blogging

Blogging is very different from other forms of writing. You are able to say exactly what you are thinking, write the way you want with out worrying about your format or what type of writing you are doing, and you can make a stand on any topic you please and send it out into the world wide web for others to read and comment on.
When you blog as apposed to writing a paper in class you can say exactly what you mean. You don't have to sugar cote your thoughts for your teacher or classmates which you might do if you were writing a paper on Huckleberry Fin. It also is easier to speak your mind since it's rather impersonal, I know I'm more comfortable with it because I don't have to get feedback face to face.
When you write a paper in class you usually have a specific format you need to follow and for some people that's really difficult. I've been out of school for seven years and this is my first semester back so getting back into the swing of things is rather difficult. I can't believe how much I have forgotten and the acceptable way to write a paper is definitely on my list! I do feel comfortable blogging though, because it's all about what I want to say-not about how I say it.
I also think that blogging is unique because you not only get to speak your mind, but your voice is on the Internet for anyone to see. You can get feedback that's both positive and negative to expand your view on any topic you desire to write about. Other people can open your eyes to new things you never knew about, and it could even change your opinion or outlook on any given topic so that's cool. You can't get that from writing a paper you just turn in and no one responds to.

let's sum things up!

For my blog I've talked about the problem with smoking too close to the building entrances at school. How walking through peoples second hand smoke to get to class isn't fair and it needs to stop. I've also talked about how I smoke occasionally so I understand that when you need to smoke, you need to smoke! I don't think people need to stop smoking or anything, just move it a few feet from the doorway and respect those who don't smoke.
There are ash trays placed twenty-five feet from all entrances as well as all over campus. It would be nice if there was a designated place for people to smoke and if it was covered I think they would appreciate it as well. I've also blogged on behalf of the smoker and talked about their concerns as well. How it is an addiction and it's hard enough for some people to go two hours with out one so when class is over and they get outside all they think about is lighting up.
I think if school officials would just keep an eye on things and if they see someone smoking too close to remind them to back it up a few feet it could really make a difference. The only problem with that is it would be a long term job.

Challenges for the desired outcome

I don't really care if people smoke, I do smoke on occasion so I know how it is. I do however want to keep it a distance from the entrances to the buildings because I also know how the people who don't smoke feel about walking through other's second hand smoke.
Some of the obstacles that might arise would be that some individuals wouldn't take their smoking a few feet from the door. Now everyone knows that there's a law stating that you need to be twenty-five feet from a building but let's be honest, no matter where you go people don't abide by that law. When you go to the supermarket or the gas station you always see people smoking where ever they please, as if they don't think they should follow the rules. They also throw their butts anywhere they see fit, even if there is a trashcan or ashtray right next to them.
Another challenge would be that if the law was enforced how long would it last? A lot of people who do stuff they shouldn't or who just slack off when they should be working change their behavior if they're told to. They also keep doing what their told to until they think that everyone has forgotten and then they can go back to doing whatever they want. That might be why people are smoking where ever right now, no one has keep on enforcing it.
I think the only way to overcome these obstacles would be to let everyone know that they must abide by the law or there will be consequences like a small fine. Or someone working at the campus could just enforce this behavior by reminding people that they need to move when they notice people smoking too close to the buildings. I think that if people are nagged about it enough they will stop and move the twenty-five feet from the building. The only problem with this is that if people stop enforcing it people will start smoking right in front of the buildings again so it would have to be a long term project.

How about a compromise

I've blogged on the problems with smoking on campus and some issues that follow concerning the student body who don't smoke. I've also blogged on behalf of the student body who do smoke and shared some problems they face as well. I think it's time to see what we can do so both sides can get along.
Walking around campus this past week I've noticed new signs in front of the buildings stating "no smoking past this point." I've also noticed those trashcans with the ashtrays on top in front of those signs and even further away from the building.
I'm pleased to say that people have been abiding by the law and staying away from the building entrances. Every day this week as I've gone to class people have been smoking in front of those trash cans and I think it's working just fine. Smoking away from the entrances was all anyone wanted so I think that the compromise has been made.
The question now would be to the student body, the one's who smoke and those who don't, and see if they have noticed the difference. If the people who don't smoke have noticed the same change as I have and if they like the change or would prefer something different? Also, for the students that smoke, do they feel like they're being pushed out, being treated unfair, or are they happy moving a few feet away from the door?