Week 8 Progress

1. Looking Back: Looking back, I know that I haven't been putting as much effort into this class as I could be. Right now, I sit in the "C" range, but I know I can at least end up with a "B" in this class by the end of the year. I will just have to do at least 2-3 extra credit assignments each week along with all the normal assignments. Thus far, I have not utilized any of the EC options, but I will have to in the remaining weeks.

2. Looking Forward: Looking forward toward the rest of the semester, I know that I can't fall into the trap of not doing some assignments, because I am running out of EC options to make up for those points. I also know I must do more EC work each week. I think the schedule itself has been fine, it is just me that is slacking.

This image is how I treated the first half of the semester.

Week 8 Comments and Feedback

1. Feedback in: Overall, I feel like the comments that posters made on my stories and blog posts were very helpful and insightful. The comments that are about about my writing style or about storytelling aspects like characters and setting are the most helpful because I can directly use that feedback in my next story.

2. Feedback out: As for my comments, I always try to give helpful advice when I see something that can be made better. But I also make sure not to come off as too condescending or anything, because that would be counter productive. I like commenting on other's posts since they may be able to use some of the suggestions I provide.

3. Blog Comments: I actually do feel like I know more people in the class now after commenting on so many people's introductions. I do think I should have spent more time on my introduction, I wrote it in a hurry.

4. I can't really think of much more I need to do moving forward as far as commenting goes.

5.

I chose this image here because I really like all the components it mentions. It really covers all the bases of giving good feedback,

Week 7 Reading A: PDE Mahabharata (Part B)

These are my notes for Part B of PDE Mahabharata found here: http://ouocblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/pde-mahabharata-house-of-fire.html

This sinister plot to burn the Pandavas is very interesting, I wonder what will happen to them. Getting a skilled miner to try and dig their way out of the palace is definitely thinking outside the box. Wo, they turned the plot around on the evil prince and burned down the guardhouse. Isn't Bhima the very strong one too?

Misinformation is always an fun twist to include in a story, so it will be interesting to see what Queen Kunti and the Pandavas do with their element of surprise.

"going into hiding" or "going into exile" seems to be a big theme in these Indian epics. It's kinda silly that Bhima is able to actually lift and carry his whole family long distances.

"I will drink hot, frothy blood" is really good but also sickening imagery and wordplay.

Just like in Ramayana, a Rakshasa woman is falling in love with a royal man. It was really kind of Bhima to carry  Hidimba away from the sleepers.

What is interesting to me is that in this picture, Bhima looks like a strong guy, but nowhere near as big as the way he is described. (Link)

Bhima seems like his is now the strongest of his brothers; he is killing everything.

The births of Dhrishtadyumna and Draupadi were very creative, and I wonder if  Drupada will have his revenge.

The story of Nalayani gives a little insight into the perceived culture back then, where marrying 5 men was okay but having premarital sex is not. Poor Karn, the caste system can be seem in full efect when he gets rejected!

It's a little strange that Draupadi's five husbands are all the Pandavas brothers. It seems like a pretty harsh punishment to be exiled for 20 years just because you accidentally walk in on your brother and your wife. At least it turned out well for him, with meeting a wife and all.

Arjuna is just spreading his seed everywhere. It's unny that people look on him with favor for abducting his bride!

This thing with Agni is definitely going to have consequences.

The image of King Duryodhana bumping into all these crystal items really is funny.

I want to see Bhima drink Duryodhana's blood!