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Feb 9, 2012

Making and Presenting a Slideshow~ Tips

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This is a blog just because I’m frustrated in my writing class.  We are currently doing presentations on underdogs.  Everyone in the class is assigned an “underdog” and we have to explain who are underdog is, what happened and why they are considered an underdog.

I did mine on David (vs Goliath) and posted it on my blogsite.  http://girlboxer1970.com/2012/01/28/off-with-his-head/ The photos from my presentation slideshow  are with in my story online.  The actual slideshow presentation I showed in class had only one slide with words on it, comparing David to Goliath similar to a fighters card.  The rest was photos that gave examples of what I was actually describing or referring to.

Here are some simple tips for making a slideshow that works well with your oral presentation.

1.  Think “less is more.”  Slideshows crammed with words is a complete waste of time.  Professors don’t want to hear you read what’s on the screen anymore than you classmates do.  Use only few words and more visual examples to make understanding your topic easier.

2.  Pictures are great in slide shows.  Make sure they will appear focused on-screen.  Only put two to four pictures per screen. (remember less is more.)  Cite where the pictures came from.

3. Don’t use more slides than you can show within your presentation time frame.  Five or six well-done slides for an 8 minutes oral report is good.  The focus should be what you are saying.  Flying through sixteen slides  is to quick for an audience to grasp and that defeats the whole purpose of the slideshow.

4. Check your slides carefully for typos.

5. Don’t depend on a video clips to fill up your time.  If the professor wanted video after video, it wouldn’t be an oral presentation.  Keep the clips short and to the point.  If you really want to show “that winning touchdown” just have video of the throw and catch, not the last four and a half minutes of the game.

6. Try making your slideshow before writing what you want to say.  Seeing a picture, chart, graph, quote, etc. can help you organize your thoughts before writing the verbal part of your presentation.  This makes everything flow much better.

7. Know what slide is coming up by writing it on your notecards, paper etc.  Make some sort of notation on your notes so you know it’s time to move to the next slide.  Again, makes it flow.

8. Do not have gum in your mouth for Christ’s sake!

9. Act professional during the presentation.  Humor used properly will keep your audience’s attention.  If the presentation is on a somber subject then humor would not be proper.

10.  Finally, for the love of God, do not use these “filler” words: um, right, kinda, you know, okay, sorta, and, like.  “This slide is…um….of David. And he was a shepard….okay.  God thought David was sorta special, you know.  Kinda like a “superhero”….um….okay”  (You get the point)

Hope this may help anyone who reads it.  Other ideas for tips?  Add in the comments!

Good luckies!

~P.

Filed Under: College, Professional Writing Class · Tagged: , , ,
Feb 9, 2012

Is she sick?

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I went to gymnastics tonight, looking forward to seeing Tesla practice.  I arrived early and was working on my Spanish while I waited for Tesla to arrive with her father. (Originally, I thought I would get her after school.  That was not permitted.)  Then I thought I would at least get to drive her home  after practice.

Well, that didn’t happen either.  At 5:52 PM I get a text from John.

“No gymnastics tonight all children have upset stomachs.”

Are you serious?  Eight minutes before gymnastics starts he texts me they aren’t coming.  I wrote back, “Why did you wait until now to tell me!?  I am at gym already.”  He didn’t respond which I expected. I called.  Voicemail.  😦

I texted him “Please let tt call me.”  No response.

I tried calling again.  Voicemail.  I let a message asking what is wrong with all the children?  Tesla had been complaining of stomach pains over my weekend with her.  I let her father know about the pain, low grade fever and what medication I gave her.  He called me later, asking again because Tesla was still hurting.

At 8:10 I texted “Please have tt call me.”  No response.

I have the right to speak to my daughter.  The right to know what is wrong with her and if she is going to be taken to see our doctor.

AND

I want to say goodnight to my child, especially if she doesn’t feel good.

 

~P.

 

Filed Under: John, Tesla · Tagged: , ,
Feb 8, 2012

Dear John~ domestics debacle

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Letters he nevers learns from

Dear John,

It wasn’t good to see you this morning.  I’m sure you felt the same way.

