ENGLISH 1A – 5PM

10/6/20

5-5:10pm:  How are you?  What have you been writing?  How are you going to approach the rest of the semester?  And yes, it’s time to start thinking that way, already.

5:10-5:30pm:  Your life as Literature..  Your moments are manuscripts.  What does this mean to you?

5:30-5:50pm:  Do you see your life as Literary?  Why or why not?

5:50-6:10pm:  Ever catch yourself overthinking?  What do you do to change, if anything?

6:10-6:30pm:  How can we use overthinking, rather than fight it?  This is entirely a writing issue…..  And it can go several ways, directions, climbs, and flights.

6:30-6:40pm:  Close…..  What’s on tonight’s page?

ASSIGNMENT:  Continue working on Sedaris essay.  Type a one-page story from your day, and email it to me.  Keep writing in your journal…. Record your observations and react to them!  Buy Samantha Irby’s book, ‘We Are Never Meeting In Real Life’.

312 Comments Add yours

  1. I used to overthink a lot, but now I just do things which are important and figure the things on the way rather.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. mikemadigan says:

      Good! That’s helpful!!

      Like

  2. mikemadigan says:

    Can overthought be an ally? Somehow?

    Like

    1. Débora Vitaliano says:

      yes, it can be an ally. You can understand a lot about yourself when you overthink something. If you spend you time overthink something, you should understand why you are doing so.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. mikemadigan says:

        Like challenging yourself, finding something in a storm..

        Like

      2. Evelyn Molina says:

        I been evacuated since last Monday. And I was trying to catch really good WiFi. But sometimes isn’t easy, but I am handling in there .

        Liked by 1 person

    2. Gianina Mencarini says:

      Actually, yes. I’ve overthought things before and questions things and I turned out to be right. It can help to go a little bit deeper into your mind and see all the possibilities of the outcome of something

      Liked by 1 person

    3. niannavalle says:

      The only time my overthinking has benefitted me that I can remember is while doing certain types of writing. Sometimes thats when I write my most interesting pieces because my mind won’t stop racing and its like words just flowing from my head. It can help me get all the little details I want to capture, but it also can slow my thought process down.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. niannavalle says:

    I overthink in a lot of situations because of previous experiences. Most of the time I just need to remind myself that these are different people than before and they behave differently then my last experience

    Liked by 3 people

  4. Débora Vitaliano says:

    I try to not overthink, which is hard. So every time I start to overthink I ask myself the reasons to do so. In most cases it is because I am afraid of something or the thing I am overthinking is affecting me in a way. So I question myself if it is worth it to spend my time doing so, and if it doesn’t, I try to distract myself

    Liked by 2 people

  5. mikemadigan says:

    FOR TONIGHT’S PAGE: Let’s forget about overthinking? What do you like to think about? What do you like to envision for yourself? Me…. I always think myself away to Paris, to this one café on a side-street… Can’t remember its name, but it always makes me smile. I can still smell the pastries, the air, the wine…

    Liked by 4 people

    1. finn ransome says:

      Mine has to be at the upper waterfall summit in yosemite. Your right on the right of El capitan which is about 100 feet taller than the level you are at. Though all you can see is the whole valley below you and a wonderful spectacle of half dome and the rolling mountains around it. I can’t think of something more pure and magnificent than that experience.

      Liked by 2 people

    2. Shantel Shaw says:

      Thank you for a good topic for my journal tonight!

      Liked by 1 person

    3. Débora Vitaliano says:

      I like to think about the people I love and how they inspire me, how they helped me becoming who I am today. All the good memories. And I also like to visualize myself in my future plans. That makes me excited for the things that will happen.

      Liked by 1 person

    4. Gianina Mencarini says:

      Ou count me in!!! Never been but Paris looks absolutely beautiful!! Hahaha

      Liked by 1 person

      1. mikemadigan says:

        Best city on the planet…

        Like

    5. adrianv7272 says:

      I think of waking up going to work and smelling fresh bud everywhere as I go help people with finances and quality control.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. finn ransome says:

    I think like everything else it could be good in moderation. If you use it in the right time as well it could definitely be an ally in my mind

    Liked by 3 people

  7. Shantel Shaw says:

    I think overthinking can be used as a tool personally for making sure I don’t underestimate.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. angelmunoz56 says:

      I particularly found this way of thinking useful when it came to anything that was competitive in my life!

