Seeing Sideways

I just started a new semester today in school. I decided this semester was going to be different than the previous three. The first couple semesters I took pre-req classes and then I decided to do only classes that focused on my degree. But after three semesters of project heavy classes, I was burned out. While I love being creative, doing project after project became over whelming and I needed something…different.

So my first class of the semester was Seeing Sideways, and it is, as the professor described, the anti-class. I thought after reading the syllabus that it would really stretch me, because it appeared to be a ‘subjective’ class, which I didn’t think I would like, because I like to measure where I am at. But after she went over her idea of the class and the purpose that she wants it to play in our lives, I think I’m really going to enjoy it. It IS going to be a stretch in the way that I will have to learn to open my mind a little more and be creative within, instead of trying to create for someone else. But that should be good. I mean, the names that we learn about in history books are of those people who did things differently, they went against the grain. Some people can live a life like that, but I don’t think I can. I have a wife and children and other responsibilities, but I think I can create opportunities in my life to live ‘outside’ the norm, find a new creativity from inside myself (whether it be successful or not), but balance that with real life expectations. (I’m watching the Notre Dame/Alabama Championship game right now | GO IRISH!!!)

Anyway, class today was pretty interesting, but it was relieving too. For example, we get a break in each class about half way through the class. Our professor told us we can go on break, but we have to go in our desks (they are on wheels and roll). If you go to the bathroom, roll there in your desk and only get out to do your business. If you smoke, roll in your desk down to the elevator, take the elevator down, and roll outside and smoke, and do the same thing coming back. But what was interesting, someone in the class decided (at first) to not listen to her and just walk like normal. But the thing is, because she asked us to, and we were doing it, he was abnormal for doing the normal. And she was ok with that. It’s pretty much a class to challenge the rules or boundaries. I don’t think the purpose is to be rebellious, but to challenge ourselves really. And that is relieving to me. The last 3 semesters, I took classes that I really did find interesting and wanted to learn more about, but due to the limitations put on by the instructors, I was turned off to the complete subject. I used to be interested in 3D modeling. I took 3 classes, but I’m finished with it. Why? Because the limitations of the teaching style of that instructor turned me off. Not that he is a bad instructor, but his way of teaching just doesn’t do it for me. So my interest in something is now gone because I didn’t fit inside the box of someone else.

So this class is a relief because it IS and will show me HOW to think differently.

Anyway, I will be utilizing my blog for assignments for this class as well as my regular blog. So if you follow my blog, you may get a few posts that are not of the norm every now and then. Feel free to comment and ask questions about anything that interests you on here!!