5-5:10pm: How are you? Tell us some TRUTH from your day…
5:10-5:30pm: What singular idea are you consistently feeling in Lawson’s work? Could you write a 3 to 4-page essay on it? How would you start?
5:30-5:50pm: Open discussion on happiness… how do we get it. And more than that, what do you recommend someone do to live in a happy dimension and mind?
5:50-6pm: Discuss craziness ….. What is it? Lawson talks about it all the time, but…. What do you think?
6-6:20pm: From craziness… what’s the opposite? Is there a difference? How do we know?
6:20-6:30pm: Close… what’s on the page?
ASSIGNMENT: Finish the book by end of next week. Email me on your reading experience… what you’re thinking, how you’re feeling… informal but honest communication. Not so much a short response, but participation. I want to know what’s in your mind while reading and in between your reads.
#professormikey 
FTP: Play more with your ideas, and let atmospheres stem from them… new moods, new stances, new sight.
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What did you learn. today about YOU?
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Today I was so upset about anti-maskers. WHY are they so selfish?? Why are people traveling to Sonoma county Right now? I live in Roseland, right next to the bike path. Things are so bad here. The contrast between my area and the tourist-y more wealthy areas is staggering. Their privilege disgusts me. I can’t even make myself feel bad for them. I just hate how they look down on
you for just trying to get by. GOD FORBID POOR PEOPLE EXIST IN THE VICINITY OF YOUR TONE-DEAF WINE TASTING TRIP.
Other than that… I allowed myself to be honest today. About my frustration and my fatigue. The pandemic is already hard, ADHD doesn’t really vibe with the while distance learning thing, and I’m struggling but it’s fine because I bought a frog croak wood instrument thing.
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Hi Rory!!!! Great to see you!!!! Sorry about all that… have fun tonight!!
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I kept running into a person wearing one of those mesh, useless masks in target, and it was so frustrating. I am so tired of people like this.
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RIGHT. IT’S S O bad here.
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I worked at a winery during the fires. I can relate all to well to your frustrations! People still coming to take a vineyard tour and taste some wine **through the SMOKE** while all the employees are stuck wondering if we still have homes.
Frog croak instrument thing, the one where it has a bumpy like back and you drag the stick over it??
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yes! it’s a tiny wooden thing that croaks I’m obsessed with it
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hey mikey! how’s your day been so far?
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Whatup Oliver.. great!! How’s your day?
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Where is everybody???? One thing I utterly LOATHE is late people…
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I learned that I have a long ways to go still to reach my goal to procrastinate less. I have to focus more on due dates instead of checking it every 2-3 days.
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It’s a process. I get it.
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Today was pretty packed as most of my wednesdays are
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Any stories?
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good afternoon professor. i had a rough day today maybe. because i was stressed out with work, but i kept trying to think of positive thoughts to get me through the day. how was your day?
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Hello all, I’m doing pretty good. Some truth… The truth is today was a very boring day that drained me out.
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Bet it wouldn’t be so boring if you wrote it, and others read it…
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A thing I learned about myself is in order for me to have a productive day I have to prioritize everything from the most important thing to the least
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Yes!! It’s a process… be kind to yourself.
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Great thought/idea.
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Do you have a prioritizing method that know has helped you?
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FTP: Procrastination can be beneficial, as it’s often taking time to collect for something meaningful. Don’t be so viciously toward Self.
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I was under the impression we had to have the book done by our last meeting on monday so I am solidly done with it for now aha! woops..
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lol…. all good!! Without spoiling anything, what are your thoughts?
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The last chapters are by far my favorites! I was emotional as hell reading them. It was touching, and I wish I could share these snippets with the people in my past who have lost their battles to mental illness.
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Hi everyone!! Hows everyones day so far?
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PATRICIAAAAAAAA!!!!!!! How are you????
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HI!!! Doing pretty good!!!! Taking it day by day you know, How are you?
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I’m great!! Was a good day, today.
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Hey, Had a good day most Wednesdays I have a lot to do so I’m a bit tired and stressed I think the time difference is starting to kick in.
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How’s it going! For me today was just a bunch of classes and homework.
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What had you the most alive?
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I guess what had me most alive was the surprise speeches for my Comms class. Made me panic a little but it was a welcome surprise compared to the constant hum of boredom from the other classes
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That’s awesome!!