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Maybe we are looking at it the wrong way. maybe we have to overthink things and tell ourselves we made the right decision and let it be. we can maybe use overthinking in some positive way but not take it too far?

    Liked by 3 people

    1. mikemadigan says:

      Could be! I like that!

      Liked by 1 person

  9. jakesilva753 says:

    I think you can use overthinking as a fighting technique. Majority of the time, once the thing you were overthinking has passed, you realize it didn’t require all that stress. Hence why it’s called over thinking. So when that happens, you can go into that same situation a second time and come more prepared than ever.

    Liked by 3 people

  10. angelmunoz56 says:

    The more I think about it, the more I see my life as literary. The constant situational changes in my life has always made the small things stand out. I usually find myself remembering the small things other people around don’t. Although I see this as a basic feature in my life. These tiny details have changed the course of past situations that have no relation to each other. I question if this is just some sort of “life experience” being inputed by myself. Or something more…

    Liked by 2 people

  11. niannavalle says:

    I think myself away into the thoughts of moving. The idea of moving to Hawaii next year always makes me smile.

    Liked by 2 people

  12. mikemadigan says:

    The one awesome thing about craziness, aside from it being a judgement made by an outside mind, is you self-elevate to the truest of freedoms.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Débora Vitaliano says:

      yesss, so true! this is def going to be on my journal tonight

      Liked by 1 person

    2. jakesilva753 says:

      I’d rather be crazy and be judged than boring and dull

      Liked by 2 people

  13. mikemadigan says:

    Let’s get off-topic for a minute…. write from where you are right now. Paint a portrait…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. niannavalle says:

      of what we see?

      Like

      1. mikemadigan says:

        YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

        Like

    2. Gianina Mencarini says:

      I’m in my living room on our brown recliner couch sitting next to my mom. Im on my mac book typing, laid up with the recliner up. While my mom is sitting with her knees to her chest with the remote in her hand. She’s wanting a new ID show of OJ and Nicole Simpson’s death. The Tv is right in from of us, mounted on the wall above the fireplace. The setting sun’s light shines in, making the plants and the other couches have rays of golden upon them

      Liked by 1 person

      1. niannavalle says:

        I watched an episode of that yesterday in a similar manor with my grandma

        Liked by 1 person

      2. mikemadigan says:

        The Mencarini house!!!! 🙂 Love it!!!

        Like

  14. Dominic Costantino says:

    For me, I feel like overthinking is a personality trait. Overthinking is healthy for me because I usually am able to better understand something that way.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. I think if you are overthinking about something there must be something wrong with it.Its like your body is telling you to reevaluate your choice.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. adrianv7272 says:

      For me sometimes I find when I overthink and change my mind that I tend to be right about whatever the situation was the first time. Second guessing myself has always been my downfall.

      Liked by 1 person

  16. mikemadigan says:

    I’m over overthinking overthinking….. let’s talk about our current scenes.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. adrianv7272 says:

      Sittin here next to my drooling gf while I’m checking the chat and trying to clean up the mess that the tornado of a girlfriend I have made. Clothes everywhere!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. mikemadigan says:

        Like the symbol of the clothes..

        Liked by 1 person

  17. Abie Prieto says:

    I think a way we can use overthinking in writing is literally just write what you’re thinking about and just go back and see what you want to keep or delete.

    Liked by 2 people

  18. Dominic Costantino says:

    I am in a car driving somewhere with my roomates. On my phone, I type this as my driver yells at the truck going 20 on a 50. Why are his tires so large? Why would someone buy such a large truck if they aren’t going to use it properly? The music is nice and calming as we surge down the road to wherever we’re going. There’s blue skies for the first time in a while, and Biden/Harris signs align the road. I feel calm.

