Metacognition: Organization

For my Aristotelian project, I went a little over the 45 minute guideline. I organized my room, desk, closet, and binder. Since I enjoy being organized, this assignment gave me motivation to use the break to create a better environment.

When I went in to my room to embark on the 'journey' that lay ahead, I dreaded it. I did not want to start. Before today, I had been putting it off for a few weeks, telling myself I was too busy. That excuse was not valid this morning. Once I started, I realized it wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be. I was listening to music and took a few breaks, but even when working the cleaning was not that unenjoyable. I was finding things I had been missing. My mind paralleled my room as it became more and more organized. Once finished, I felt much better. I was relieved, proud, and accomplished. Although not as big of a deal as I am pretending it is for this blog, the clean room definitely did influence my newfound positive attitude and relaxation.

Going back to homework in a clean room is infinitely better than doing the same in a disorganized one. Every time I looked at the clothes on the floor or unmade bed or junk drawers in my desk it reminded me of the job that loomed, as well as stressed me out. Looking around my room now, I feel calm and in control of the situation. I am more capable of sitting down and focusing in an organized environment. I guess there are some people who work better in disarray, but I am definitely not one of them. This might sound extreme and made up, but I actually had a headache that went away as I was cleaning up. From this i can conclude, at least for me, an organized environment leads to an organized mind.

Asides from the obvious unearthings of objects not seen in months, I learned a few other things thorugh this project. I've always known I work better in a clean environment, but I learned that it isn't as difficult as it seems to get there. Also, cleaning a small mess once a week is a lot easier and less stressful than cleaning a huge one once a month. Finally, I discovered the correlation between one's environment and their mind.

iMedia: Theme Song

(Sorry it isn't the best video...the only one I could find)

"Theme Song," by the small, Chicago based band Down the Line, speaks volumes to me. Last year this band visited GBS and played a concert for those involved in the music department. I appreciated their music and performance so much that I attended another of their concerts in Evanston last summer. I think this personal connection of seeing them live creates a more individual link with their songs. This one in particular speaks to me.

"Theme Song" starts by pointing out how 'you' have been pushed around, taken down, and broken by other people. Basically, you aren't standing up for yourself. I've been in situations before where I am hesitant to support myself either out of fear, seniority, or I just don't care enough to; my reasoning being either: they probably know more than me, or I recognize the fact that my offenders are being jerks so I internally ignore everything they say. These probably aren't the most productive methods in facing an intimidating person.

The song emphasizes that you are important and deserve respect with no exceptions. The chorus exemplifies this:

"Everybody ought to have a theme song,

You hear it in their heart beat drumming along."

Your theme song is who you are, and what you stand for. All people have earned the right to have their own, and no one can take that from them. It's in their heart. I think Down the Line is using music metaphorically to symbolize a person's identity. You are who you are and even if other people try and hurt you, they can't change you.

What's interesting about the metaphor, however, is that a song is written. Who writes the song? A medeivalist might say God does, but this song, for example, was written by four human beings. By following a Renaissance point of view, I can interpret the lyrics as meaning you write your own song, through your actions, beliefs, and values. Only you have the power to 'change the key' or 'add a measure.' I believe the latter standpoint is more comforting and beneficial, as you are in control.

Later in the song the following point is mentioned: if you are going through a tough time, whether it be physical, emotional, or social, the one thing you can always revert back to is yourself. Staying true to yourself, and what you believe in, will only yield positive benefits. If I am ever faced with a situation where I would be going against my values, I will remember this song and what it means. And I will decline, saying, "This isn't me."

The final thing I would like to bring up regarding this piece is the mood. The song is upbeat, fast-paced, and overall cheery. I interpret this as showing how happy you can be just by being yourself. Imitating others to fit in drains your energy, makes you self-conscious, and is a waste of time. If you ever saw this band perform live, you would realize they have plenty of energy. They may be quirky and do funny things (jumping around, screaming, etc.) on stage, but they are enjoying themselves, by being themselves.

Connection: King Lear and Michael Scott

What do you get when you put two completely clueless people in charge of something? In 1605 you got King Lear, but nowadays you get Michael Scott. In class we decided the driving force of comedy is the audience knowing something the characters themselves do not. A show like The Office is so funny because Michael is so naive and easily taken advantage of. Lear displays many similar characteristics to the manager of Dunder Mifflin Paper Company.

King Lear is at a difficult time in his life when he is beginning to lose many things. His daughters, his mind, and his power. He just doesn't realize it yet. That is why it comes as such a shock to him when anybody tells him he is wrong or asks him to change his behavior. He is not used to anyone questioning his authority. If he was able to realize his position and not blind to his social deterioration, he would be more willing to accept the attempts of generosity from Goneril and Regan. However, he remains as stubborn as his contemporary counterpart, Michael Scott.

Michael is in an analogous situation to Lear. He was once the sole administrator for his branch of the company. In recent years, however, several new characters have begun to undermine his "rule." First there were the few months in which Jim became a "co-manager," but since neither one of them enjoyed that position, things returned to normal. Nevertheless, when the company is bought by Sabre, things are shaken up once again. Michael now reports to a CEO, who also has her own representative working in the office with them. Since both newcomers are higher on the chain of command than Michael, he comes up with countless ways to try to ensure his own power. In a recent episode, when an employee took an idea straight to the CEO rather than through Michael, he became infuriated and tried to force all ideas through himself.

Were you to look at the two side by side, you would see two extremely different men. But on the inside, it would be hard to find more than a handful of differences. It is important to relate the two characters because it shows it shows what a situation can do to people. It doesn't say how Lear was before his old age (I'm assuming he was fine), but, at least in Michael's case, he was a strong leader before all these changes occurred. If you read The Tragedy of King Lear with that in mind, you will find yourself empathizing more with Lear, because you see how his situation is making life miserable for him. It isn't his fault his mind, plagued with too many years, is not letting him see the reality of what is going on; he is just trying to do what is right.