I was surprised when you came alone.  No lawyer in tow today?  I wonder why that is…did you feel you had everything under control yourself?  Or your lawyers weren’t available?  Your lawyers quit?  My lawyer sent him a letter back in December and so far, no response.  You know, I had a lawyer quit a couple of years back when this divorce process was started….by you.  He quit shortly after you emptied our entire house of everything and didn’t tell me.  Was I really surprised you did that?  No.  I didn’t have Tesla with me when I went there for the first time.  I thank God I didn’t because I don’t know how I would have explained where everything was.  You took out everything in 24 hours, even Tesla’s belongings.  I have pictures of this pathetic attempt to control things in the house.  Any respect I still had for you vanished that day.

Back to domestics, did you notice this time Carla was actually showing interest in what exactly our marriage situation is?  Perhaps they are going to look a little deeper at our case?  Or, maybe she was just being nosey ya know?  Asking the questions she did.  You have to admit, it is all fascinating.  The only draw back: it’s our life and what’s left of “our life” is just wrapping it up.  It really pisses me off that I am no longer entitled to alimony because I have a man living in my home. What kind of bullshit is that?  I’m not married to Dale, I’m married to YOU.  It’s not even about the money since it wasn’t that much.  It’s just the damn point.

What blows my mind is that you are going to file for child support.  Even Carla seemed surprised that you are insisting on holding me to pay you support.  You really do want it all don’t you?  The business, the house, our child and support payments to boot.  I tried to talk to you about support and you just refuse to even listen.  All you have to do is sign a piece of paper saying you do not request support.  Is that really asking too much?  The amount you would receive will be just as sad as my hourly rate.  It’s ironic that when we met, you told me to tell my son’s father he didn’t have to pay me the $200 a month support for Jarrid and Zeth.  Do you remember?  Saying to me, “$200 dollars a month is nothing.”  When I asked you what you thought I should have to pay you, your response was, “That’s up to the courts to decide.”  Since when do you want a court to decide anything?!

SO,  instead of me  wasting my time “looking for a job” or making a pitiful hourly wage, just realize how this will affect Tesla.    This will take away my availability to see Tesla, to study hard to keep my GPA high, and take care of my home.  Those are my “jobs” and  I have taken school loans out to the tune of $15,000 so far just to pay rent and live.  Oh, since we are still married, you are responsible for half….

Please take a moment and really think this over.  What’s best for Tesla is to spend time with her parents.  What is best for any child is to spend time with their parents and since we are separated we have to split her time.  It should be as equal as we can make it while living in different school districts.  I’ve never kept Tesla from you and ask that you would do the same for me.  She needs her mother to be part of her schedule, not an after-thought, every other weekend.  The more she sees me, the easier it will be for her to accept that she has to live with you.  She said to me that she told you she wanted to live with me and you told her “no.” Yes, legally, she is in your “custody” and you don’t have to share that time with me.   It is just selfish that you don’t want to.  I don’t ask for unreasonable amounts of time to see Tesla or even over night.  That threat you made, “You better drop this or I won’t let you see her except for every other weekend.”  You are threatening me with seeing her less, because I am asking to see her more than every other weekend.  Why would I drive there if she had no interest in going away with me?  She wants to see me.

There is no reason we can’t work out a schedule for Tesla and I to spend time together on a regular basis.

There is no reason I should have to get a part-time job to pay you support when every cent our moving company makes, you keep.

There is no reason Dale should be held responsible for me when I am still fucking married to you.

I am not saying I think you should have to pay child support to me.  What I am saying is: I think you are requesting child support just to be a jerk.  To make my life harder, which seems to make you happy.  I get that you want me to know you are “in control” of Tesla.  The person who doesn’t get it, is Tesla.  Our divorce is causing too much stress on her.

Let’s make a goal for 2012.  All four of us should try to get divorced from our spouses so we can get on with our lives.  Maybe then, Dale and I CAN get married!

I pray every night for this part of our lives to be finalized.  God doesn’t answer my prayers any faster than your lawyer answers letters.

See you tomorrow 🙂

~P.

Tesla and I are looking forward to Wednesday afternoon and spending time together.  Please allow her and I to spend a few hours together before gymnastics.  It really means a lot to her.

P.S.  I just got off the phone with you.  How dare you tell me to get a job and help support our daughter?  The nerve of you to tell me times are tough when you just took a week’s vacation before Christmas.  You haven’t paid any support since November yet I survived.  Now you don’t have to pay support at all and I will survive.   I can not believe you said “all this time you have to volunteer in Tesla’s class, you could be working.”  It’s crystal clear you are limiting my time with Tesla because you have been “granted” power by Judge Dorney.   You said it yourself on the phone, just now, because you don’t want me part of her routine.

