W15 Final Blog Posting

I regards to how I feel this course has helped me as a writer, I feel that it has forced me to look at a single topic more in depth that I have in the past. It hasn't so much changed my writing styles or tendencies as it has challenged them. As I've stated numerous times, I usually wait until have had time to think about the paper and possible themes or directions to go with it before writing. Unfortunately this class has forced me to write prematurely. I think there have been some papers throughout the semester I could have written better if I wasn't forced to write about every little detail. By the time I get to my final draft I feel as though I'm repeating things I've said numerous times before and I don't feel my writing is as genuine - almost as if its too rehearsed.
There are several things I would change about this class. I would use blackboard and gradebook instead of a blog to communicate with students. It has a better structure and is more convenient for the student. Also the ability to always have access to my grade would be nice. I feel that it is something I am working for therefore I have the right to see it on m terms.
I also wouldn't have blog postings. I feel like their extra busy work. No blog post really opened up new doors for my writing it just seems like another step that wasn't necessary.
I would also change the entire goal of the class, which is probably something that a certain teacher doesn't have control over. I understand writing on big paper is important and all but I feel like the majority of the class would benefit from writing smaller papers showcasing many different styles.
One of my favorite things about the class are the conferences. I think they give the student a good direction in between first and final draft. I would suggest implementing more of them.

W14 Pre-Writing for Portfolio Reflection

In response to the question of what my peice of data is, in regards to my mini-ethnography research, my answer would be reseaching the fieldsite. I enjoy this part of the experience more tan the rest because it gave me the ability to actuall be a part of what I was writing about. Since I have been an insider for so long, I had begun to take things about my fieldsite and subculture for granted, though researching my feildsite more in depth allowed me to see it for more than it was. I began to notice some of the things that had begun to go without notice. Researching my fieldsite also allowed me to interact within the subculture again, as I once had done. Oe of the best ways to learn is to experience something first hand, being the reason I enjoyed this part of the process more than the rest.

Cut Up

Walking into the stadium you could feel the excitement and looking around you saw a sea of red. This sea was already making a lot of noise and I could hardly hear myself think./ There wasn't a vacant seat and I took great pride in allowing that transformation to take place. I wanted to go out with a bang. I didn't want to just run through the same boring routine the people had seen time and time before. I wanted to do something memorable.

Sub-titles

History of the Aquatic Industry
Back to the Basics
-brief history of the aquatic industry

How to Save a Life (fray song)
-focus on the safety aspects of the field

The Watering Hole
-section on the pool facility itself and the machanics involved

Waterproof
-tba

Walking on Water
-tba
-safety aspects, lifeguarding

Possible Titles

Swimming into a Subculture

Diving into a Subculture

Breaking the Surface

You Only Feel Wet When You're Out of the Water

........

Experiences W13

In regards to my most significant experience while researching my subculture, I must first say that I started my research prior to this assignment. Being involved within the subculture has allowed me to observe it for many years leading up to this assignment.
This is a quick story but one that show the closeness of the subculture. I swam and dove throughout my high school career and had great success while doing so. I was know around the entire community for my abilities within the sport. I set records that had never before been seen and have yet to be defeated. After putting my heart and soul into the sport as well as the program for so many years, my final home competition laid before my. Senior night had finally arrived the night I never wanted to see. I had be upset about it for weeks ahead of time knowing that this would be the last time I would compete at my home pool. A pool that I had made mine. First competition there were 2 fans in the audience, by my senior night there wasn't a vacant seat and I took great pride in allowing that transformation to take place. I wanted to go out with a bang. I didn't want to just run through the same boring routine the people had seen time and time before. I wanted to do something memorable. I decided that for my last dive I was going to do a can-opener (a dive that makes an enormous splash and is illegal in competition). I had no opponent that night so my undefeated streak couldn't be taken away. I knew the official personally and was assure that I wouldn't be disqualified considering the circumstances. I did my first 5 of 6 dives and then before my final dive I stood at the end of the board I had leaped from so many times and talked directly to the crowd and my team. I thanked them for the years of support and mentioned several individuals that I owed a lot to. Trying to hold back a pool of tears I thanked my two best friends as well as made some comments about the future of the program and prepared for my final dive ever. I said that I wanted to go out with a bang but didn't tell the crowd anything more than that. The official dive was announced, I took my starting position, looked up at the crowd I had drawn and smiled, then started my approach left the board for the last time and then made the biggest and most unexpected splash. Underwater I could hear the crowd go wild. I came out of the water and was amazed that I, one person, could draw such a response. The judged gave me straight tens, a perfect score, out of respect. I got out of the water only to see my team in tears and I joined them in on last celebration. It was the talk of the town for several days following.
It is a testament to not only my dedication but also the closeness of the community to understand what I was doing and except it as a statement of my thanks to them. For the judges to throw a perfect score out of respect for the work I had done to overhaul the program. The team I had lead for 4 years to share to bittersweet feeling I had held within me and to understand how much they and the sport meant to me. All of this show the incredible closeness that lies within the community. Some say blood is thicker than water; not in the case of this community.

6 Word Memior

About me: Living to exceed my own expectations

About subculture of aquatics (i.e. lifeguarding): Sitting on ours to save yours