Feedback Thoughts

Caption: Feedback or ?
Link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/37996646802@N01/14279306964/

I think feedback for the sake of feedback is helpful in some settings. In a working environment when a superior is giving feedback, I believe it is necessary and productive for the corporation. In a sporting environment, I believe a coach and peers have equal say in giving feedback because it helps the team in a significant way. In a classroom where peers are being forced to give feedback for a grade, I believe it is much less necessary and can actually be a little annoying at times. I have had few classmates be serious enough to have memorable things to say to me, but overall most peer feedback comments have been disappointing.

Recalibrating the Perfectionist Mind

This is another "strengths-based philosophy" article. I see where the author is going when talking about practicing with unrealistic expectations and being overly self-critical in a preparation process. Over thinking is something I do the most as a semi-perfectionist. When I swam in high school, I would think about my races way too much, and my coach would wonder in awe about why I couldn't do as well as I would in practice.

Overcoming the Fear of Feedback

This article reminded me of my internship this summer. We only worked 10 weeks, and so we had a performance review at the five week mark. The week before, I was over my head with anxiety thinking, "What is he going to say to me? Have I done the best I possibly could with what I've been given? Have I stayed long enough consistently?" Then, the day of my evaluation, my boss moved our meeting time up to nine instead of 3... if you can imagine, I was on pins and needles heading towards the conference room. When I walked in, however, my boss was all smiles and as he went through the evaluation there was not one negative thing to say about my work or interpersonal skills. I had worried for nothing, and the feedback was helpful.

Topic Brainstorm

Caption: The Tryll-ogy
Link: https://8tracks.com/piratemix/trylle

A story collection based off of Scheherazade and Arabian Nights

I can't seem to pry my thoughts away from Scheherazade and her heroic venture to tell the most titillating stories never before told. I think it would be interesting to write a collection of stories from the point of view of the Sultan as he finds his views on women changing due to the cleverness and thoughtfulness of Scheherazade as she spins her tales. Or perhaps a story can be made from the point of her childhood: when she was young and telling stories to her sister, and when her father first noticed that his daughter was "clever and courageous to the highest degree." This sentiment, even though it came from a father, had to have a background of action behind it.

A story collection based off of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

The Wizard of Oz, including Wicked  by Gregory Maguire along with the new animated movie Oz the Great and Powerful, allow for so much wiggle room for creation. If I used this for my project, I would want to write a beginnings story for the Cowardly Lion, the Tin Man, and the Scarecrow. Maybe the Tin Man was a traveling wood carver who did work for a witch, but she was not satisfied with his work and thus turned him to tin. Perhaps the Lion used to be courageous, but something happened which shattered his confidence. Many possibilities.

A story collection based off of the Andersen Fairy Tales

The Anderson Fairy Tales, such as The Princess and the Pea and The Emperors New Suit, have meaning behind them. To do a collection based off of these stories, I would need a little more time for preparation thinking. The stories could write themselves if the thought has been created beforehand. 

These would be best written by me in a different era. 

A story collection based off of the legend of Changelings

I read an excellent, young adult book series, the Trylle series, of which this legend reminds me. Since the changelings can end up anywhere, there are a plethora of locations which can be used. Also, new heroines/heroes can be created as well and allude to already existing stories of changelings. An example of this is The Kane Chronicles which alludes to the Percy Jackson Series by Rick Riordan.

Week 2 Story: The Lion's Share (cont.) or The Wolf's Share

Caption: Better in Numbers
Link: Wolf Pack Howling - SOUND ONLY!

“What a concept,” remarked the Jackal. The Jackal and the Wolf were not amused by the Lion’s choice to keep the late Stag to himself. They were hungry, and the Lion was using strength and ferocity to his advantage. The Fox had already left, so it was up to them to take back what belonged to them.

“Yes. It is true that we did most of the work for a meal that the Lion has clearly claimed for himself,” said the Wolf, “Let us come up with a plan to overpower him, as he believes that merely threatening us will keep us at bay.”