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Today I learned that I can get better at things. It sounds weird but I was learning another kpop dance before this class and it’s the second dance I’ve fully learned so far, but I noticed it’s been getting easier to learn them. I always thought I was just horrible at dancing and couldn’t get better even though I wanted to, but I guess I proved myself wrong. That being said I still can’t really dance I just got less bad at it, but that’s something.
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Good for you!!
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Some truth umm…. I had the BEST salad today for lunch (made me me! tried a knew style one) and then the BEST fried chicken for dinner made by my mom. Pretty good day if you ask me 🙂 But other than that, I got my homework done for my highschool classes then read some chapters in the book. Pretty chill day, which I am going to miss in this coming weekend because I will be working 8 hour shift until Sunday because of valentines day, wish me luck.
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Hey Nina!!! Where are you working again?
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Sift dessert bar! So everyone’s coming in to get their valentines’ some sweets
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YES!!!! Will text you… will need some!!
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Hi everyone. Today has been slow motion but also went by really fast? I’ve spent the day studying and zoom classing so I haven’t had much time to focus on myself or do anything that I find fun. Usually, I look forward to Spanish- that was one of my classes today- but I’m having a difficult time adjusting to this professors online teaching style. I’m trying to be flexible and adaptable but she keeps knocking me down for having my camera off. I’m considering getting over my distaste for zoom cameras but I’m not making it a priority lol How are you guys? I’m ready to learn something!
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Want to learn something? See yourself as an instructor, more. And, be a great student for that instructor. 🙂
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i’m convinced quarantine/pandemic time flows at a different rate. there is no way one day of work can feel like five years, but also five minutes, but the longest fucking five minutes of your life. every day. i believe in you! keep trying new things
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Hello! funny you ask, it was a great day at work because i caught up on rest and felt energized enough to work with my kiddos! But I had a moment today that reminded me, “damn you SUCK at giving directions.” I work at a school and at pick up I had a new parent drive by to pick up her kid who was in fact in the program on the opposite side of the campus. So when it came down trying to guide her to where she needs to go, it was a TRAIN WRECK and a bunch of word vomit. I had to apologize not once, not twice but three times when trying to direct her because I kept getting lost in my mind and I wasn’t choosing the right words I was intending to say. It is normal for me to be this way when giving directions. I tend to hyperfocus on every detail and map it out in my mind but when it comes to moving from visualization to vocalizing, that is different. lol
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Thanks for being here! Have fun in the discussions!
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If you look at your character and story, see steps before results…. Just a thought I wanted to share.
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Some truth about today, well, every time my Bio professor mentions osmosis I can’t help but think of Osmosis Jones, as awful as that is. My wife came back officially negative from COVID, which has been a massive relief. Slowly trying to chain some positive things together, and chipping away at homework when I can! Feeling greatful for both Laura and Rory’s discussions in particular from Monday, felt incredibly genuine and truly stood out! Thank you for your opinions!
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Cheers Paul. Thanks for positive remarks. Have fun tonight.
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Some truth for today ATT internet service is lame! my internet is out of wack right now
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The TRUEST truth
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Hey everybody! I spent the day playing in a feild of flowers with the little girl I nanny and her pup. We made flower crowns, chased butterflies, and had a sweet little picnic. Was a beautiful and refreshing day.
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Omg you’re living in a movie i want to be in
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Ha ha…
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Today I had a ROUGH start. I got up at 7:29 for my 7:30 zoom class. Usually I get up much earlier but I could not sleep last night. Sometimes that happens, I just can’t get tired no matter what I do. As I laid on my bed in my underwear, I was thankful for the mute and camera off buttons. In truth, I wish I paid attention, but I was just too tired.
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There’s always next class…
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That’s true. Yes, I got myself up and showered and made breakfast. I sat down and learned something in my next class and paid attention.
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Today I woke up with this phrase running through my head. “Do not leave any rock unturned” which led me to reach out to one of my artist idols after work
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GOOD FOR YOU!! Who is it?
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Amadeo Bachar. He’s a marine artist based near santa cruz.
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Nice!! Will look into him. I was born in SC!!!
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Oh really?? Do know Hans Haveman? Owner of H&H fresh fish?
