Friday, August 29, 2008

Here Is Your First Blog Quiz of the Fall 2008 Semester

I returned to work yesterday. It was the first time I stepped foot on campus in two months. That is just enough time to decompress from the previous school year, restore my energy, motivate myself, and then prepare for the new semester. Yesterday’s return was not a moment too soon; yet, I was relaxed and ready to reconnect with my colleagues. Next week, the students return.

It was about 100 degrees in San Jose, and the staff's spirits were high. We had a day of schmoozing and catching up in a number of different forums. In our afternoon division meeting, we heard about people’s vacations, weddings, births of grandchildren, adoptions of puppies, attendance at conferences and presentations of academics papers.

The Dean zig-zagged his way from the front of the room to the back, making sure people received kudos for the things they deemed important (better known as morale boosting).When he got to the back of the room where I sat, I took a chance, raised my hand, and hesitantly announced that I had started a blog over the summer called My Seat on the Beach: Learning to Let Go and Flow.

I heard murmurs of interest and received a rather rousing round of applause. I was pleased. Delighted, really. I think my blog title is a catchy one, and hope that it will net a devoted readership soon.

So you can imagine how excited I was at the end of the day, when a gaggle of teachers surrounded me. Fans already?! Why didn’t I start this blog sooner in my career?

Colleague #1: When I heard that title, YaYa, I thought: That’s a one-woman Broadway show in the making.

Moi: Oh, I’m flattered. That's a great idea. I've never thought of that.

Colleague #2: That’s a show I would see any day. What did you say the name of it was? Sex on the Beach?

Is that what she heard? Is that what everyone thought they heard? YaYa started a blog this summer and its called: Sex on the Beach: Learning to Let Go and Flow!!!

And, look: The title works. Plus, the new one is so much...well...sexier than my original. Talk about buidling a reading audience. This is worth consideration.

So, folk, what shall I do? (Here is your first blog quiz of the fall semester.)

Should YaYa:

A. Race to enroll in a Speech and Articulation class
B. Give her colleagues coupons to a hearing specialist
C. Rename her blog
D. Change the content of her blog
E. None of the above. I believe YaYa should ________________________________________________
(Click on Comments at the end of this piece and write you answers there.)






And, oh yeah..sex on the beach? Don't recommend it. SAND!!!


                                                                                          

10 comments:

Unknown said...

Hello Ya Ya. Keep on keepin' on!!!

Erik said...

I think you shouldn't change a damn thing! :) I love what you're writing about! And I think that what people hear says a great deal more about the "story" in their heads, rather than physiological dysfunction. Having said that, if you want to write about great beach sex experiences, go right ahead! :)

I'm also very glad you took the chance and told your colleagues that you're writing this blog. I think it is a measure of your joy in this work and the increasing self-confidence you feel in your writing. You go Ms. Thing - you're kicking butt and asking for email addresses.

Anonymous said...

YaYa,
Whadda hoot! Just goes to show you that people really do hear what they want to hear.

"Believe half of what you see, none of what you hear"
-based on Proverbs of Alfred, 1300, but best remembered by Marvin Gaye 1968 version of I Heard it Through the Grapevine

I say keep "My Seat on the Beach".

Love, Cornelia

Mimi said...

Hey YaYa, you're kidding right?

You certainly should not change the name of your blog... My Seat on the Beach, Learning to Let Go and Flow is not only brilliant; it is who you are and it's about your life.

Who cares what your colleague heard. People hear what they want and need to hear. Remember my dear "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Keep the name of your blog as it is and write about whatever YaYa feels she wants to write about.

You keep writing and posting eventually it will catch on.

Peace

Unknown said...

My Dear Readers: Yes, of course, I am kidding. I was just trying to get you to leave a message! Love Ya, YaYa

Anonymous said...

My name is Buddy, and recently I have had the great fortune to be re kindled with Ya Ya. We go wayyyyy back from New Jersey.You all should know that the only reason she asked me to post something was to hopefully insure that I would read her posting (s).Well I actually did. When I first spoke to her last month in her response to the passing of my Dad,alot came rushing back, which was very nice. Same laugh, same gentleness. Now, the fact that I have lusted for her lo these many years has nothing to do with it ( NOT ).You're probably asking yourselves how any of this pertains to Ya Ya's writing's. Actually it has nothing to do with it. Simply, I am thrilled to be talking to her again after many years, and looking forward to dinner and dancing at The Manor ! Love you Ya Ya

Anonymous said...

Heyy
I think that you shouldnt change
a thing....
&& I like the picture of the
two turtles too hahahaha!!!

Leopoldo said...

This is about you! Not about what they think or perceive. It is in essence a "mental cleansing mechanism" to get things out of your dear sweet soul that the part of the world that cares about you needs to know about you. If I could write like you and express myself the way you can, I would do the same thing.
Keep it up, it ain't broke, so don't try to fix it!

Prof. Michele said...

I just stopped by and I love your blog. I think YaYa shoukd keep doing her thing! I find your blog beautiful, tranquil and inspiring! Thank you.

whodiddat? said...

This is the first blog I've been invited to. I'm really excited! By the way, what's your dog's name?