost in the maze of darkness, and everything that you should know about the room proves incorrect, yet at other instances all logic prevails, and a bit of light may be shed and you find your way.  [Avoid shift to 2nd person]

 

While the analogy above may sound more like a partial synopsis of The Navidson Record in the novel House of Leaves (Danielewski, 2000), its purpose is to serve as a definition of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) – and what the sufferers; meaning the person having the symptoms and diagnosis of the mental syndrome; as well as the persons within the life of the diagnosed experience.

 

According the American Psychological Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV) [italicize title], Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) as a condition where a person’s mentality and emotions vary from the norm by showing instability in overall behavior, self-image, identity, mood, relationships, and the classification of things in terms “black and white”, or “right or wrong.” These aspects are further outlined in the criteria listed in the DSM-IV, and are offered as a guideline for possible diagnosis, where a person suffering from BPD will show five of the nine listed specific symptoms. (APA, 2004)

 

Commonly, the BP has issues with interpersonal relationships. This causes tremendous troubles for both the BP and the non-BP his or her associates. The BP may exhibit a lack of trust in the non-BP, and show violent or irregular changes in attitude toward the non-BP. Reasons for these trust and anger issues may vary, and typically will, for the issue lies deep within the BP’s previous life experiences. The BP may have been a victim of some sort of abuse, be it emotional, physical, or sexual (Wikipedia, 2007) [Wikipedia is not a credible source. Can you document the info from a better source?]. These experiences then influence the attitude of the BP, and the feelings get applied toward the non-BP. This transgression is not done intentionally; meaning that the BP truly wishes to behave in this manner; however, the attitude is brought about as a defense mechanism. The BP has been put on edge – a high alert— and looks for any sign that they he or she might be hurt once more.

 

The walls, the doors, the floorsare all familiar elements of this room. But something is different; something changes; the room has gotten bigger. The doors are further farther away.

 

A BP [This abbreviation seems impersonal] can enter into a relationship not expecting anything more than what any other person may expect. Things may seem fine or normal for a period of time. Then the BP will start looking for the signs (Harvard, June 2006). The non-BP may make the normal changes within their attitude as everyone is susceptible to doing. This simple change may scare the BP, therefore causing a sudden rift in their attitude, causing a change in the way they he or she [keep this all singular] looks at things, and in turn causing a change in how the non-BP sees their his or her friend/partner.

 

When people enter into a relationship, they typically show all of their good points, and get comfortable with one another before letting their lesser points slide in. One may be dating a person for a few weeks, going out to dinners and movies, and showing full proper manners, and then there will come that one night where someone breaks. While this example may be seem a bit stretched overstated, it does show how one changes their appearance over time, until they feel comfortable with the other. This simple thing, however, may in fact be just enough to make a BP start looking at the non-BP in a different light.

 

“My ex had terrible gas,” the BP may think, and then start looking for signs and other attributes that this non- has with their his or her former partner. This new non-BP, who has only broken wind, has now become “like the others.” […so it’s taken very personally?]

 

Abandonment is also a strong fear of BP’s. Feelings of abandonment stretch outside the walls of a close coupled relationship, and may involve relationships shared among friends or family. These feelings of abandonment may stem to th
e root of the BP’s psychosis, or may have come resulted as symptoms of the BPD. In the flatulent example aforementioned, the BP may have eventually gone too far in assigning negative attributes to the non-, and the non- simply grew tired of this poor soul’s baggage and left. Whether the non- left on good terms or abruptly left the relationship makes no difference to the BP – they were he or she was for all intensive intents and purposes, abandoned. The BP was abandoned because the non- just couldn’t take the changes in personality. The non- had been drawn into the BP’s labyrinth, grew scared, and finally found the door behind them, and ran out.

 

The room is very dark and grows darker still. The BP searches for a way out. The BP may become, or may have been long since long been suicidal. Their His or her life is seems empty. Nobody sticks around, not a single soul in the world for them, no one to love or trust. Sadly, among 8-10% of BPs find suicide as their way out of this maddening maze (Wikipedia, 2007). Still more Others turn to other a variety of destructive behaviors such as drug abuse, alcoholism, promiscuity, and so on, if they haven’t already (Harvard, June 2006). Thankfully, the majority searches for a light.

