Course Assignments
The following are drafts submitted for all major writing assignments (ordered from earliest to latest):
Food Ethnography
Materials from final assignment (Food Ethnography).
Other Writings
Class Related
While these mostly amount to simple thoughts or one offs, I hope they can offer a bit of the requested writers insight.
Non Class Related
This blog itself contains dozens of random musings, adventure memories and other writings which you may peruse at will. Given that it was to become my choose subject for the class, I choose to specifically link the following missive about Druther’s, written ~one year before attending this class.
Essay
I would like to believe that if one were to examine all of my writing output, they would find that there is little to be read between the lines. Now I will tell you straight away this is not really true. As it happens I take great pleasure in little games, inside jokes, riddles and hidden messages within my writing. But all that said, the overall message itself is as honest and clear as I can make it. If nothing else because I lack the acumen it takes to weave complex imagery and commentary into what amounts to be a collection of thoughts.
So it is with telling you why and how I choose the works I did. Was there some special meaning behind each? With some noted exceptions, absolutely not. Truth be told I simply brought up my blog list, followed in order from earliest to latest and picked the items with more substantial content. Perhaps that’s not really the greatest message to send – especially considering this is part of my academic career, but I DID say I was an honest writer, and I’ll stand behind my choices good or ill.
The contents found are effectively a lead up to more elaborate and (hopefully) superior writings upon the primary subject I choose when presented with the class theme (food). I had already recently made a point to explore and document a restaurant that inexplicably holds sway in my memories – Druther’s, the last of a once thriving regional establishment. It was an easy choice to make. Why reinvent the wheel when I had already finished half the work? It only remained to formalize and find acceptable sources. There is a downside to this approach, and that is the lack of any true linear progression. You may find the thoughts and content to be all over the place, rather than a gradual increase in validity and quality. I can only hope it’s not too jarring.
Now comes the part where I must analyze myself as a writer. This is easy. I’m not a writer. Oh sure, in the technical sense we all are, but in the colloquial application of the term, not so much. That doesn’t stop me from trying. I’ve written dozens of fictional stories, characters, exploration notes, class papers, tutorials, the list goes on. in short, it’s fair to say I’ve actually produced a very large amount of content, though the vast majority will never see daylight. Unfortunately, I have no clue how to write. My strength is in speaking off the cuff and presentation. Stand me before a crowd, give me any subject and I can produce a several minute speech from nothing – making it all up on the spot. Hand me a blank paper and ask the same, and I am lost. Therefore, to write, I simply imagine myself speaking and attempt to transcribe the words. This works about as well (not at all) as you might expect.
Even now I am a bit confused at times which format to choose, flow of dialog and so forth. But I can credit the class with a bit of growth, and hopefully will be able to build upon what I’ve learned. For that, I will thank Ms. Casero’s efforts and promise I will endeavor not to waste them. Here’s to more and better!