Free Writing Ain't Free

"Writing isn’t hard. It isn't any harder than ditch digging." -Patrick Dennis

I'm taking a writing class on Wednesday nights. Our instructor, Teresa Jordan, is an acclaimed author and she's whipping us into shape without mercy. She's not just lecturing about writing, or giving us some examples to consider, she expects all of us write right there in class, and then almost immediately read aloud some portion of it.

She understands that this isn't always easy or comfortable. The only rule of free writing is that once you start, don't stop, just keep the pen moving on the page.

And when it's your turn to speak, "Don't apologize, just read the crap," she tells us, quoting one of her writing mentors.

This "free writing" isn't free from stress or pressure, but it does free the mind in the way that exercise frees the body. I might not enjoy every lap I swim, but my almost daily swimming has made the water so much more inviting. Writing's rarely been easy for me, but with this class I'm already less intimidated by the prospect of an empty page.

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Hierarchy of Effective Communications for Educators in the 21st Century

This list contains both research-proven and best-guess items.

1. One-to-one, face-to-face
2. Small group discussion, face-to-face
3. Small group discussion via audio or videoconferencing
4. Speaking before a large group
5. Telephone Conversation
6. Personal E-mail
7. Handwritten, personal note
8. Website or blog the user considers “Must visit daily”
9. Clear, consise voice-mail
10. Group E-mail (subscribed to by the user)
11. Any E-mail that prompts the response: “Now that’s something I needed to know.”
12. Word-processed “personal” letter
13. Online search that yields relevant, credible information
14. Brochure or pamphlet
15. Article in online or printed organizational newsletter
16. News (online, broadcast, print)
17. Advertising (online, broadcast, print)
18. Mass E-mail (not subscribed to by the user)
19. Billboards, bus boards, other signage

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50 Things I'm Grateful For in My 1st 50 Years

My oldest nephew and his wife welcomed their first child into the world yesterday. It just happened to be my 50th birthday, too. What a memorable day. This list comes from some of those memories. It's certainly not all inclusive, but it is in rough chonological order. It jogs my memory and may stir a memory or two for you.

1. dad
2. mom
3. sister
4. grandparents
5. aunts

6. uncles
7. cousins
8. friends
9. phonographs
10. records

11. trains
12. holidays
13. snow
14. television
15. radio

16. books
17. school
18. reading
19. coloring
20. math

21. teachers
22. playgrounds
23. bicycling
24. swimming
25. kickball

26. baseball
27. basketball
28. football
29. cars
30. electronics

31. summer
32. rock and roll
33. classical
34. jazz
35. newspapers

36. debate
37. high school
38. amusements parks
39. scholarships
40. studios

41. wife
42. first son
43. first daughter
44. middle daughter
45. last son

45. last daughter
47. belief
48. trees
49. mountains
50. weather

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Couple of Quotations

I've had a couple of quotations here on my white board at work and thought I'd share them. I like them because they're empowering. The speak to the need of doing something about discontent, about the difficulty but possibility of creation, change, improvement.

"Cautious careful people always casting about to preserve their reputation and social standing can never bring about reform." -Susan B. Anthony

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed people can change the world; indeed its the only thing that ever has." -Margaret Mead

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Happy Birthday Dad

Congratulations on your 92nd birthday. I just got back from a great visit with mom and she lent me some pictures of you I’d never seen before. They were taken back in your newlywed days in Cleveland. You’ve got mom in your arms and you both look so happy and romantic. What fun for you then and for your family now.

I bet you’ve had quite a celebration in the last two days. With Uncle Rich’s birthday yesterday and yours today, I’m guessing Aunt Susan had a great time with you two.

So many happy returns on the day. Thank you for the gift of my life, for loving us all so unconditionally, for the wonderful times we had together, for your example of loving life, believing in your faith, cherishing your family, serving your country, savoring sage, sunsets and fresh peaches, for comforting me when I felt sick or afraid, and cheering me on in school and swimming, horsemanship and biking, photography and music and so much more.

With much love, your son,

p.s. Mom played Debussy's Arabesque tonight. She's amazing.

21845+ Sign to "Save Bob"

21,845+ have now signed a petition urging NPR to reconsider its decision to remove Edwards as host of Morning Edition. Most of those signing also leave comments. More than a few concern comparisons with the CocaCola's New Coke marketing fiasco 18 years ago.

When Coke finally re-introduced the original formula as CocaCola Classic, they acknowleged their blind spot: "The simple fact is that all the time and money and skill poured into consumer research on the new Coca-Cola could not measure or reveal the deep and abiding emotional attachment to original Coca-Cola felt by so many people."

Will NPR learn this lesson? It remains to be seen.

The obituary for our colleague Larry Holt was published over the weekend in Salt Lake's two dailies.