 

In the search for a way to light this dark room, the BP may actively search for friends. During this search, the BP will also be desperately searching for various ways to gain approval of the people around them him/herself. In the desperate acts of approval seeking, the BP may be viewed as child-like, constantly finding inappropriate times to interject, or add to a conversation, sharing experiences which may have no light on a particular subject, following people, consistent rambling, displayinghyperactivity, and so on. Due to this behavior the BP may just drive the nons- away, thus fulfilling their fears of abandonment once again. A vicious cycle has come complete again, and then it starts once more.

 

BPs may find light, however, through therapy. Therapy, however, can become just as troubling as the disorder.

 

The Grand Hall, just down the corridor from the large darkened room. Even darker. Still no light. [series of fragments] A large spiral staircase in the center. The staircase, more frightening, leads to the depths of the issue.

 

Somewhere along the way, the BP may have been diagnosed, or they may just realize that their symptoms deserve attention, so they seek therapy; where they shall become diagnosed as a person suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder, if not many more psychological disorders (Harvard, 2006) [This sentence needs work]. In either case the BP has most likely come to therapy, entered The Grand Hall, to receive help with the symptoms – the trust issues, the anxiety and the depression. The counselor (inclusive of therapist, psychiatrist, and or psychologist) leads them to the staircase – the disorder itself. This long dark and twisting shaft is lined with many steps, many symptoms. The hole that they lead down is the disorder, and the depth of the hole, the number of steps leading down, can only be influenced by how the BP thinks and chooses to interpret things. A It is a scary walkway to look at for the BP, and the counselor. Truth be told, the counselors are typically more fearful of the treatment than the BP (Harvard, 2007). [Why?]

 

Enter the minotaur – the stigma of this labyrinth known as Borderline Personality Disorder.

 

With all the knowledge that counselors have of BPD, they have the misfortune of having to expect anything and everything from the patient. The counselors know the definition of BPD: unsettling and unstable moods, rage, suicidal thoughts, self-injury, fears of abandonment, intimacy issues, and over-all overall volatile behavior (Harvard, 2007). With this information, it’s hard to enter into a session without some slight. More difficult still, is resolving the nature of the disorder. Personality disorders are just that – a problem entwined within a personality, the very being of a person. Defining a line between the being and the human is difficult, if not nearly impossible. The problem is magnified where the personality is that of a borderline nature, meaning it can change randomly at any given moment, as opposed to its akin, Bipolar Disorder, which changes on a more patterned cyclic rate (Wikipedia, 2007). [To continue with illustrative efforts, bipolar persons are more like funhouses. The journey may be scary and fun, and ther
e is a definite end to the cycle before you one re-enters.]

 

The stigma then plays into the BP’s psychosis; the counselor has failed the BP. There is no help or hope. Abandonment, yet again. [fragment]

 

There have, however, been several good attempts at therapy, yet these styles of therapy do not show definitive solutions for the disorder. Therapy for the BP has been tried in one–on–one sessions, as well as in group sessions such as groups of Bps being counseled, or couples therapy for the BP and non-BP partners. Two forms of therapy have shown good response in BPD diagnosed patients. One therapy style, Schema-Focused Therapy (focuses on childhood, daily life, emotion and defining thereof), has shown full recovery of some patients after a four-year term, while having a larger number “showing clinically significant improvement.” Dialectical behavioral therapy (logic reasoning, weighing and exchanging points and ideas) has shown some use benefit in an effort to stop suicidal and self-injury tendencies, and is more welcomed by BPs in opposition of to traditional psychoanalysis; however, dialectical therapy has yet to prove any effectiveness in treatment of BPD. (Harvard, June 2006)

 

