This is my practice podcast

This is just a practice. Don't listen. :)

Podcast

Podcasting is proving to be quite a fun activity because it really shows a person how he/she speaks. I've been working on my script, and I've found that the best method is to get a solid paragraph or two down, record it, listen to what I said when I recorded it, and go back and add in all the extra little words that make my speech my speech. I'm not sure if this is the best method as far a getting a "professional" podcast out, though. The original written script is formal but not uptight, but when I read it, I never fail to add in little extras like "okay, enough with that; let's get moving." I'm not sure if these little tidbits will enhance the podcast by making me more of a real human being or if they will negate the seriousness with which it is received. I'm hoping for the former. Feel free to reassure me. :)

What is less fun about podcasting is having to listen to myself. I'm finding little accents and nuances to my speech that I had no idea about and that I wish I still didn't know about. I mean, no matter how many times I try to say "okay" in a way that sounds "normal" to me (I use scare quotes so as not to imply that there is an actual right or wrong way to pronounce some things), I inevitably end up sounding like I'm from MinnesOta. And nothing against Minnesotans, but I don't like the way I sound. So, yes-- that aspect of podcasting has been somewhat problematic.

On the whole, though, I'm enjoying it. I'm hoping the podcast itself will prove useful to others. That is yet to be seen.

sunshine :)

Weather is such a funny thing. Or perhaps. more appropriately, the effect of weather on people (at least on myself) is such a funny thing. It's truly remarkable the power to which it can affect my mood and resultant actions. I'd never survive in a place like Seattle (unless of course Edward Cullen really did exist and he was enamored with me instead of Bella, but I digress...). So, today, as with the past few days, I awoke to the wonder that is sunshine. In February. Nice, warm sunshine. Naturally, I was happy and eager to do anything involving said weather. And I enjoyed myself, driving with the sunroof open, lounging outside, and just generally soaking up the warmth.

Here's what's interesting. When the weather is wonderfully warm, I cannot bring myself to stay inside. Even worse, I have so much trouble concentrating on anything that isn't as light and warming as the sun that I generally am not productive, school-wise, on days like this. Yet, on days when the weather is dreary, rainy, etc., I also can't be productive because I get so bummed about the day. I feel listless and sad, and any work I do get done on these days inevitably has to be re-worked because my listlessness comes through.

Really, it's only on the cold but not snowy days that I am a fully productive student during the daytime. In the evenings, I am fine, despite what the weather, as my current blog time will exemplify, but my daytime work ethic depends much on the sun or lack thereof. I don't know if this is something particular to me or common to most. If the former, does that say something deeper about my status as a student or perhaps about my outlook? I'm not really sure. What I am sure of is that today was a beautiful day. Just wonderful.