Monday, November 16, 2009
Did somebody roll Circle Park?
Sorry I have been a little late on the blog, I have to blame it on two group projects, a Theatre review paper, a test, work, laundry, and life in general. The life of a college girl right? Or rather "college mama" as my boys say. So my college experiences have been a wide array of visual experiences as well as a few intellectual ones too. In addition to walking the campus always looking for someone older than myself, and there are many, I am pretty tuned into details all around me. It's just the artist in me I think. So here are a few of my first impressions of this glorious campus as well as a few class experiences during my first week.
There are some beautiful places on this campus and I have to say my favorite is Circle Park. Fall is on full display in Circle Park and there are places along the paths that remind me of Central Park in New York City. New York is one of my most favorite places to go! Anyway, I have an 8:10 class on Tuesdays and Thursdays and I love the walk on those crisp mornings. As I make the wide circle in front of the torch and enter the park on the far side next to the stadium, there is an art display or some artsy thing. Not really sure what it is, but my first week on campus I strolled right up that path and looked in that direction and I declare it looked like somebody had rolled Circle Park. Having three boys, I know what a good rolling is. I actually drove the car for a bunch of teenage girls during a midnight roll in our community a few years back. Anyway, if you're looking at a certain angle, it looks like a roll job.
Then there was the Theatre project in which our groups were to perform a short skit that introduced each member. Our group chose to introduce ourselves through a parody of an old dating game show; however, there was a group that did a spin off of Brett Michaels "Rock of Love" show. There is something oddly intriguing about that show that makes you stop and watch for a moment when you're flipping through the channels you know? Trashy girls, mascara, halter tops, and tattoos. I guess it's just so foreign to me. Anyway, there was a young lady that wore a bandanna on her head and acted like Brett Michaels. She introduced her class members as love interests and then uttered a profanity and simulated sex on the table.THE OLD COLLEGE MAMA WAS NOT READY FOR THAT ONE! However inappropriate that it was, I don't think it bothered anyone but me. I could feel my face turn red. Remember, my son is in this class with me, sitting somewhere behind me - thank goodness! This is probably the only time in the semester that I have been embarrassed instead of him. I hold my breath every time this group gets up to perform and my lab group gets a kick out it I think.
Then there was my first visit to the ladies rest room in the Art building. I entered the next to last stall and there was a leg with a shoe lying on the floor. So I automatically jumped. Then I looked up and there was a pants leg hanging from the ceiling. This time I gasped. If there was a hidden camera somewhere, the art student- whoever he is, accomplished his objective.
Okay, then there is the walk in front of the Art building where I frequently run into the men's cross country team during their workout. Boy is that a big whiff of fall, sweat, Old Spice and dirty sneakers. They are all very polite and take care not to bump me, but my what a whiff! A few more steps and I am walking in front of the Music building enduring a tuba solo. For every parent that has endured the noise of a budding music student, you know what I am getting at.
I have made many friends this first semester back, much to my son's surprise. There is the football players that open the door for me every morning on the way into my Theatre class. I smile and thank them and tell them their mom's would be proud of their good manners, of which always produces big grins and laughs. Anyway, I've really made friends being the old mom. I've watch my son roll his eyes in our lab when the other students laugh with me or actually engage in conversation with me. Matt thought kids would be rude, but no one has. That is really refreshing this day and time.
The last impression I like on this campus is that big white metal sculpture next to the Clarence Brown Theatre. What it is I do not know, and there has been much debate about it; however, I think I like it and I finally figured out why last Thursday night. It looks completely different at night! There is a big yellow light that comes on in this thing at nigh,t and it reminds me of the "Looney Tunes" cartoons. If you have ever watched Looney Tunes maybe you'll see it too. I don't know? But I am liking it, at least at night.
Well I got more pictures in my head guys but I also have homework and laundry, etc. etc. etc.
Come on back, I promise I am going to get faster at this blogging stuff!
