5 posts tagged “i better never stop learning”
... (redefine this goal if obstacles are too great)
Since I was in about middle school I've thought it'd be the coolest thing to stand at the head of a classroom throwing out knowledge, asking questions, getting students' questions in return.
It just so happens that I'm good at editing, and that editing (the real stuff -- the stuff that gets beyond grammar and spelling) is a skill that knows few boundaries. So it will likely be a skill that people, at least a few of them, will need to help keep our journalism and blogging and writing in general good and strong.
I do worry that my limited education (aren't you supposed to have a Master's to teach?) could get in the way of getting in front of a formal class. But that's not to say I couldn't tutor, or help advise a student newspaper and lean on their copy editors.
... blogs/books written by people whose accomplishments inspire me
In addition to spending a little too much time reading pop fluff, I don't spend quite enough time acquainting myself with the inspiring stuff -- the words of people who do great things. I'd say for every celebrity who's babies' names I know, there are at least a hundred people doing truly amazing, meaningful things, and letting the world in on those things, either through blogs or books. Even lecture series, documentaries, what have you.
I'd like to dedicate a little more time seeing what the world looks like to them.
It is shameful, shameful that I can't speak Spanish more fluently. My father's from Colombia, South America, and I took Spanish all through high school and much of college. But I've let my skills rust.
I want my babies speaking their grandfather's language, so it's time to start cracking some books, reading ElTiempo.com and just talking, talking, talking.
I love teaching people. I was on a small team of people in the newsroom in Roanoke that helped everyone else move from one publishing system to another, and I think that's where I first realized that I get a thrill from showing other people what they can do.
That new publishing system happened to use Adobe's programs (InDesign, InCopy, Illustrator), and I've been using those things ever since. I still love them. And I'm still finding out new tricks and new possibilities. So why not take it to the next level?
I have recently focused my attention to work on processes and efficiency. I'm pretty good at it. And if I knew how to automate programs, I'd be able to really push efficiency to its limits.
So I've got an Applescripting book on order, and I'm ready with a list of thigns I'd like to make it do for me.
