A Fly on the Wall
Viewing comments for Chapter 26 "On...Cheating"A journal musings and assessments about situations
30 total reviews
Comment from Debbie Pope
You know I love how you tell a story. The stories themselves are always so interesting. And usually funny as can be. But it's your commentary that I am drawn to. You have a worldly wisdom about you. And you are so feisty. My nature is to avoid confrontation. Not you. You tell it like it is to your reader and to the deserving offender.
Such a pleasure to read.
On a side note, I know your essay was on cheating, but I was appalled by the teachers. They were so bad. They should have been fired.
reply by the author on 09-Jan-2023
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You know I love how you tell a story. The stories themselves are always so interesting. And usually funny as can be. But it's your commentary that I am drawn to. You have a worldly wisdom about you. And you are so feisty. My nature is to avoid confrontation. Not you. You tell it like it is to your reader and to the deserving offender.
Such a pleasure to read.
On a side note, I know your essay was on cheating, but I was appalled by the teachers. They were so bad. They should have been fired.
Comment Written 09-Jan-2023
reply by the author on 09-Jan-2023
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It was just a different time. Today's teachers would never be allowed...or hopefully even WANT...to do those kinds of things.
Thank you for your lovely review, Debbie, and for the additional star, as well. xo
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As a recent substitute teacher, many teachers do still teach that way. It is so lazy on their part. Guess that is why I am sensitive to it.
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Yes! I can certainly understand THAT!
Comment from Mrs. KT
Hello, Rachelle,
An interesting essay - totally relatable on many levels.
Not certain if "Everyone's priorities are different," but I surely know that not everyone shares my moral compass...And the way our world is set up these days, anonymity and cheating are rampant.
Some edits to address: (Perhaps the result of transferring essay from iPhone to computer?):
***My next encounter with cheating was in ninth grade English class. The seating was arranged â?"unbelievable as it may seem in today's worldâ?" from lowest-to-highest class averages. Dunces in the front row, over-achievers in the back. Our teacher, Mrs.Fuller, was in her last year of teaching and wasn't going to be spending it grading papers.
***I sat in the last row. Doreen Myers sat in the second row. She used to hold her paper so that everyone who wanted to see her grade, could. She smoked and drank and was loose with boys, and it was reflected in
her quiz results: never above a 50! But when Mrs. Fuller called her name, Doreen â?"because we never had to turn in our quiz papersâ?" always shouted back a number over 90.
***I was twenty-five, eight months pregnant and working eighty hours a week as the general manager of my husband's international dental laboratory. My father â?"my mentor and idolâ?" was 2800 miles away in Reno, Nevada, dying of inoperable lung cancer.
Thank you for sharing.
diane
reply by the author on 09-Jan-2023
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Hello, Rachelle,
An interesting essay - totally relatable on many levels.
Not certain if "Everyone's priorities are different," but I surely know that not everyone shares my moral compass...And the way our world is set up these days, anonymity and cheating are rampant.
Some edits to address: (Perhaps the result of transferring essay from iPhone to computer?):
***My next encounter with cheating was in ninth grade English class. The seating was arranged â?"unbelievable as it may seem in today's worldâ?" from lowest-to-highest class averages. Dunces in the front row, over-achievers in the back. Our teacher, Mrs.Fuller, was in her last year of teaching and wasn't going to be spending it grading papers.
***I sat in the last row. Doreen Myers sat in the second row. She used to hold her paper so that everyone who wanted to see her grade, could. She smoked and drank and was loose with boys, and it was reflected in
her quiz results: never above a 50! But when Mrs. Fuller called her name, Doreen â?"because we never had to turn in our quiz papersâ?" always shouted back a number over 90.
***I was twenty-five, eight months pregnant and working eighty hours a week as the general manager of my husband's international dental laboratory. My father â?"my mentor and idolâ?" was 2800 miles away in Reno, Nevada, dying of inoperable lung cancer.
Thank you for sharing.
diane
Comment Written 09-Jan-2023
reply by the author on 09-Jan-2023
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Ah! Thanks. This happens too often! I swear when I posted it last night, I did not have these issues. Sometimes, when I go back to polish, as I did later, after my initial posting, these weren't present. I appreciate the eagle eye.
And I also think your assessment is a better choice: the moral compass from person-to-person varies. I'll have to give that a little more thought and edit accordingly. I appreciate the feedback very much. Thank you. xo
Comment from Sandra Nelms-Ludwig
This is a well-written piece of prose. The text is a good size but could be a tad larger for me. There is strange lettering in these sentences...The seating was arranged â?"unbelievable as it may seem in today's worldâ?"/Doreen â?"because we never had to turn in our quiz papersâ?"/My father â?"my mentor and idolâ?"
The message is clearly stated. The teaching practices in that time period were horrible and insensitive to developing students. However, that was then. I wish there was a visual. Thanks for sharing.
I agree with you about "cheating". I was a smart but emotionally disturbed student who wouldn't be living my childhood. However, I never cheated. I detest liars and cheaters. I find your piece well-done and relatable.
reply by the author on 09-Jan-2023
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This is a well-written piece of prose. The text is a good size but could be a tad larger for me. There is strange lettering in these sentences...The seating was arranged â?"unbelievable as it may seem in today's worldâ?"/Doreen â?"because we never had to turn in our quiz papersâ?"/My father â?"my mentor and idolâ?"