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Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Welcome to the Real World
Greetings Vol Seekers! I am breathing a little easier tonight because I got my big theatre test over with today. It was the only major test for the semester and it counts 20% of my grade so I have been studying pretty hard for the last ten days. I think I did really well - so does my son, Matt, who did not study. He will probably make a higher grade, I'll let you know. I breezed right through all the questions in about 15 minutes and was so proud that I was one of the first to finish. On my way up to turn in my test, I ran into Matt who was on his way out. He shot me a big grin. Since there are 4 of us in college this semester, myself, Matt and my other sons, Aaron and Spencer, we are all in a contest that will reward the student that has the highest GPA with a $100.00. I am determined to win and at present I have all A's! Yea! Remember, I work full time, lead a theatre team as well as take care of my family, dogs, and laundry, etc! I hate laundry.
In my first blog I promised pictures and a few good stories about my favorite sights on campus. I am still working on the pictures, so I hope to get that blog up this weekend. My exam put me a little behind and I am trying to capture a certain picture for your viewing. Stay with me cause it's coming soon. I really do think you will enjoy it, until then...I thought I would tell you a little about my theatre class and my first group project.
So you know that my son and I are in the same lab group along with six other students. They have all been very nice to me - much to Matt's surprise. He thought they would be mean to me or think I am weird, out of touch, stupid. All the common opinions that kids have about their parents. Matt goes by his first name in this class and none of the kids know we are mother and son. One day I made a slip and called him Matt. Oh my goodness did he shoot me a mean look. I think I covered it well and apologized. Matt doesn't know it but one of the girls whispered and asked me if he was my son. I said yes, but please don't tell anybody.
So we were assigned the task of putting together an entertaining skit that was to introduce each group member. We were to incorporate our major, year and something interesting about ourselves or our passion. Since Matt is in the group, I tried to stay in the background and let others take the lead. I offered a suggestion or two as did everyone. After meeting two times we had settled on a theme but we had no real format. We watched other groups present on the Tuesday before we were to present and there were some really good presentations. I was a little nervous because we had no real solid presentation. At the end of the class period, I called them all together and told them we had to put something together. Since I am a budding playwright, I volunteered to write a skit on our theme and email it to them by midnight. I told them that if they didn't like it they could scratch it but we were really out of time and somebody had to do something. I think they were all relieved and they actually liked the skit. I encouraged them to take their part and mold it to their personalities of which they all did.
Now one of the students did not respond to emails or attend meetings. In fact, we all had assumed she had dropped the class; however, one guy said he thought he had seen her at the last class. I had given her a part in the skit even though she had not responded to emails or attended meetings. The morning of the skit we were frantically marking out her lines and rewriting literally just minutes before we were to present. When our group was called we all wandered to the front and low and behold - up walked our elusive group member with a script in her hand. We all looked at each other and kind of panicked. The mother in me was so aggravated at this young lady, the student in me was just plain ticked off!
I whispered to the young lady that we had just written her out due to the fact that she had not responded to any of our communication attempts, nor had she practiced with us. Her quick reply was..."Well I'm here now". I could feel my blood pressure rising. How dare her? How rude? How obnoxious?!! Our professor asked if all team members were present. Before my brain could catch up with my mouth...I blurted out....."They are today". Immediately I could see the audience respond in a way that revealed they got it. I was kind of embarrassed I had opened my mouth at this point and I turned to look at my son and he rolled his eyes. My professor raised an eyebrow too. Oh well.
We went back to the original script and we did not miss a beat. She bleated out every line expected with great enthusiasm which frankly just ticked me more. I was so mad I think I was seeing double. Well we managed to make a 93 on the project and we were given an opportunity to grade our fellow team mates. Needless to say, everyone buried her. As I walked to my next class my cell phone rang and it was Matt. He sarcastically scolded me. "You just had to say something didn't you? You couldn't keep your mouth shut could you?" He said more but I will spare you the mother and son sparring.