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Nah… was only there till 4 years old…. I want to soon, maybe, buy a little beach cottage down there, if business gets better for me.
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Santa Cruz is one of my favorite places
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Yes…. a writer’s world.
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https://studio-abachar.myshopify.com
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One thing I learned about myself today is that I am always capable of doing so much more in my days than I could have Imagined. Yesteday was a lazy day and I hated it, so today I changed that. I woke up early at 5 a.m and then i made myself some breakfast, showered and I began studying until my early class began. Afterwards I began researching on some stocks that I think were going to do good and I secured some solid money before it was even 12 pm. After that well I got put in charge of babysitting until 2pm and thats when I went to play football with my nephew and todays been amazing. A thought that came to mind during all this is why haven’t I been doing this from the start? Why am I minimizing my efforts to become greater. I realized I don’t have discipline and I’m going to work to change that!
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Excellent!!! Happy for you.
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Hello, my day was alright I spent the day cleaning up my room, worked on some homework and now I am here. Overall a pretty mediocre day for me.
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5-5:10pm: Hello. I am feeling lucky! Lucky to have stumbled over the past week, yet made it part of the dance. Just a little tumble… I missed you all on Zoom. I am sure it was bunch of virtual fun, hoping it is not the ONLY zoom Prof. Mikey will host…? Ahem… Alrighty, so truth. It turns out that I mediated today for 30 minutes this morning and it did me wonders. Not only did I get to stretch and relax my breathing, but it felt good being present. I still feel very swollen and fatigued from 2nd dose of Pzifer-BioTech vaccine, but I seriously must keep focus and push through. Examine my minutes. Guide my thoughts. Look at the bright-side. Keep reading Lawson, annotating whilst she speaks to me in audio voice.
Question: Any folks out there listening on Audible? What can you guys interpret from the pitch of her voice? I’m so curious. Personally I hate listening to my own voice. But, I can totally hear her high functioning anxiety.
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Hey Dais…. I feel like Lawson is realizing things while she’s reading. Things about herself and her story. Colleagues?
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Absolutely. When I review old writings, I do the same. I realized how much things have changed, my perception to say the least. And, can’t help but want to edit and add more or give things a little more seasoning like a deviled egg sprinkled with paprika.
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Lol…. love that analogy. Great idea Dais..
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That’s interesting. I listen to a LOT of podcasts while driving. Maybe after I finish up the book I’ll go back and listen to the audiobook on my commutes. When I reread something I’ve written, I always have new things popping into my head. Maybe she’s realizing things like how she has a different feeling about something she wrote now, and doesn’t like it. That happens to me often.
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For me, the singular idea has to be perception. And, writing. How she writes, why, and what she wants her readers to feel from her written form. You?
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YES!!!
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Hey guys! I spent today really getting to know myself more, journaling and meditating, reading and listening to podcasts. What I have definitely been coming to terms with is that I absolutely get hangry, despite my previous belief that I definitely do not. I recognize this, and plan to eat little snacks more often and remain patient when I’m hungry. Self correction is everything.
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Today was a very rough day at work. I learned that I am done working this way and believe I am capable and deserving of more
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Yes you are!!!!! OMG, so much so. Cheers Laura.
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Thanks
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Im consistently brought back to how most of everything she says I can relate to while reading. Like nearly word for word with her conversation with her mom. I could easily write a 3-4 page essay on it, but it would be very personal.
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Today my was stressful because we had a lot of things going on with kids at work
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one singular idea is balance. I enjoy her balance on seeing the light and dark in her days.
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That’s great!!! Develop this, please!!
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In Lawson’s work I am consistently feeling…
Connection. The need for honest, human connection. And love. Love for her work. Love for her audience, family, support system, anybody finding solace in her work. Forgiveness. Struggle. Relief. Intense pain, but also intense hope and strength.
I always return to wanting to share her words with the ones I have loved before it was too late.
I think that with my personal connection to what she writes about I could certainly write a 3-4 page paper on it
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This is brilliant, Rory.. please develop this idea!!! 🙂
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thank you! i have done relatively little exploration of this idea outside of my own writing/art but using Lawson as a vessel for conversations about mental health, my experiences with it/because of it, and stigma would be something I’d like to explre.
