Psychical Distance - What is it?

Distance? What is this guy talking about not till the very end past all the bull about fog and what not did I even come sloe to getting the main point. Jesus he lost me so bad I thought I was in some movie the way he was working it. Not until the end when the author mentions how “artists can formulate [pieces] artistically only on condition of a detachment from the experience qua personal”.

“His personal implication in the event renders it impossible for him to formulate and present it in such a way as to make others, like himself, feel all the meaning and fullness which it possesses for him.”

To me this says it is really impossible to create something or write something to create the feelings you have while doing it for another person. Can’t be done. It is impossible I agree. Here is why, because there is no way to create something unless you actually experienced it yourself. Plain and simple.

But given that I think, like the reading states, it comes down to the power of the individual and the character of the piece. There is a very fine line. I feel like this distance between art and the audience is more of a social problem rather than a problem to be solved blaming the art or the artist. It can be as simple and just not having the open mind there to close that gap or not have enough creativity allowed to ones self to create this connection between things. Distance is relative just like time but everyone’s perspective is different that what makes it tricky.

Happiness Project - Getting Started

I don’t know why but this book to me is very intriguing. As far as the introduction goes I think it starts out already trying to inspire you. The mere name sounds like interventions for self-actualization and happiness to be found by all. Realizing that this feeling of disconnect occurs to another was a sigh of relief I too though I have much to be happy about often feel disconnected and lonely almost. This idea seems to be very undermined and taken for granted by most people according to the author and I feel like it is an important topic to touch on considering happiness is the key to life really. If we aren’t happy then we aren’t living out to our full potential and enjoying ourselves.

In regards to journaling I feel like this idea of happiness is often time translated into most writing and if its not happy it is sad. To be honest I feel like many personal journals are always sad or angry thought translated to paper. Yeah it’s a good place to get feelings out but do something about it. I k now I used to be more on the negative side and in the last three to four years turned my attitude around almost one hundred percent. Being happy is one way you can focus and make your journalism more of an experience for yourself and for others—if they can read it—and it will make you feel better all around as well.

Happiness Project - Pay Attention

In this weeks section of The Happiness Project I found it to be super relatable because the author keeps referencing situations that happen to me all the time. Example one feeling ad focusing on anxiety happens to the best of us and seeing that it is used to find self-fulfillment is awesome to me. I don’t feel so bad about myself anymore.

The idea of running on autopilot happens to me all the time as well. I am not sure if it is because my mind is racing with other thoughts of if it my sub conscious just canceling out my instinctive awareness. I too struggle to stay in the moment and find the better things there are going on around me. Hence why I am also taking a transformation of consciousness class.

Over all trying to be more mindful is what the author and myself seem to be seeking. I need to learn to harness my idea of time and take a step back; enjoy the little things that I miss on a daily basis. I fell like learning to change the way you look at things by any means necessary is one of the key parts of leaning to focus and pay attention. Even when pertaining to life on a broader scale.

Lastly the food diary was discussed and though I never understood the power that these diaries hold I figured I would start to be more mindful as a result of reading what can happen while browsing online. Seems to me to be a worthwhile thing to at least try in a mental state. But as mentioned in the book this habit tends to be very difficult for most people to catch onto so we shall see who it goes and I will re evaluate in a future post.

Genre and Conventions of Journals

Journal 1

First journal I chose to pick out is that of my sister. She is a true journal writer and was the first persona I chose to ask to check out her journal since I am so new to this. Over all I thought I would find many similarities perhaps between her and my journaling style. For one we both love the power or image and hers is filled with mixed pictures collages and messages that mean a lot to here. That is something I kind have started going on my blog where I post a photo with my blog every time. Some of which are even private and I am not allowed to look at those ones.

The book itself is made of transparent paper bound by a hard clover that is textured like the scales of an alligator. I found this to be an interesting choice for something that is to hold so much inside, and be somewhat of a safe haven. I also found it interesting that her journal is so big it’s massive slightly bigger than an 8.5 by 11 sheet of paper. It seems like this journal is mainly were my sister stores ideas for her life long passions and dreams. She loves surfing and wants to live in different countries all of this is depicted in either writing on in image form. It’s more entertaining just to flip through then anything.

As far as were actual writing goes however it is very deep and is always talking to her own self. I see that now and it makes a lot of sense having a sense of being and belonging is very important in knowing the world around you. My journal is kind of the same just more casual she goes in depth with everything, drawings, paintings, essays, and small poems. Over all I think that the most informal journaling styles can yield themselves to be the most powerful as well as be more fun to read. If the journal writer lets you, I just so happened to get lucky enough to read my sisters.

