It's always been said that politics make strange bedfellows. I've never been able to disagree with that, but I think we should add that Internet chat sites or posting places makes for strange bedfellows too.
Tonight I was chatting with a friend, we met at a TV show website. I've never seen her or the rest of the crew that I chat with regularly. We've been chatting for about a year now. Our little group just moved from one site to another because of some of the strange conversations we encountered.
There are a couple of interesting guys, who shall remain nameless, that were always giving the "noobs" (new people) a hard time. It was not fun to be at the end of their verbal swords, but once you stood your ground, they were accepting and at different times defended my honor when I was attacked by a "troll". I always considered them a rite of passage if you will.
Some people and I use the term loosely here, came to post, and begin a verbal riot! They were usually successful and if not would attack your weight, lack of social life or gender orientation. For those trolls there were a few defenses, correcting the spelling and grammar was always a good one. To embrace whatever insults they threw out was also fun, "So do ya want that deep fried twinkie with whipped cream or dipped in chocolate?"
There are also some wonderful people who post to such places. Last summer a friend's grandbaby was born with many physical complications. Those sweet people kept a prayer thread about the baby on the front page for everyday of the baby's all too short life.
So where am I going with this? Well a book title caught my eye, it was reviewed by Dave Barry Doing Nothing
There are people in my life who feel like I am doing nothing when I am chatting with my online pals, reading the blogs of others or posting to here to my blog, but it is much more than nothing!
I am reminded that my problems are smaller than some, and not too uncommon. I have a chance to respond, exchange ideas, and laugh. So many times I just have to smile at what I read. I think it helps to keep me a saner and more balanced person. What do you think?
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
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6 comments:
What do I think? I think your blog is freaking awesome. Thanks for leaving a comment on my site, or I might never have found yours. (you're now on my list of education bloggers).
Anyhow, I feel the same as you -- I have a good number of online "friends," and I feel that blogging and getting support and help from other teachers has enhanced my skills and benefitted my classroom. Sure, anybody could go buy a few books about teaching, but there's no feedback, no opportunity to ask questions. No discussion with the author.
If blogging and working and communicating with others online is a form of "doing nothing" (though my wife would say I'm doing just that), let it be said it's one of the most meaningful forms of nothingness around.
Cheers!
I don't feel my time online is doing nothing either. I think my husband started out thinking I was doing nothing but then I began sharing my blog with him and he was amazed at what I was doing. Now he shares it with family and friends. Nothing can beat this community of educators and noneducators at sharing opinions and our little snippets of life, but I do wonder...if you put all of us in a room would be have difficulty in conversation?
Somehow if we were alll put in a room together, it would be so awesome! Heck we could probabaly come up with a way to revamp the system, increase productivity and have a party all while discussing our favorite books. It would be awesome!
I posted on an internet newsgroup for 8 years. A pond group. It was destroyed by trolls because of the actions of one member. I miss it still! I have found another group, it is more technically oriented than our little group and many of us ended up there. We tend to get lost in the traffic.
I signed onto this system so I could post here because I love your tagline for you blog. Becoming a teacher because you love to learn!
I am a midlife teacher candidate.
I remember being so disappointed to graduate from college. School was over. I was eagerly there when the kids started kindergarten. Now the oldest are in college and I found a way to go back to school!
Student teaching in the fall!
I've gotten more practical bits of advice, wisdom, and encouragement from the education blogosphere than I have from any of my education graduate classes. I tell all my teacher friends about it! I'm so appreciative of my blog-buddies' comments and suggestions.
You know already what I think, but I will share. The time that you take out of your day to share with us at the 't.v. show site' "doing nothing" has enrivhed more than one life, and given grace and strength to many. You have a beauthiful wit and wisdom that we are honored to be able to share and benefit from.
As I have told you before you are one of the graces in my life and that of others. A bright Blessing in a world of shadows, and those who say it is 'doing nothing' do not, cannot, and choose not to understand.
you teach by be-ing. You BE by teaching.
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