There are no medications for BPD itself; whereas, but a BP can be medicated for certain symptoms or for a concurrent mental health disorder. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) have been used to aid in the improvement of anxiety and depression. Antipsychotics have also been tried in attempts to alleviate impulsivity and suicidal attempts. Anticonvulsants have been used as well, and have shown effects in stabilizing the mood of BPs. (Harvard, July 2006)

 

Borderline Personality Disorder is an enigma to everyone involved. A — a large puzzle without a solution. A — a maze without a map. A — a deep dark labyrinth. Though the single sufferer may never be completely cured (Harvard, July 2006), they he or she may, however, through therapy and the determined support of trusting friends and partners, be able to make it through life without having the house cave in on them him/herself. [This is a very effective definition of a complex diagnosis.]

 

 

References

American Psychiatric Association, (2004). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR (Text Revision). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Publishing.

Borderline Personality Disorder. (2007). In Wikipedia [Web]. Retrieved July 6, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borderline_personality_disorder

Danielewski, M (2000). House of Leaves. Toronto, Canada: Random House.

Harvard Health Publications, (2007, January).The stigma of borderline personality. Harvard Mental Health Letter. 6.

Harvard Health Publications, (2006, July).Borderline personality disorder: Treatment. Harvard Mental Health Letter. 3-5.

Harvard Health Publications, (2006, June).Borderline perosnality disorder: Origins and symptoms. Harvard Mental Health Letter. 22, 1-3.

Yep, another entry from a notebook – I didn’t date this one. I believe it to be either July 9, or 16…
So, I am sitting in the classroom and am only one of two persons present at this time. Three other students have stopped in and dropped off their texts and notebooks.
I sit in the rear of the classroom, beside a window. Well, a wall of windows, really. A glass wall I suppose you could say. A beautiful view looking down at the grounds. The lawn is beautiful and green, striped as well. I wonder how difficult it is for the landscapers to mow that lawn and keep an evenly striped pattern with so many trees out there. I can count twenty-plus trees through the view of this one pane of glass. I wonder how many trees lie on the entire campus grounds.
Another student has entered.
Now I am the only one present in the room. Wait–spoke too soon. One of the book’s owners has arrived. He seems to be an interesting fellow. I had to contain my laughter last week, when he questioned something that I thought was common knowledge. I believe the topic had been on “emo.” He had no clue what “emo” was, and was astounded when he heard of the dress and mannerisms of an “emo” person.
I’ll tell you one thing – there are a wide variety of personalities here.
It’s 5:45p.m. Fifteen minutes until class begins.
One student is hoping we get dismissed early.
I have yet to stay past nine o’clock in any of my classes.
That student and another are speculating what our evening will be like.
Nine of us now. Nine minutes to do to the six o’clock hour.
I have no real idea as to what I am doing at this moment.
Ah, one student brought their notebook PC. I wish mine wasn’t in pawn. I’d be bringing it to class as well. Oh well, when the quarter is nearly over, I shall have it again.
Six minutes now. Everyone looks so enthusiastic. Sarcasm. Such a wonderful thing. I really need to sit down and set out a plan when it comes to my notebooks and other materials for class.
Four minutes now.
Men are outside with leaf blowers, clearing the walks of grass clippings.
Two minutes.
Still nine students. No instructor.
I hate this notebook. Well, I have a strong disliking for it. Spiral-bound and no perforations.
Ah, the teacher has arrived, with thirty seconds to spare. She’s asked if anyone read an article that was handed out last week. Everyone shakes his/her head. I read it last week…