I guess it is important to tell you that I later found out that she was working as a stage hand for the "Streetcar Named Desire" production and she blamed her lack of communication on being tied up with that. It was clear that this theatre class was not her first rodeo. So was she the high school diva that did not need to practice or was she really overwhelmed with being a stage hand? I really don't know what the truth was, I just know I could have grounded her for a month, taken her car keys, phone and made her endure a lecture on the importance of courtesy, communication and dependability. She has since been present at all of our meetings, trying hard to compensate for her rocky start with our group.
Someday when she graduates from this fine institution, she will have to go out into the real world and interview or audition for real jobs. I think she will figure out as perhaps she did through this situation that she really is a little fish in a big pond. She's not in Kansas anymore is she totto? You see in the real world you have to communicate with your coworkers. You have to be dependable and yes you will be required to be courteous even when you do not want to. I do it everyday on my job; however, if I did not communicate with my coworkers, I would not have a job for long.
At the next resumed class, I decided to apologize to my lab partners after being berated by my humiliated son. I was pleasantly surprised when they all responded that they were all glad I had called her out. I smugly looked at my son and he just rolled his eyes. Boy, if I had a dime for every time he has rolled his eyes at me....well I would quit my job!
I am headed to bed now but you all come on back okay?
Until next time Vol Seekers.....It's great to be a Vol Blogger!
In my first blog I promised pictures and a few good stories about my favorite sights on campus. I am still working on the pictures, so I hope to get that blog up this weekend. My exam put me a little behind and I am trying to capture a certain picture for your viewing. Stay with me cause it's coming soon. I really do think you will enjoy it, until then...I thought I would tell you a little about my theatre class and my first group project.
So you know that my son and I are in the same lab group along with six other students. They have all been very nice to me - much to Matt's surprise. He thought they would be mean to me or think I am weird, out of touch, stupid. All the common opinions that kids have about their parents. Matt goes by his first name in this class and none of the kids know we are mother and son. One day I made a slip and called him Matt. Oh my goodness did he shoot me a mean look. I think I covered it well and apologized. Matt doesn't know it but one of the girls whispered and asked me if he was my son. I said yes, but please don't tell anybody.
So we were assigned the task of putting together an entertaining skit that was to introduce each group member. We were to incorporate our major, year and something interesting about ourselves or our passion. Since Matt is in the group, I tried to stay in the background and let others take the lead. I offered a suggestion or two as did everyone. After meeting two times we had settled on a theme but we had no real format. We watched other groups present on the Tuesday before we were to present and there were some really good presentations. I was a little nervous because we had no real solid presentation. At the end of the class period, I called them all together and told them we had to put something together. Since I am a budding playwright, I volunteered to write a skit on our theme and email it to them by midnight. I told them that if they didn't like it they could scratch it but we were really out of time and somebody had to do something. I think they were all relieved and they actually liked the skit. I encouraged them to take their part and mold it to their personalities of which they all did.
Now one of the students did not respond to emails or attend meetings. In fact, we all had assumed she had dropped the class; however, one guy said he thought he had seen her at the last class. I had given her a part in the skit even though she had not responded to emails or attended meetings. The morning of the skit we were frantically marking out her lines and rewriting literally just minutes before we were to present. When our group was called we all wandered to the front and low and behold - up walked our elusive group member with a script in her hand. We all looked at each other and kind of panicked. The mother in me was so aggravated at this young lady, the student in me was just plain ticked off!
I whispered to the young lady that we had just written her out due to the fact that she had not responded to any of our communication attempts, nor had she practiced with us. Her quick reply was..."Well I'm here now". I could feel my blood pressure rising. How dare her? How rude? How obnoxious?!! Our professor asked if all team members were present. Before my brain could catch up with my mouth...I blurted out....."They are today". Immediately I could see the audience respond in a way that revealed they got it. I was kind of embarrassed I had opened my mouth at this point and I turned to look at my son and he rolled his eyes. My professor raised an eyebrow too. Oh well.
