Tech Tip: Google Timer

Tech Tip: Google Timer

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(Screen Capture of a Google Timer)

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       This tip was a interesting one for me, in learning how to do it and testing it out. Usually, I would describe myself as a person who enjoys working under pressure. Not only do I feel like I work best, because I am required to be concise instead of indulging my want to elaborate, but I also just enjoy pressure to a certain extent. The downside of this leads to procrastination more often times than not, which is why I thought the timer might recreate that feeling but allow me to get it done earlier.
        Setting it up was easy enough, following the instructions laid out by Professor Gibbs, but the real test was to see if my idea held up. I tried it out Friday before class and ultimately, I think my strong sense of laziness prevailed. Rather than encourage me to get it done, my anxiety by constantly checking where I was on the timer lead me to want to give up all together than be slightly late on the timer. I definitely will still try this timer idea out until I can break this dangerous habit but as far as first tries go, this one was a failure on my part.
      Nonetheless, I would recommend for others to try this out if they have a knack for working under pressure, the timer does do a good job of recreating that sense of urgency other people like me enjoy. I would just be careful with the expectations you put on yourself with each timer you set. Don't push too far or you might be prone to just giving up instead of prevailing. Overall, I think this is a neat tech tip that may need some more toying with for me but could be immediately great for others!

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Extra Reading Notes: Alice in Wonderland Part B

Reading Notes

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(Alice in Wonderland with Cards by Jackie Bassett)
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The Mad Tea Party

This first part of one of my favorite portions of Alice in Wonderland marks the charm of two iconic characters: the Mad Hatter and the March Hare. Probably more so than Alice herself, the Mad Hatter is a cultural icon and his charming nonsensical sense has a level of escapism that I think, no matter the age, all people tend to seek out. Adversely, you have the March Hare overly concerned with time keeping the groundedness of reality well and alive.  

The Mad Tea Party (Part II)

This portion of the Mad Tea Party is truly a lesson in what fun dialogue can bring to a story. More often than not, it is easier to just write out a story not concerning one's self with any dialogue just making the character come alive based solely on description. But the charm of dialogue is that by writing in the character's voice the cadence of the character's words can do more for character building than a two paragraph long description. This rings true for the Dormouse in this scene, no real character description but the dialogue is enough to hold it up. 

The Mad Tea Party (Part III)

This ending always struck me as a lovely unfinished piece. There is no real conclusion with the Dormouse and his additions to Alice's adventures but it does nothing to dull the charm of the stories. As a reader I am not sure what Carroll did to pull this off. Was it his diligent world-building that let me accept this as a proper ending? Was it the character already being introduced fleetingly? Just goes to showcase Lewis Carroll's genius in writing.

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All reading notes are based off of excerpts from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll (1865).

Reading Notes: Alice in Wonderland Part A

Reading Notes

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(Alice in Wonderland with Cards by Jackie Bassett)
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Down the Rabbit Hole

As a child my father used to read me Through the Looking Glass to calm me after nightmares so I have collected multiple versions of that version of Alice's story but I have yet to read this book fully. The first chapter reminded me of why I love Lewis Carroll's writing so much. The prose and almost flirty cadence he creates that the reader just falls into is impeccable. 

Down the Rabbit Hole (Part II)

This portion has one of my favorite scenes in Alice in Wonderland: Alice and the 'Drink Me' Bottle. It stands out, not just for its icon status but because of its incredible sense of detail. Like the detail of what the drink tasted of, most authors probably would have left it at "a sickeningly sweet taste," but Carroll gave an entire mixture of familiar foods that let you experience each one as he listed them. One thing I can really take away from Carroll is his attention to detail. 

Down the Rabbit Hole (Part III)

To end Alice's trip down the rabbit hole, this part had the most action within the three parts. Although Alice fell down in the previous parts in this one she grows twice her size and must figure a way out and into wonderland. This part also has the fastest pace, which was a lesson in the flow a story must keep up. As I have been having a difficult time with active verbs, I particularly searched them out in this portion and was greeted with a highly active voice throughout. The use of active verbs created the urgency that the portion needed to keep interest.

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All reading notes are based off of excerpts from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll (1865).