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Beautiful thoughts.
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The singular Idea that keeps popping into my head when reading Lawson’s book is Personality. I feel like im talking to Lawson in person rather than just reading her book. This idea pops in most often when she side tracks but somehow comes back to her original thoughts.
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Cool!! Write it!!
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I think I can probably write an essay, I feel like there is certain things I can connect to and relate too and that help me expand from her writing!
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A singular idea for me is how understanding she is. I could probably write an essay about it. Don’t know how I would start it.
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Start writing in your journal.. you’ll teach yourself, and show your words how to form.
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The singular idea I keep minding myself back on is the idea of Lawson’s passion. She does everything emphatically, despite her mentions of being lazy at times. There is just such energy coming off each and every page!
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She gives me the idea of perspective, and how different people see and go through different things. Honestly, I could write a page or two but 3-4 pages not so much, but if I did it would go something like … Upon reading Lawsons’s work it has been made clear to me how every person has their own unique view on something, and how perspective is everything. You may see someone from the outside and they may seem fine but for all you know they could be High on some drug or depressed or going through an extreme mental illness.
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as I read I keep coming back to the ideas of perspective and growth mindset. I read and find myself thinking, “hell yeah mental illness is my friend!” I get this feeling that she is encouraging others who struggle with mental illness to unite with themselves rather than being afraid and trying to cast a shadow.
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That quote alone could write your essay…
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yay!! im excited.
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Cheers!!
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I love this!
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one singular idea for me is how accepting she is, using quotes i could possible write a 3 page essay
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Started my day with now of my justice classes where we covered a pretty disturbing case as an example of assumed and circumstantial evidence, and it just made me wonder if some of the people who do such terrible things to others are those have lost that battle with oneself and ‘fog’ as Lawson says. I would want to hope that there is a way to help them all but some of the things people do are truly horrific.
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Singular ideas can stem into other ideas, just keep returning to the singular word that started everything. This is one way to avoid tangents and inconsistencies in your essays.
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For most of Lawson’s work, I’ve been feeling between overwhelmed, anxious, with a hint of irritated here and there. I can totally appreciate the freedom and lawlessness she expresses through her work. I just find that often times I’m bombarded with information. I don’t get a chance to absorb one thought or experience before she throws another one out there. When she told us about her dad sleeping in the blood and fish guts sloshing all over the boat, I had to put the book down for a moment. Another consistent idea is how different two readers can feel about it. While I’m feeling all these things I mentioned above, I know so many others are feeling seen and comforted in their own ways. I think I could write a 3-4 page essay on it, but I’m unsure of where I’d start because I do not want to come off as offensive or closed minded.
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Write logically, and you won’t. And, read slower maybe? When a lot is approaching you, slower pace allows you to appreciate more.
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Oof, ok I’ll slow it down. I might cry! but I’ll do it.
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lol… you’ll be fine!!! Enjoy!! When one reads slower, they see more and feel more and understand their abilities more!
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As I read through through the book the consistently feeling that I feel is how genuine she is, she always stays true to herself, I think I can write a 3-4 page paper if I brainstorm some ideas to go off of
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A singular idea in her work I keep hearing is compassion. For herself and for others except if you’re not sexy(use the word frustrated).
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Confidence. Even when Laura is having severe anxiety or is not feeling the best, it seems as though she continuously feels confident in herself no matter what. When others oppose her or even when she is blatantly wrong, she just agrees to disagree because she’s confident in her thoughts, which she has already determined to be “crazy.” So it’s not like she’ll feel any more crazy if she’s wrong
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Completely agree. She’s much more confident and strong than she would have us believe…
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I feel like the Idea of perspective is apparent throughout the book. She shows that your life is what you make it. If a different person had the same difficulties that Lawson was facing in life, they could tell a completely different story. She refuses to be anything but happy and it shows. If I was to write an essay about her than it would be ti highlight the strength that she exhibits to be furiously happy.
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“I want to learn something today.” A student might say. Okay…. Look at what you write in reaction to what you read. Use your own human experience as a lens for interpretation and appreciation. There is so much in your life that you have not adequately read and re-read. Try it… your life, the lens, the mirror, the decoder, the PLACE.
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This is a good reminder
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🙂
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