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Reading Magnifico's journal

I'm sitting here at my computer, staring in dismay at the screen. The blank stare is because I'm tired, but the dismay is from my writer's block. Because I have an essay due tomorrow, and I can't think of anything safe to write. It's a senior autobiography; a nice two to four page essay written to make the college guidance woman like me. Because she controls my future, I'm supposed to write an essay to make her like me more. But the things that have truly influenced me are by no means things I should write about.

I can't say that the happiest three hours of my life were with Evie and Drake, watching 2001: A Space Odyssey and stewing in the cannabis smoke.

I can't say that I feel like a different person for having finally bought an Incubus album (because I was previously worried that said purchase would spoil my love for their music).

I can't say that my life has been a series of mistakes and all-too-late realizations of what I should've done.

So what do I write? Bullshit. "I've always wanted to study languages."

"Philosophy interests me, as it is always very philosophical."

I don't want to go to a college where the sentiment "AP courses don't fucking matter, because it just creates that artificial idea that a standardized test makes you better than somebody" is gonna discourage the admissions people from accepting me. And I don't want to go to a college where individuality is a nice way of saying "unique, but tailored to what we're recruiting this year."

I'm so fucking confused. I'm so goddamned stunned by mental block.

I'll believe in anything if you'll just believe in anything

This post was edited by Magnifico on Sep 18, 2003.

I might be a bit too naive here, but I found that a little honesty does not necessarily need to be harmful, but might actually be quite charming. Of course, you have given very valid examples of where this would not work, but something like

I can't say that my life has been a series of mistakes and all-too-late realizations of what I should've done.

And I don't want to go to a college where individuality is a nice way of saying "unique, but tailored to what we're recruiting this year."

might actually work.

'Repent, Harlequin!' said the Ticktockman. 'Get stuffed!' the Harlequin replied, sneering.

Step outside of yourself and look back at the unique, positive, and charmingly quirky sides of you. Then write as if selling your best friend's attributes to his dream boss.

quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

Well, I get to do a re-write (that teacher does have a nice side, it seems), so yay.

Wizz: I'm thinking of throwing in just a pinch of that truth, see if maybe it'll do something to spice up the paper.

gentledeepwaters: I'm more quirky than charming, but I'll be sure to try the "sell your best friend's assets" thing, as well.

Thanks, both of you!

I'll believe in anything if you'll just believe in anything

I'm glad you get a re-write, hopefully my teacher will be nice about the essays too. Which I have a feeling we are going to start on in the next week. If you've got any tips for me I'd be eternally greatful. :)

-Jami

--Jami Yeah, that's gonna sting in the morning.

For the love of God, do not put of working on it til the last minute.

I'll believe in anything if you'll just believe in anything

Thanks! Is the second go-round of the essay going any better?

--Jami Yeah, that's gonna sting in the morning.

Don't be afriad to write something unique. Colleges get tons of bland, monotonous, soulless, sycophantic, mediocre, halfhearted drivel, I would imagine, in their inboxes. My recommendation would be to be honest, but judicious about what you choose to disclose. You certainly wouldn't want to say anything that might scare the admissions board, things that look like disciplinary or academic liabilities. OTOH, a departure from the homogeneous stream of crap they likely receive would grab their attention. You might even try a creative presentation of some kind to make a visual impact.

Good luck!

Ewige Blumenkraft!