Feedback Thoughts

Keep Calm and Carry On by Karen Arnold

Getting feedback:

Using Harsh Feedback to Fuel Your Career

Why Rejection Hurts and What to Do About It

Immediately these articles spoke out to me because they relate to situations I deal with now and will deal with in the future for my Advertising career. There are times when I will get brutal feedback and even get rejected for my ideas and of course it hurts, but there are ways of going about handling these situations.

Getting harsh feedback and even getting rejected can fuel a motivation you never knew you had within. “We overcome a hurdle and grow stronger and more confident as a result,” said William Treseder. The tips mentioned, such as do not demonalize and embracing emotions, are things I think about but never really follow through with. Though rejection may hurt, knowing how to limit your feelings will help stabilize a quicker recovery. It’s a new year, so a fresh mindset couldn’t hurt.

Giving feedback:

The Difference between Praise That Promotes Narcissism vs. Healthy Self-Esteem

Key Characteristics of Better Learning Feedback

A characteristic that caught my eye the most is to be transparent and tangible; tangible being the key word here. I cannot even count the numerous times I have received feedback on things I frankly can’t do anything about. Being tangible is so vital when critiquing. It has to be approachable and make sense.

Not only does tangibility factor into a feedback, but narcissism is also an issue. There’s a tendency to get aggressive and violent, and no one should grow up bottling those emotions. Like the article states, narcissism can lead to failure. Being cautious of how you word things can make a world of difference. It's okay to criticize, but do it in a way that is helpful. Do not be a jerk. 

Tech Tip: Weather Widget

Sun & Moon by johnhain

I added a weather widget to my page, so if you are ever curious look to the right and you can find Norman's temperature there!


How to: Weather Widget in Your Blog

Week 2 Storytelling: Echo

Abandoned dog by Alexas_Fotos

One late night, Echo escaped her backyard to wander the small town. She is known to be very curious and vocal when things are astray; however, she left without making a peep. After walking for a few hours through ominous back roads Echo discovered she got caught up in the moment and somehow ended up far away from home. As she tried to retrace her steps, Echo did not notice the midnight blue truck coming right at her.

BOOM.

The reckless driver didn’t even care to stop and check if she was okay.

The next morning a local in the next town over noticed wounded Echo on her way to work. Echo’s dog tag only said her name with no address or phone number to contact, so the stranger graciously swooped Echo up and dropped her off at the nearest animal shelter. Echo suffered severe injuries to her hind legs and rear end. One of her legs were not functional anymore because of the collision, so the doctors at the shelter opted to amputate it.

What was once bright and radiant golden, her whole body now appears gloomy and burnt orange. Echo was no longer the cheerful and friendly dog she once was. No smiles or excited barks. No more curiosity.

Days pass and Echo was slowly but surely recovering. She hobbled everywhere and her cuts are now just scabs. Her mood lifted ever so slightly, but she was still stuck in a sad rut. Soon enough Echo was put up for adoption because her owners never came to claim her. Maybe they did not recognize her or maybe they did not care enough to search for her; that is still a mystery.

A countless amount of people came and searched for a perfect puppy to take home, but no one seemed to care for the old mutts, much less a disabled one. All Echo wanted was a little attention. She would purposely sit against the cage in the most viewable area, but no one notices her. She let out a faint whimper every time someone walked right by her cage. Echo’s lost hope and now lay hidden in the back.

One time, a 6 year-old boy came up to her cage and screamed, “Is anyone here?” Echo barked excitedly in response and clumsily ran up to the boy. He sat down right in front of Echo’s cell. He started telling her a story about a time he had a dog just like her and how she died of old age. The little boy got up and asked the workers if he could play with her, and immediately they opened up the cage for him. This was the happiest Echo has been in months. Finally the affection she has been patiently waiting for.

The little boy’s mom came up to him and asked if he has found any dog that he liked. He frantically tried to convince his mother that he wanted Echo, but she profoundly was hesitant. She did not want him to have a dog so old and disabled. The boy lost the fight and they left empty handed… and Echo remained.

Though Echo did not understand what was being said, she knew she was rejected. She got her hopes up to just be left alone again.

A few weeks go by and one day an elderly man came in and stood by Echo’s cage. Echo vaguely looked up for a second then put her head back down. She didn’t think he was interested in her.

“Why do you hide from me?” he asked.

Echo looked up again realizing he was speaking to her. She walked over cautiously and let him pet her head. He mumbled some words to a worker nearby, and they slowly took her out of the cage. The man put a leash on Echo, and she thought she was just going for a walk. Little did Echo know, she was moving to her forever home.

Bibliography: Ovid’s Metamorphoses, Echo sees Narcissus by Tony Kline

Author’s Note: I decided to play with the characteristics that the original Echo had, but change her into a dog. Echo is disabled, lonely, yearned for attention/affection, and got rejected. This is a more modern take and incorporates a completely different location. I put in a few quotes such as “Is anyone here?” to resemble the original version. Most importantly, instead of Echo rotting away I wanted her to have a happier ending.

Reading Notes: Ovid’s Metamorphoses, Part B

Echo and Narcissus by John William Waterhouse in 1903

Interrupting the snakes and magically changing sex was a strange intro to grasp. New characters pop up out of nowhere.

The section about Echo’s speech was my favorite to read thus far. The idea is genius! Though she is only able to repeat the last words spoken, she makes an impact with what she can say. It must be lonely waiting for Narcissus to speak first then to have him reject her once he sees her. Her poor and helpless soul. I can possible change this up and instead of an echo I could have a loyal dog who always reciprocates love and affection.

There are many emotions expressed but vain and pain seem to reappear the most. Dated words such as “quenched” and “tomb” are used.

Again things are very described with great details. Can create an image in my head instead of just reading countless words.

Women seem to get taken advantage of for their beauty and bodies a lot.


Bibliography: Ovid’s Metamorphoses by Tony Kline

Reading Notes: Ovid’s Metamorphoses, Part A

This is speaking about all kinds of gods and goddesses. There are many run-on descriptions; the sentence can take up to four to five lines. Leaves, dirt, shore, air, and etc. are written about as though they are alive and moving.

The first rape part threw me off big time. I did not understand what was happening. The second occurrence of rape also did not seem necessary or maybe it should not be called rape. Why is there no consent here…

The name Phoebus reminds me of Phoebe on Friends. I like the section in The Palace of the Sun where it talks about Day, Hour, Winter, and Autumn as people. I can just imagine them in my head. Having a spinoff of those characters would be cool to read.

Earth Destructed by PeteLinforth

Earth Complains really interested me because there are so many issues happening on real earth and in a way earth does deserve to complain. All the destruction humans cause is slowly putting the world in shambles. The dialogue for Earth’s complaint could actually be a real concern. Earth is going to die if we don’t do anything to fix our mistakes.

Bibliography: Ovid’s Metamorphoses by Tony Kline