Yes, another handwritten entry, typed up later….
It is 5:33p.m. I am the only one in the room. There is only evidence of one other student thus far.
In other news, Diana is roaming the school. I got to eCampus, and when she came out, she informed me that Crystal would meet us at Sullivan and pick the kids up, so that she could come here and do homework. I don’t know whether Crystal has made it yet, for I have left Diana and the children outside, so that I may sit and wait for class to begin.
5:37p.m. Diana just came to tell me she’d be working in 235/236.
I am starving. I really haven’t eaten anything today. I had one of those stupid “Instant Lunches.”
5:40p.m. Twenty minutes. I can hardly contain my excitement.
So, I wonder where everyone is. They usually start filing in by now.  Maybe we just won’t have a class tonight. That would be awesome. Of course, it would be ridiculous for anyone to miss the night before loan overages are released. That’s one of the main reasons why I am here tonight. Well, that and I truly enjoy coming to class. I know – I’m weird.
5:45p.m. Tick-tock-tick-tock. Really, no ticking or tocking. Battery operated clocks. No real sound for that. I am having so much fun. I shiver with anticip–
–ation.
So, I’m supposed to be writing a paper on how one blogs. I have no idea how that will be interesting. It may prove to be difficult. The idea is that I am giving a process analysis. I think I’ll start by giving a brief history of blogging, and then list the types/variations, and choices of blog hosts one is faced with. Then I’ll go into the writing and posting process. I may then try to go into how blogs are submitted into searches and databases. I dunno. Sounds interesting to me anyway.
5:47p.m. and still no other signs of life. This is fairly odd. I wonder where that one talkative girl is. She’s here all day on Mondays. She has morning classes and this evening class. I can’t remember how many classes she said she was taking.
5:55p.m. The one guy popped in and back out. So, once again, I am the only person in the room.
5:59p.m. Just us two guys.
6:00p.m. Nobody. Hmmm….
6:01p.m. Ah, Laura is here. And it’s just us. Two students and a teacher. Well, I guess we really won’t be doing much of anything tonight. We’ll see in a few.
6:05p.m. Diana popped in – she told me she had to find another lab, for the one she picked was being used.

The following entry was originally written in class, and was transcribed at a later date.
I am sitting in the classroom. Currently I am one of two people occupying the room. But that is no matter – at least not a matter worthy of writing about. This makes the third? fourth? fifth? time that I have sat down in a class and started writing. The purpose of these writings are so that I may have more material to place in my blogs. I have yet to post anything. Maybe tonight. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe never. I hate typing from my handwritten notes and journals.
A little less than fifteen minutes until the beginning of class.
I drew a smiley on the dry-erase board in the rear of the classroom. I wonder if anyone will notice.
I posted the text from the assignment I am turning in tonight.
Viewable on LJ and MySpace.
I am one of five students now.
I really didn’t wan to leave home this evening. I’m glad I did. I enjoy sitting in a class. School is fun.
Oh, dear God. I think that I have the longest paper in the class. One student just said that his paper two pages. One is guessing that hers is three and one-half pages – guessing because they didn’t format it correctly. My paper is ten pages.
I am tired. And hungry. And thirsty.
I left my bottle of Dasani in the car. Maybe I’ll get it in an hour.
Four minutes.
It seems that (based upon what I am overhearing) I am the only person in the class who gives a shit.
One minute. The instructor has entered.
One of five. The sixth is out there somewhere. Who knows what happened to the other five, or was it six?
Ah, two minutes passed the hour, and we have taken roll.
Turned in the papers.
Ah, number six just joined us. Four minutes passed the hour.
————-
6:57p.m. So we’re taking a break now. We’ve spent the last hour discussing the possibilities of the next writing assignment. What fun.
Now there is a discussion about a couple of teens who stole a cruiser in Frankfort, or something like that. The student that guesses that they wrote three pages apparently knows one of the teens. Small world.
So, now we’re getting back to work.
————-
Class dismissed at 7:50p.m.

So, I am supposed to be coming up with a paper for ENG101/Composition I.
I have got my idea. I have got an outline of sorts. I found some reference materials. All I need to do is sit down and start writing. Simple enough. For some reason, I haven’t though.
I’m going to be writing about blogging.
Fun.
Yes, I chose the topic. Freely. My own choice.
Here’s the catch. It’s a process analysis; meaning I am to give instruction on how to, and/or instruction on how it is done.
Yep. I’m crazy.
So, like, I’m going to write the paper for the novice, who has no clue as to what blogging is, or what the background is, or blah blah blah….
I may be in over my head. But, hey, I like a challenge.