Letter to the future...

Another term down, just two more to go!

By now you are sitting here realizing two things, that this is going to be a lot of work and you are differently getting your value for your money in this class. So what hints might a past student have for you. Well I have a few.

-Do it all, yes it seems like a lot. Readings, posts, comments, beat, and then signing up for everything. Well they all build, once you have Delicious up all these new sights you just joined are easy to find. And since you have a gmail account they all funnel right into it (might be worth getting that Google stock). If you don't comment in others, they won't in yours. Plus as Manan pointed out  this is how the course really builds and lets us finally have a little freedom with our posts. Finally you will learn about some great programs that while they take some time now, will free up heaps in the future (Google Reader).

-Help out someone (or get help), I learned heaps from being the IT guy for a user without quite the experience I had, plus I expect they should be getting me a nice holiday present.

-Don't sweat the BRAND, yes it seems big (because it is). But I would suggest going with just your name for now, and keep it broad. You can do all that is asked and then rebuild once you know what your right livelihood is.

-Double dip, no reason to write a  beat on something you are not already researching for another class. Here is a great place to process your thoughts on readings or share info with your team mates from that other class. I double dipped and it saved me hours, plus it motivated me to do my work throughout the term rather than that last hectic week.

-Speak up on what you want to learn. This has been truly the first collaborative course I have been in at BGI. Christopher gives it more than lip service, and if you are not sure what is you want extra, he will have a few ideas.

Have fun with it, use the filters in gmail and follow everyones blog, even if you don't always read them all. Makes everyone feel better when they are starting out to have that level of support and increased social graph.
Tomas

Fish Story

Here is some email I got forwarded that reminded me of the holiday cheer I should be feeling rather than the papers I am writing.

A Fishy Story........



A guy who lives at Lake Conroe

(50 miles north of Houston ) saw a ball bouncing

around kind of strange in the lake and went to

investigate.

It turned out to be a flathead catfish that had

apparently tried to swallow a basketball which

became stuck in its mouth!!

The fish was totally exhausted from trying to

dive, but unable to, because the ball would

always bring him back up to the surface.

The guy tried numerous times to get the ball out,

but was unsuccessful. He finally had his wife cut

the ball in order to deflate it and release the hungry

catfish.

You probably wouldn't have believed this,

if you hadn't seen the following pictures:

 

 

Be kinder than necessary because everyone bites off more than they can chew sometime in life...

i will set the world on fire

i will set the world on fire: "

via http://homecoming.tumblr.com/page/3

"