Mindset

Remember as you experience the joys and horrors that are Day 5 that the point of this project wasn't simply to drive and succeed and be happy. The point was to experience something like what the Joad's felt, going the other way in the 1930's. So failing might even be a desired end in terms of feeling the hardship and disappointment that folks like the Wilsons knew. So don't dwell on the fact that you failed (if you did) or be overly impressed if it was relatively easy. The point is to feel what's there, whether sadness, longing, disappointment, even fear (how will we ever get there?) or joy and fulfillment and reconnecting with your family who have been waiting for you. This was a fiction, and the "you" writing is a character. Inhabit that character.

A Required Bit in Your Last Posting

If you've read the previous posting about Day 5, you know that each of you has the assignment of doing a full reflection on not only the final day, but also the whole experience. As a way of doing that, and as a way of doing it in a more literary style, I want you to make the heart of your final posting (250 words) a description of something "as seen by" your imaginary self at that moment. You may choose one of the following suggestions or choose something on your own that you know would be something in the area you end up in, and that you imagine suiting this purpose beautifully. My suggestions: The moon, a river, the highway itself, an 18-wheeler or your own car. Whatever your state of mind, don't name it. No "I'm disappointed." or "I'm so relieved." Just let disappointment or relief color what your fictional self sees in the object. More in class next time, or ask me for more in tutorial today.

Day 5 Approacheth

D Block, you are staring straight at the last day of your journey, when you will either reach your destination, or end up somewhere out on the road, out of money, out of gas, out of luck. C Block, you've still got Day 4 as well, but the end is in sight for you as well. The required posting for the final day, whenever you reach it, is a little different than what you're used to. Since you have the whole experience to look at, in total, I want each partner in the car to write a full 500 words and to focus on the whole experience. It of course should include some context: what happened the last day, either success or some kind of failure. But it should also look at the whole journey and the lessons you learned about being on the road on your own. How might you approach the daily ritual differently now that you've done it once? What surprised you? What kinship with the Joads did you feel?

Character: A New Wrinkle

Many of you are doing a great job of cataloging the nuts and bolts of your journey: the meals, the gas, the lodging, the miles, etc. Yesterday I urged you to use Google Earth to SEE the landscape you are passing through, and comment on it as well. It's not all fast food and sleeping. Today I want to add another element: You meet someone. The Joads meet many people on their journey: both folks going west like themselves and others going east. And they meet some others who are distinctly unsympathetic. I want you to imagine that you meet someone and have some kind of interaction with him or her, resulting in dialogue. Remember to see them as well as hear them, though. Remember the characterization exercise and bring some of those ideas to bear. Have fun!

Partnering: If the Shoe Fits. . .

Hi all, I'm aware of at least a couple of pairs where one partner feels he or she is doing all or most of the reflective writing. Image posting is another matter, and I'm really not talking about food, gas and lodging records either. Bottom Line: The 500 word reflection needs to be equally shared. Whether you do that by alternating days, and sharing the final day, "when all the cards are dealt and there's nothing left to see" or by sharing the 500 equally each day of the journey, each member of the team must pull his or her own weight. Look in the mirror, guys. I'll check in with you (and your partner) soon. "If the shoe fits. . . ."

Making Your Travel Blog Available etc.

Hey all, I've been looking at and commenting on the blogs that I have access to and I've noticed some things. First, not all of you have sent me the link to your blog, so I can't see it to comment. Do that right away. Second, the blogs from C Block that I have looked at seem to be missing most of the Day 1 material required on the rubric and which I would have thought you accomplished during class yesterday, at least in part. Remember that EACH DAY you need 4-6 images, 500 words of reflection (either shared or done on alternate days) plus accounting for meals, lodging, gasoline, and ongoing budget. The "random hardships" are challenges for your journey, AND they are sources of experience you should be posting about on your blog. So don't get behind or you'll find yourself with too much to do at any one sitting. If you need to, check in with me about what I'm seeing on your Blog. Day 2 is upon us!

Day 0 Tasks

Before the Trip Begins: Day 0 (Will count as “Blog Set Up” when I grade) After you’ve gotten the partner blog created and published so I and everyone can see it, there are a few more things I’d like you to do before we hit the virtual road. Some of you have done some of these already, at least in some form. Some of you haven’t yet. Before you start your road trip you must complete one blog entry with: • an image of your vehicle, the correct year and model, or as close to it as you can get; • an “image” of the home you're leaving behind—inside or out. The kitchen? Your room? D-Block: Make this a written description if you don’t have a photo in class today. Or you can make a note to edit this posting later and complete it then. • an image of your destination; • what you're bringing in your carry-on sized suitcase; (maybe actually pack a real one and take a picture?); Make this more than “clothes” and even “5 pairs of pants. Unless you have only five pair, you had to make some choices here. Jeans? Dress pants (for the new school that might require them? A favorite pair? And what shirts? A hoodie you love? What are your “signature” clothes, and can you bring all of them? • some hope and fears about your trip, including some reference to your trip buddy. (You should have already done this as homework!)