    Liked by 5 people

    1. mikemadigan says:

      Love it!!! Good job!!

      Like

  19. angelmunoz56 says:

    I’ve definitely have had my fair share of overthinking. Now I reflect on those times and see that I would get positive & negative results throughout. So I consider overthinking not so much of a reliable ally but more so of an ally that turns up when you least expect it to. Of course what you consider a positive result is totally situational.

    Liked by 1 person

  20. niannavalle says:

    I sit hear in my room facing my dark laptop listening to the hum of the spinning fan. My bright coral sheets and crushed rose velvet blanket illuminated by the yellow hew of the artificial lights. Music all around my with the mounted cassette display case and crate of records opposite my record player all shiny from the polish. My floor is a bit messy, I need to put away some laundry and vacuum. I can hear my parents talking. They speak quite loud. They aren’t yelling or angry, just Italian and loud.

    Liked by 5 people

    1. niannavalle says:

      here*

      Liked by 1 person

    2. jakesilva753 says:

      I love this !! ahaahah

      Liked by 2 people

    3. mikemadigan says:

      *here … lol …. love this!

      Like

  21. Débora Vitaliano says:

    I am in my room watching the sunset and being glad that there is almost no smoke today. Looking at my plants and next to it there are two miniatures of the Hawaiian gods which I bought there in one of the most amazing trips I’ve ever done in my life.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Débora Vitaliano says:

      I can hear the cars and trucks passing on the street but the birds singing and the crows cawing are louder than the cars. While I am writing I can hear my roommate singing and prating for his singing class. That always makes me smile because his happiness doing so contagious. I also can see my bookshelf with all my books organized by colors and sizes. There is also my best friend paint and my grandmother’s picture.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Débora Vitaliano says:

        is*

        Liked by 1 person

  22. Giovanni Vaca says:

    I am sitting on my bed that is centered on the right side of my room. On my right I see my iguana walking around in its cage. On my left, i see my couch that has my camera and painting that I have been meaning to finish for months. In front of me, I see my desk which has my books and speakers with a poster of an old school Volkswagon van above it.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Gianina Mencarini says:

      omg what’s your iguana’s name ?!?!

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Giovanni Vaca says:

        Nygel 🙂

        Liked by 2 people

  23. I think about jazz music made by Amy Winehouse and her voice. sometimes I feel dark and reckless and I find hope or thinking about her life and how she chose the wrong path and I have to make sure that I don’t do the same. Unfortunately she didn’t have a genuine loving family like I do.. but her quote sticks with me. “I dont need help because If I can’t help myself I can’t be helped.”

    Liked by 4 people

    1. niannavalle says:

      I love Amy Winehouse, I think about her a lot also

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Crazy huh? wish I could have went to one of her concerts! If y’all haven’t seen the Amy movie you should check it out. During my childhood or teenage years I would see all these memes and ugly posts about her and addiction but when I started listening to her I was amazed and watching her movie I was wowed.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. mikemadigan says:

        Such a horrible loss. She was godly with her voice and writing… RESPECT.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. mikemadigan says:

        Word…. Some of these new young singers try to bite her style and lines, and I’m like nah son…. It’s maddening and humorous at the same time. Acknowledge the queen.

        Liked by 2 people

      4. haha! Yes there is know way! she has rare vocals.

        Liked by 1 person

      5. mikemadigan says:

        It’s indescribable, honestly.

        Like

    2. jakesilva753 says:

      I love her voice and her music. Her voice is just to angelic and calming and her music is so unapologetic. She was really someone to admire

      Liked by 2 people

  24. Shantel Shaw says:

    I am sitting at my grandparents watching my grandma and brother make snickerdoodle cookies after a long hot day working. I see happiness and love fill the kitchen.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. yea Jake she was something else man. I dont think we will have another Amy! one in a trillion for sure.