The Jackal, who had been angry enough to go to war with the Lion a few moments earlier, quickly remembered his size and disposition. He was overcome with a chilling cowardice. “Actually Wolf... I think you will need to do this alone. You are big, you are fast, and you are strong. I am nothing to be scared of, and the Lion will eat me as well as the Stag. Goodbye and good luck.” And with that the Jackal was gone.

“Now what will I do?” said the Wolf. I am big, I am fast, and I am strong, but by myself I am nothing against the Lion. But then, he had a realization. “Ah, yes, I am no match by myself. However, I am not the only wolf in the world. I have a pack. My pack is bigger, my pack is faster, and my pack is stronger. With them I will surely get my meal.”

The Lion had started his meal. He had barely eaten two bites when over the horizon came the Wolf.

“I see you did not understand me when I said that I would like to see anyone dare to touch the fourth quarter of the Stag with their paw. I meant by this that if you touch this meal, my meal, you will surely die,” the Lion said. The Wolf did not seem to be phased, however. “Why are you still here? Be gone, and allow me to eat in peace.”

At that moment, the Wolf began to step closer. Soon, there were more wolves behind him. Coming closer. Inching forward. The Wolf said to the Lion, “I will give you a choice. You can give me three times my share of the Stag, or my pack and I will attack you, swiftly, and you will die with no share in the Stag.” At this, the wolves had surrounded the Lion.

“Oh,” the Lion said, “You have called my bluff. Here is your share threefold.”

As he walked away, looking back the Lion thought to himself, “Sharing is an acceptable alternative to dying.”

- - -

Authors Note: In the original story, "The Lion's Share," the Fox, Jackal, Wolf, and Lion had just caught a Stag after hunting for a significant amount of time. When they had caught it, the Lion made the other three characters "quarter" the Stag presumably so they could split the bounty before them. However, after the food was ready to be taken, the Lion said this part is mine, and this part is mine, and this part is mine, and... oh yes, this part is mine as well. Goodbye. This prompted the Fox to walk away upset saying, "You may share the labours of the great, but you will not share the spoil". I thought, since we received the response from only one of the characters, it would be interesting to continue the story with the responses from the other two characters with an emphasis on the Wolf's reaction.

For Reference:
"The Lion's Share" from The Fables of Aesop by Joseph Jacobs (1894). Web Source.

Reading Notes: Aesop's Fables: The Lion

Caption: The Lion of Fables

Link: http://www.longlongtimeago.com/once-upon-a-time/fables/from-aesop/the-fox-and-the-lion/

Aesop's Fables: The Lion

Link: https://sites.google.com/view/mythfolkloreanthology/fables

The thing I like the most about an Aesop Fable is not the moral that comes at the end of the story but rather how the story seems to just appear. They need no more background than a simple sentence of introduction and the story begins as if it was always there. 

The stories are also shorter, but they convey a large message. Every word in an Aesop Fable is necessary and meaningful. There is very little fluff.

I also like that the characters come with a distinguishable personality. The personalities are divulged in such a way that it is clear who the foe/sly/victor/passerby is. 

Reading Options

Caption: All the reading.

Link: http://www.wafb.com/story/13065476/cheaper-than-buying-online-sites-offer-textbook-rentals

The Alice in Wonderland Unit

Link: http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/search/label/Unit%3A%20Alice%20in%20Wonderland

My mom used to read Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll to me every night in second grade, but I wasn't old enough to retain enough of the story to remember now. I think it would be interesting to go through and re-read a book that created so many good childhood memories.

The Brer Rabbit I Unit

Link: http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/search/label/Unit%3A%20Brer%20Rabbit%20I

My grandma taped Brer Rabbit the show when my mom was little, and she saved it for me to watch when I was small. This was also the debut of the song "Zippidy Doo Da" and my first introduction to someone who was not white. I enjoy African American folklore and would like to read through this unit.

The Arabian Nights Unit

Link: http://mythfolklore.blogspot.com/search/label/Unit%3A%20Arabian%20Nights

Reading the folklore of Scheherazade was so encapsulating! How she became the narrator of the following stories and what the stories meant for her: life or death. Her cunning brain and thought out stories in order to save her country from terror is worth a read.