We went back to the original script and we did not miss a beat. She bleated out every line expected with great enthusiasm which frankly just ticked me more. I was so mad I think I was seeing double. Well we managed to make a 93 on the project and we were given an opportunity to grade our fellow team mates. Needless to say, everyone buried her. As I walked to my next class my cell phone rang and it was Matt. He sarcastically scolded me. "You just had to say something didn't you? You couldn't keep your mouth shut could you?" He said more but I will spare you the mother and son sparring.
I guess it is important to tell you that I later found out that she was working as a stage hand for the "Streetcar Named Desire" production and she blamed her lack of communication on being tied up with that. It was clear that this theatre class was not her first rodeo. So was she the high school diva that did not need to practice or was she really overwhelmed with being a stage hand? I really don't know what the truth was, I just know I could have grounded her for a month, taken her car keys, phone and made her endure a lecture on the importance of courtesy, communication and dependability. She has since been present at all of our meetings, trying hard to compensate for her rocky start with our group.
Someday when she graduates from this fine institution, she will have to go out into the real world and interview or audition for real jobs. I think she will figure out as perhaps she did through this situation that she really is a little fish in a big pond. She's not in Kansas anymore is she totto? You see in the real world you have to communicate with your coworkers. You have to be dependable and yes you will be required to be courteous even when you do not want to. I do it everyday on my job; however, if I did not communicate with my coworkers, I would not have a job for long.
At the next resumed class, I decided to apologize to my lab partners after being berated by my humiliated son. I was pleasantly surprised when they all responded that they were all glad I had called her out. I smugly looked at my son and he just rolled his eyes. Boy, if I had a dime for every time he has rolled his eyes at me....well I would quit my job!
I am headed to bed now but you all come on back okay?
Until next time Vol Seekers.....It's great to be a Vol Blogger!
Labels: Theatre Diva
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Sunday, October 25, 2009
It's great to be a Vol blogger!
Greetings from East Tennessee! I am so excited to be a blogger for the University of Tennessee and grateful that you have found your way to my blog! I love to tell stories and paint pictures with words so I hope that you will be able to get a good ideal of my experiences at UT and my never boring life.
My name is Melanie and I take pride in the fact that I am not the traditional student. I am an adult student returning to school after 25 years to finish my degree. I am also the mother of 3 boys that are college students as well, one of whom attends UT. My son, Matt, and I have a class together. No it was not planned, it was by accident but he is adjusting well I have to say. To add insult to his injury, we were made lab partners because we have the same last name. I actually thought it was hilarious as did all my friends, he however did not. It was quite funny walking into class that first day and seeing the terror in his eyes. I was a cool mom, I went to the front and sat down without acknowledging him. When he found out that I had been chosen to be an official blogger for UT, he rolled his eyes and said; "Oh no, it's going to get out!" This whole situation gives the term "helicopter mom" a whole new dimension I believe. My other sons will be coming to UT next year and I have countless neighborhood sons roaming this campus as well. My neighborhood sons, all friends of my boys, are always glad to see me. They hug me and one even sat down to eat with me the other day. Matt would never dare set down to eat with me anywhere on campus bless his heart. That's okay, I know he loves me and still needs me.
I have returned to this sacred institution to pursue my love of writing and the theatre. I have been involved in community theatre all my life and plan to finish my degree in the Fall of 2011. I direct a group of about 26 actors for a christian theatre company at a large church in north Knox County. We do large productions with full sets, costumes and all the bells and whistles. It is a lot of work but so fulfilling. On top of attending school and being a mom, wife, writer and director, I also work full time as a manager for a company that sells European children's clothing. It's a great job with no stress, great pay, and wonderful clientele. So you see, I lead a very busy life and I love it!