It saddens me that you just don’t get that you are hurting Tesla.  What she says is HER words.  I don’t “tell” her what to say nor do I put ideas in her head.  I give her honest answers to her questions and anything I say, she is free to tell you.    I don’t listen in on your conversations, nor limit how long you talk to Tesla.  You on the other hand, do both.    You have given me permission to take Tesla home after gymnastics.  If that’s all the time you will allow me, I guess there is nothing I can do.  It’s Tesla who will be disappointed she can’t go to dinner with her cousin Blaine because she has to eat dinner at home, on schedule, as a family.  In my humble opinion (which I realize means nothing to you) she should have a night during the week when I can pick her up and we can do things with her cousin, brothers, friends, etc.

Like I said at domestics today, in the long run you’ll see the error in your ways.  You should retake the Kids First Class.  http://girlboxer1970.com/2011/07/11/kids-first/  I really don’t think you learned a damn thing.

Also, since you claim not to read my blog, I will email this to you.  That way you, Heather and LaDonna can all have the opportunity to read it together.

~P.

Filed Under: Dale, Divorce, Family, John, Tesla · Tagged: , , , , , ,
Feb 5, 2012

Well that sucked….

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Loved this rant. LMAO

Filed Under: Blogs I reblog ·
Feb 4, 2012

Dale~Top 10

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****Caution John**** You may not want to read how happy I am in this blog.

My Top 10 of Dale Hollinger:

10. He’s on Team Pattie.  Bless his heart and patience, I guess I’m worth waiting for cause he is my #1

9.  What a crazy sense of humor.  Occasionally I have to make you stop making me-laugh cause it hurts.

8.  He is one smart man.  I have no idea what all that computer gibberish is that you talk about everyday, but you’re good at what you do.

7.  Tattoos,  pierced nipples and scars!  Oh my!

6.  Over the past.  It doesn’t matter if it’s your childhood, the accident, ex-wives or ex-girlfriends, Dale is over it.

5.  Dishwasher.  Bless his soul, he does them by hand.

4.  Respectable guy.  Helps people out, treats people well.

3.  Amazing lover.  He brings a whole new level to multiple orgasms.

2.  Resists the drama.  Bullshit is always flying, he respects me by not letting himself be drawn in.

1.  Love.  I love him and he loves me.  He really does love me.

Not that fake-ass love I fell for in the past.

~P.

Filed Under: Dale, Divorce · Tagged: , , , ,
Feb 3, 2012

Volunteering

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This is just a little bit weird to me but…..nothing surprises me.

I just spoke with the principal at Tesla’s school.  Suddenly, there is no restriction to my volunteering.  I may come anyday, whether John volunteers that day or not.  The principal made it sound as though there had been miscommunication between her and Ms. Dettinger.  I don’t think it was a communication problem between the two of them….but Ms. Dettinger seems to have been thrown under the bus.

The principal said, “You both are equally allowed to come to the school.  As adults, there should not be an issue.”

I most certainly agreed with her.  I am relieved and thrilled to feel welcome in Tesla’s classroom again.

One in my favor,

~P.

Filed Under: Divorce, John, Tesla · Tagged: ,
Feb 3, 2012

Naked Dude

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It was 1:10 AM on Feb. 3rd, and I was relaxed, near sleep on the couch.  I thought I heard something and opened my eyes.  I heard it again and Ying jumped over me to the floor.  He pitched a fierce barking alert, snarling at the front door and leaping an impressive four feet.  He couldn’t see out the window, hell I barely could.  I expected my sister, Jarrid or Zeth.  There was a man I didn’t recognize at the front door.  I unlocked my front door to see what he wanted and peeked out the crack.

“Whoa!!  Dude is naked!” and I pushed the door shut and grabbed my cellphone.  I dialed 911.  The operator asked the usual questions and I heard my screen door open.  “Don’t come in!’ I yelled.

“Is he trying to enter your home?” she asked.  “Yes!” I replied.  “We have police in the area.  Is he still at your front door?” she asked.  “Yes!  He is naked.” I told her.

“Does he have anything in his hands?”  I looked out and this time I saw his underwear.  “He has underwear on.  He has something in his hand…maybe a t-shirt.”

Dude had to be freezing but I was not opening the door.  Dale came down the steps and I filled him in on what was happening.  He started to open the door and I stopped him.