      Liked by 1 person

  25. mikemadigan says:

    A hundred words….. Kids all sides, encircling, provoking. Need a glass of wine, whatever’s there. Before the glass I need to note something before I forget. Business… the startup… the prospects, clients and conversations to maintain. Nearly too much but that’s what keeps you high from the movement, the Road… the music of the day-to-day. It’ more than anything ‘startup’. It’s wild creative, like your own gallery and lab. I forget the kids are here, which saddens me. How could I do that. I do it for them. The business and the moved monies are never for me. This is something that’s better than any poured glass or vacation. A dancing painting, song cosmic, melodically aloft topic.

    Liked by 4 people

  26. finn ransome says:

    Im sitting in my living room looking at my laptop screen. I can hear my parents talking in the kitchen while I am watching a survival alaskan show. one couple is working on cutting down tree logs into small sections.They cut these into thinner pieces that they are going to use as a shed to shelter some of their vehicles during the winter. This makes me feel a sense of imprisonment and makes me want to get out of the house.

    Liked by 3 people

  27. mikemadigan says:

    Freedom is the cure for overthought, if you need be freed from it. We choose to overthink. I’m seeing that now. As students, we need be liberated in our pursuits and expression.

    Liked by 4 people

  28. mikemadigan says:

    Thank you all for snapping me out of my lull, tonight…. This class is always heaping with ideas and conversations, words and expressive directions and intersections. RESPECT.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. jakesilva753 says:

      Thanks for giving us an opportunity to bounce ideas off you and each other!!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. mikemadigan says:

        Y’all did the producing, all #professormikey did was instigate. But thanks man…

        Liked by 1 person

  29. niannavalle says:

    One thing I haven’t been able to stop thinking about for a few hours was if I bought the wrong wire for my dream catcher. Because this one doesn’t seem stiff enough

    Liked by 1 person

  30. Today’s class is awesome! Glad we all are chiming in!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. mikemadigan says:

      I’m so grateful for you all. RESPECT.

      Liked by 3 people

  31. Daniel Bagley says:

    Overthinking to me isnt helpful. It stresses me out and has only made bad situations worse for me. Like i said i wouldn’t use it to my advantage since it has never worked to my advantage.

    Liked by 2 people

  32. Daniel Bagley says:

    On tonight’s page i need to catch up on the pages ive missed with the fires going on right now.

    Liked by 2 people

  33. Shantel Shaw says:

    To close for tonight I would like to say that I missed not having class this week! I know it was a very stressful week, but I still enjoy being on this blog page! I am planning on writing about overestimating!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. mikemadigan says:

      Good to see you!!!!

      Like

    1. adrianv7272 says:

      legit first few lines of her singing gave me goosebumps! she’s amazing!

      Liked by 1 person

  34. finn ransome says:

    thank you for the amazing intriguing and eye opening conversations. Mikey and everyone else I appreciate it this was a pleasant time spent this evening.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. mikemadigan says:

      Great seeing you, Finn. Enjoy your night, and keep those ideas speeding across the lines of your notebook.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. finn ransome says:

        you as well

        Liked by 1 person

  35. niannavalle says:

    Try to enjoy your moments more and think about them less, I really enjoyed tonights class. Thank you all

    Liked by 4 people

  36. Débora Vitaliano says:

    such an amazing class, as always! For tonight’s page: overthinking is a choice. The journal is a teacher, a way to materialize memories and leave notes for the future and a way to connect to myself.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. mikemadigan says:

      Cheers, Debora! Enjoy your night!

      Liked by 2 people

  37. mikemadigan says:

    One more thing for your page….. YOU. Never forget YOU.

    Liked by 1 person

  38. adrianv7272 says:

    Enjoy your night everyone thanks Victor and Pro Mikey for putting me on to Amy Winehouse. She’s awesome

    Liked by 3 people

    1. mikemadigan says:

      Yeah dude… pay attention to her writing. It’s f/cking awesome. Cheers!

      Like

      1. Thank you too Adrian and Professor Mikey today was great and im glad to see that im not the only one who appreciates her work! Theres at least one or two songs that can relate to all of us. If you watch her interview clips on YouTube its amazing.

        Liked by 1 person

  39. THIS IS THE ONE!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. mikemadigan says:

      Dope. Thanks for sharing!

      Liked by 1 person

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