I have so many things that I want to share with you about the University of Tennessee and I look forward to telling you about my experiences this semester. There are some funny things that I have encountered as an adult student. I also want to share with you my love of UT. This campus is absolutely gorgeous during the Fall and the sights, sounds, and smells keep me looking forward to class every day. Now that's something you may not hear from the traditional student...looking forward to class everyday? Please don't think I am a nerd okay? I don't think I am, even though my boys might. My English professor told me that I had not made any of the common cultural mistakes that most of her adult students make. Marilyn said that I seemed pretty cool. Now that's a first for me, calling my professor by her first name. She is a great American lit teacher by the way, so hilarious, we laugh our heads off in her class. Anyway, it is wonderful to be back at UT. I loved it 25 years ago and I'm loving it now. It's truly a blessing the way everything worked out for me to return.
So I hope you will check back in a few days as I have a special blog planned with pictures. I am going to share with you some of my aesthetic experiences of this place that will give you vivid images of a day in my life here at UT. I think you will find some of the stories humorous and intriguing, so come on back. I want to send out a special "Thank you" to Cyndi, Leigh, and Erik for giving me this opportunity. I look forward to working with you all.
Until next time Vol seekers...... it's great to be a Vol blogger!
My name is Melanie and I take pride in the fact that I am not the traditional student. I am an adult student returning to school after 25 years to finish my degree. I am also the mother of 3 boys that are college students as well, one of whom attends UT. My son, Matt, and I have a class together. No it was not planned, it was by accident but he is adjusting well I have to say. To add insult to his injury, we were made lab partners because we have the same last name. I actually thought it was hilarious as did all my friends, he however did not. It was quite funny walking into class that first day and seeing the terror in his eyes. I was a cool mom, I went to the front and sat down without acknowledging him. When he found out that I had been chosen to be an official blogger for UT, he rolled his eyes and said; "Oh no, it's going to get out!" This whole situation gives the term "helicopter mom" a whole new dimension I believe. My other sons will be coming to UT next year and I have countless neighborhood sons roaming this campus as well. My neighborhood sons, all friends of my boys, are always glad to see me. They hug me and one even sat down to eat with me the other day. Matt would never dare set down to eat with me anywhere on campus bless his heart. That's okay, I know he loves me and still needs me.
I have returned to this sacred institution to pursue my love of writing and the theatre. I have been involved in community theatre all my life and plan to finish my degree in the Fall of 2011. I direct a group of about 26 actors for a christian theatre company at a large church in north Knox County. We do large productions with full sets, costumes and all the bells and whistles. It is a lot of work but so fulfilling. On top of attending school and being a mom, wife, writer and director, I also work full time as a manager for a company that sells European children's clothing. It's a great job with no stress, great pay, and wonderful clientele. So you see, I lead a very busy life and I love it!
I have so many things that I want to share with you about the University of Tennessee and I look forward to telling you about my experiences this semester. There are some funny things that I have encountered as an adult student. I also want to share with you my love of UT. This campus is absolutely gorgeous during the Fall and the sights, sounds, and smells keep me looking forward to class every day. Now that's something you may not hear from the traditional student...looking forward to class everyday? Please don't think I am a nerd okay? I don't think I am, even though my boys might. My English professor told me that I had not made any of the common cultural mistakes that most of her adult students make. Marilyn said that I seemed pretty cool. Now that's a first for me, calling my professor by her first name. She is a great American lit teacher by the way, so hilarious, we laugh our heads off in her class. Anyway, it is wonderful to be back at UT. I loved it 25 years ago and I'm loving it now. It's truly a blessing the way everything worked out for me to return.
So I hope you will check back in a few days as I have a special blog planned with pictures. I am going to share with you some of my aesthetic experiences of this place that will give you vivid images of a day in my life here at UT. I think you will find some of the stories humorous and intriguing, so come on back. I want to send out a special "Thank you" to Cyndi, Leigh, and Erik for giving me this opportunity. I look forward to working with you all.
Until next time Vol seekers...... it's great to be a Vol blogger!
Labels: Blog Introduction
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