“Don’t go out there!” I said to him, grabbing his arm.  The operator asked who was there and I told her.  Dude walked away.  I watched as far as I could see and he had to have gone around the back.  I saw the police on Rt 74,  in the parking area behind the townhouse, and one street over in the development behind us.  They had out the search lights.

I hung up with the 911 operator.  I went towards the street waving the police to go behind the townhouses.  They all drove to the rear and I went back inside to look out the back door.  Four minutes and thirty-six seconds and the police were everywhere.  Pretty good response time.  🙂

It didn’t take long and an officer was escorting Dude towards one of my neighbor’s house.  “Oh wow….it’s my neighbor?  Shit, did he just accidently locked himself out of his house?  Oh…. Oh my God!  Did I refuse to help my neighbor and let him out there in the cold.   I didn’t recognize him.  Never saw any of my neighbors in just their underwear.”

 

Dale and I watched with interest to see if he would come out dressed but with handcuffs as an accessory.  I had no idea what was going on.  Dale went back to bed and I stretched back out on the couch.  An officer came to the door at 1:45 and told me the neighbor had been cited with disorderly conduct.  He had a perscription bottle on him with crushed pills.  The police dumped the powder on the ground.

Almost Naked Dude had been acting oddly the night before and the police had spoke to him.  That was the warning.

1:11 AM Incident in undies (white and stretched out of shape)  Disorderly Conduct Fine

4:30 AM  Dude is out in the yard again and the police have the area surrounded.  I don’t know, but I’m guessing this one ended in jail.

ALWAYS KEEP the DOORS of your HOME LOCKED.  This is what happened on New Year’s Eve at my son’s apartment in Red Lion.

http://girlboxer1970.com/2012/01/03/shot-in-his-own-kitchen/

Stay safe and never let anyone into your home if you have reason to believe you could be in danger.  Even if you know them or think you recognize them.

People you know, don’t come to your house at 1 AM in just their underwear.  Now had he been sexy and in a g-string to wow me with a singing telegram….that would have been a

different story.  Yes, a whole different blog.  🙂

I think jockeys are sexy.

~P.

Filed Under: Dale, Just Life · Tagged: , ,
Feb 2, 2012

There is a dog in the hall

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My day went rather well.  Nothing earth-shaking happened and I appreciate the occasional, uneventful day.

First off was Spanish II and we had to do oral presentations.   I spoke as “Maria Gonzalez” about my visit to Cancun.  I  told them about the Mayan ruins, the beautiful beaches, and shopping for hand-made goods.  I took an empty bottle of Kahlua that was shaped like the Aztec architecture in that region, two hand-beaded necklaces, a woven purse, a painted clay dish and the tickets I had for entering the ruins at the city Chichen Itza.  I managed to speak my new name, where I went, what I wore,  what I did, bought, liked…etc.  I earned an 82% and that made me happy.

Second was Document Design class but we had a speaker instead.  She talked about internships, resumes, cover letters…blah blah.  I did my homework for Human Communications during her presentation.  Occasionally I would look up, nod my head and even make a relevent comment.  Other than that, I was absorbed in HumCom and finished the paper before she was even done her speech.

Last class was Writing 202 and we were discussing our topics for research.  My professor asked what my topic was and I said dogs.  I deliberately gave a super broad topic and waited for her to say, “And what about dogs?” to nudge me on with my specifics.

“I want to research skin care for hairless breeds of dogs.  Due to this breed of dog’s extreme tendency to have acne-ridden, dry, skin I hope to find the best way to care for my dog.”

“I see,’ Nancy answered.  “Your dog doesn’t have hair?” she asked.

“Not really,” I answered.

Jumping into the conversation someone yelled out, “Can she bring him in the day she presents?

That’s not really a cool idea.  If I’m giving a presentation, the last thing I want to worry about is Ying peeing on the floor while I talk! 

“Actually, he is in my car right now, I’ll go get him,”  I offered.

I ran out to my car and put Ying on the leash.  We walked down the hallway like we owned the place.  My classmates thought Ying was so cute and so well-behaved.  He walked around the room saying hi to everyone, then curled up at my feet.  At least he behaves in front of crowds.  My example of summarizing a chapter of a story earned me 47/50.  Happy with that too!

Class was over and we beat feet and paws off campus.

Me and Ying…..out.

~P.