Journal 2

Next I looked back on one of my favorite books ever. It’s Not About The Bike, by Lance Armstrong. It’s his personal journal recounting the struggle of competing in a world-renowned bike race while battling cancer at the same time. However upon revisiting it I realized that this kind of journal was one that was not as personal as my sisters. Not be cause the writing was less interesting or important to me, but because since its mass-produced it loses some of its special unique qualities.

For me this falls in to the genre of collaborative journaling because though it is years of journaling compacted into a full piece. The book has been honed and edited time and time again. To me form my first week journaling this would seem great for academic standards but I feel the essence of a journal is to let the ideas and emotions flow, while disregarding all focus on making sure it all looks good as well as having to let some grammar errors slip by. At least to me that what I have felt is the basic notion that separated journaling from formal writing.

By modern standards the book is a rather appealing book however with easy to find chapters, nice thick pages, and even the print does take of the page in an intimidating manner. There is an even a small section of images towards the center of the book for reference and to me I think this is hat makes this most like a journal. As I mentioned before I feel like images can be very helpful in telling a story even if it is to you. My mind can remember images easier than the writing I have written in the past for sure.

Journal 3

Lastly I examined something rather personal to myself, and that is the journal of my girlfriend. She periodically write about and glue in photos of our experiences and share this with me every once and a while. It’s a small little book with yellow pages held together by a small elastic band. The look, size, and texture of the journal is very cute and speaks for its self when one reads what is inside. Clearly a very personal place to be writing contrary to the two other two mentioned above.

Though there is little to no writing inside they are much more sentimental and in chronological order making the nostalgia effect very prominent. I feel like this is the most creative way to journal is to show rather than tell at least if it is for someone else. If it is like my sisters where it is personal then it could be executed otherwise. But again it all depends on what works best for the persona writing the journal. The size is another thing worth noting it is the smallest of all three journals and yet holds more images than either of the others. I found that interesting because generally picture books are larger.

Over all seeing the types of journals and what constitutes being a journal was really cool to take the time and explore. I feel like my journaling is at its most basic point now but could totally see it developing into something like what I have looked over in the last few days. The primary component I feel is the creativity that is put our and the passion for the writing you are producing. Passion is and always will be something that drives me wherever I go. 

Week One - Feeling It Out

This class has slowly made its way into my daily life finally and after touching on everything last week I think I may have this journaling stuff down pretty soon. We shall see where it takes me.

I started off by getting a new journal because my last one was not doing it for me. It was too big and I had previously used it for an agenda so decided to start fresh. I purchased a new one threw a sticker on it and "Voila" its is my journal. I am quite stoked on it If I do say so myself.

So far after last weeks class I think that in addiction to the readings, the cookies, the coffee, and the other students, just by doing my first journal I feel different. Just free writing about my work was eye opening, and I was able to get into the flow of things. I guess having this kind of freedom is not how i felt writing was ever supposed to be.

I always knew writing as part of education so this is a nice step back and I can just enjoy writing. Plus it feels good to get some things out on paper instead of getting the words out in a face to face conversation. I have also decided to incorporate photography into my Blog entries as if is something aside from writing that I can be equally open about online.

Happy Monday!

Who is Nick Salsbury?

Nicholas Michael Salsbury, born March 13th 1990 in a small town called Newton Massachusetts. Before long Nick and his family boarded a giant Boeing 747 to start their new family in Geneva Switzerland. This is where Nick as well as his parents grew as a family unite, learning new things from one another and making new friends. 

Nick became very interested in skateboarding, a sport he perfected once he came state side later on. Nick honed his trilingual skill set, and made sure to secure some of the tightest friendships he had in Switzerland before he and his family made their way to sunny Santa Barbara California. 

At age thirteen Nick started his first day of school in the United States. It is hard to believe it was such a short time ago. Nick quickly lost his accent, and stereotypically strange fashion sense and became accustomed to every day American life. A life he was destined for, since they day he was born. Nick has since grown a great deal, however has never turned his back on where he came from, his roots that lie deep in the Swiss Alps. 

He is proud of his place of upbringing. It is something that he can now share to differentiate himself from most of the others in this beach side town. His cultural awareness levels have risen exponentially during his time in California, and even more so while on his educational pathway to his eventual career. 

Nick currently works at The Canary Hotel in down town Santa Barbara on top of being a full time student, on the home stretch towards getting his Bachelors Degree. Nicks passion for music and the music industry shines though when engaging in a personal conversation. On his off time Nick loves to work on his car. Along with his roommate, the two have a fully operational workshop garage and enjoy wrenching, fixing, and modifying, anything from motorcycles, to cars.

In the months that lie ahead Nick is in search of a new beginning, employments, friends, as well as new experiences. No doubt the path he chooses will serve him well as it has in the past. Keep an eye out for this one.