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April 28, 2007
free my mind
After two weeks packed full with work, assignments, papers, and comprehensive exams, my mind is finally at rest. I still have a project and a final to do, but right now my mind is freer than it's been in a while. It's amazing how that feels. Sort of like a freshly-puffed pillow or a shiny new pair of shoes. Like the ones I bought while shopping with Laura and cousin Jane last week.
The weather hasn't been helping my attitude much. Except for a brief stint of sunshine and warmth, it's been mostly cold and rainy. Laura was right when she said that April is the worst month here, worse than January even. We even had to turn the heat back on after having it off for a little while.
I had to write a speech for President Bush this past week. Let me tell you, it was one of the hardest things I've ever done. The assignment led to much discussion in our class in what makes Bush a bad speaker. The professor had to repeatedly remind us: "Do not use metaphor! Bush never uses metaphor in his speeches." We also had to steer away from being too eloquent.
I'll leave you with this dead-on column by Elliot Kalan. Baseball has a way of making us feel better about the world.
| By heiders | 06:46 PM
Comments
Actually, his less public speeches (such as his speeches at West Point) are really very good. I get the idea that he often tries to dumb down his speeches for wider audiences.
Posted by: jb at April 29, 2007 12:55 AM
I found that his speeches on paper are very good. I read one of his speeches at West Point. Of course his speechwriters know what they are doing. I meant to emphasize his delivery, which leaves something to be desired. It's not always bad, but when writing a speech for him you do have to keep in mind that he might stumble over bigger words or complicated phrases. Which is a general rule of thumb anyway, for any person.
Posted by: heiders at April 29, 2007 08:55 AM