 

 

 

Filed Under: College, Pets, Professional Writing Class, Spanish 101 · Tagged: , , , , , ,
Feb 1, 2012

Go see the Principal

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What’s the worst thing a teacher can say to a student?  Go to Principal “Doe’s” office.  That statement strikes fear in all students.

I remember in Dover Middle School,  getting caught with chewing gum in my mouth by Mr. Gohn, not once but twice.  He told me to put the gum on the end of my nose.  This was 7th grade I believe and there was no way in hell I was putting gum on the end of my nose and setting myself up for ridicule by my classmates.  OH HELL NO!  So I refused and Mr. Gohn said, “You have two options, put the gum on your nose or go to Principal Keller’s office.”  I stood up and said, “I’ll go to the office.”  Mr. Gohn paused and said “really?” and I replied, “yes.”   He raised his hands up and said, “well, ok then, go.”

I went to the office and was given detention that afternoon.  Ironically, the assistant principal was on detention duty that day and told us to leave as soon as he walked in the door.  Score one for team Pattie.

Now today was different.  I was told to go see the principal because….I now have to follow Canadochly Elementry school’s 6 day cycle and can only volunteer on day 6, after noon.  For the past three weeks, I had been volunteering in Tesla’s class one day a week on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday.  Ms. Dettinger and I would get in touch and decide a day that worked with my college classes.  Keep in mind, there are parents that come in everyday.   While the children were at music class, Ms. Dettinger asked me out to the hall.  She explained I can come in on day 6 and John can come on day 3.

I started to cry in the hall.  What kind of bullshit is this?  I can’t volunteer in my daughter’s class now because John called the office and laid down some strict schedule for when I can come in.  I see no reason for this restriction.  John has not volunteered in Tesla’s room so far this year.  If he can only make time on “Day 3 after noon” that is his scheduled time and I would respect that.  It should not cause me to lose time in Tesla’s classroom just because he isn’t going on any other days.
Adding salt to my wound, I learn Tesla has not done her homework for the past two days.  My head felt like it was going to rupture.  Why the hell isn’t Tesla getting her homework done?  John won’t let me see Tesla after school, pick her up from school or let me do homework with her.   Yet he isn’t doing homework with her!  How is this happening?  He states I can’t get Tesla after school because she has a strict schedule (and he isn’t allowing me to be part of it.)  Apparently homework isn’t making the schedule either.

I’ll be seeing the principal very soon and getting to the bottom of this.

With a tablet and pencil in hand,

~P.

Filed Under: College, Divorce, high school days, John, Tesla · Tagged: , , , ,
Jan 30, 2012

Pollos y Gatos

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chickens (pollos) and cats (gatos)

“Chickens & Cats”  Vacation in Mexico!  Spanish followed by English.

 

El año pasado viajé a Playa del Carmen Méjico por un semana.

Recib una oferta spectacular para  alquilar  un auto para cinco dias.  Sólo cuesta tres mil trescientos ochenta y uno pesos.  ¡Es una ganga!  Conduje mi auto de zona arqueológica de Chichen Itza.  Me gustaba el arte hecho a mano y me compré una bolsa azul y negra.

Nadé en de cenote de Dzitnup.  El agua de cenote es calido y limpio.  Busqué en el parque de nacional marine.  Me gustaban la tortugas gigantes y el pez de colores hermoso.

Muchas mujeres de Maya venden quesadillas para cincuenta pesos.  Yo compré dos y fue deliciosa.  Yo pregunté a la mujer “son de pollos y no gatos.  ¿Verdad?”  ¡Si! ella dicha.  Ellas todas reido conmingo.

Soy Tonto,

~P.

Last year I traveled to Playa del Carmen, Mexico for a week.  I received a spectacular offer to rent a car for five days.  It cost 3,381 pesos.  ($311.00)   It is a bargain!  I drove my car to the archeological zone of Chichen Itza.  I liked the handmade art and a bought a black and blue purse.

I swam in the natural spring of Dzitnup.  The water in the spring was warm and clean.  I scuba dove in the National Marine Park.  I liked the giant turtles and the many colored fish.

Many women of Maya sell quesadillas for fifty pesos.  I buy two and they were delicious.  I questioned the woman “they are of chicken and not cat. True?”   “Yes!” she said.  They all laugh with me.

I am silly,

~P.

 

Filed Under: College, Spanish 101 · Tagged: , , ,
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