The message is clearly stated. The teaching practices in that time period were horrible and insensitive to developing students. However, that was then. I wish there was a visual. Thanks for sharing.
I agree with you about "cheating". I was a smart but emotionally disturbed student who wouldn't be living my childhood. However, I never cheated. I detest liars and cheaters. I find your piece well-done and relatable.
Comment Written 09-Jan-2023
reply by the author on 09-Jan-2023
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Thanks, Sandy. THREE TIMES NOW, I have tried to add my Fly on the Wall logo. Three times, the program indicates it's gone through. Three times it hasn't. Very exasperating, for sure! I'll keep trying. (You know me and my tenacity!!)
Thanks for the feedback, and I'll go re-do those quirky little symbols that keep popping up, too. Oy. This is an antiquated system we're working with for SURE!! xoxo
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You are most welcome. Antiquated system in more ways than one. Cheaters are still allowed to cheat!
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Yes, it's true. Sad but true.
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It pisses me off! 👿
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Ditto!
Comment from Tom Horonzy
I know not what to say. Sorry for the experience? idk. It's a minefield waiting to explode. So, perhaps the best thing to do is go silently into the ight. (Dylan Thomas??) ..................
reply by the author on 09-Jan-2023
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I know not what to say. Sorry for the experience? idk. It's a minefield waiting to explode. So, perhaps the best thing to do is go silently into the ight. (Dylan Thomas??) ..................
Comment Written 09-Jan-2023
reply by the author on 09-Jan-2023
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Thanks.
Comment from royowen
Yes, I don't think I'll comment on these incidents, I've always been good at defending myself, but that's because I'm vulnerable, I inherited my mother's fighting nature, she hurt me a fair bit when young, that's something I struggle with, I could never do it to my kids or grands. Well done, blessings Roy
reply by the author on 09-Jan-2023
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Yes, I don't think I'll comment on these incidents, I've always been good at defending myself, but that's because I'm vulnerable, I inherited my mother's fighting nature, she hurt me a fair bit when young, that's something I struggle with, I could never do it to my kids or grands. Well done, blessings Roy
Comment Written 09-Jan-2023
reply by the author on 09-Jan-2023
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Thanks.
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OK
Comment from Wayne Fowler
Very nicely written. The sixth star is for your self-control and restraint. You could have easily named Doreen, Cookie Knight, or Thomassa.
'hulking linebacker of a woman' - In football, the front linesmen are far more hulking. In the literary sense, 'linebacker' is far more descriptive. But even the linebacker position is filled with hulking behemoths by comparison to most women.
You left readers with the notion that your ex was cheating with the Hulk (since he took up for her).
Again, very nicely done.
Best wishes.
reply by the author on 09-Jan-2023
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Very nicely written. The sixth star is for your self-control and restraint. You could have easily named Doreen, Cookie Knight, or Thomassa.
'hulking linebacker of a woman' - In football, the front linesmen are far more hulking. In the literary sense, 'linebacker' is far more descriptive. But even the linebacker position is filled with hulking behemoths by comparison to most women.
You left readers with the notion that your ex was cheating with the Hulk (since he took up for her).
Again, very nicely done.
Best wishes.
Comment Written 09-Jan-2023
reply by the author on 09-Jan-2023
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Hahaha. Thanks, Wayne!
Comment from JanPerry
The first paragraph is too factual for my taste. It needs some work. Add descriptions. When you start with "menopause baby" it changes the subject at this point. Seems superfluous.
"I felt unwell (for) the remainder of the day(,) and never spoke to Patty Stell ever again. Two punctuation errors. (ever is superfluous here).
The line, "And that's when I knew" belongs with the prior paragraph (same subject). Too many paragraphs make this piece seem jumpy and unrelatable.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 09-Jan-2023
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The first paragraph is too factual for my taste. It needs some work. Add descriptions. When you start with "menopause baby" it changes the subject at this point. Seems superfluous.
"I felt unwell (for) the remainder of the day(,) and never spoke to Patty Stell ever again. Two punctuation errors. (ever is superfluous here).
The line, "And that's when I knew" belongs with the prior paragraph (same subject). Too many paragraphs make this piece seem jumpy and unrelatable.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 09-Jan-2023
reply by the author on 09-Jan-2023
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Thanks, Jan. I always appreciate feedback.
Comment from Ricky1024
These were all interesting and well written stories about growing up and cheating during our childhood to college year.
One my children went to Rutgers University early
2000.
And, that was around the time where they were cracking down on cheating.
And if you were caught doing it in the modern ways.
Such as googling and word to word copying.
You would be given a zero.
Thanks for sharing this and have a Blessed day.
Doctor Ricky 1024
reply by the author on 09-Jan-2023
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These were all interesting and well written stories about growing up and cheating during our childhood to college year.
One my children went to Rutgers University early
2000.
And, that was around the time where they were cracking down on cheating.
And if you were caught doing it in the modern ways.
Such as googling and word to word copying.
You would be given a zero.
Thanks for sharing this and have a Blessed day.
Doctor Ricky 1024
Comment Written 09-Jan-2023
reply by the author on 09-Jan-2023
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Thanks.
Comment from karenina
Explaining the experiences you've had is important. We've all had them. I do not believe any one of us has gotten through life without witnessing the erosion that comes from not being fair, truthful, or honest.
There is a sense of rationalization that occurs ~ I had an employee who stole medical supplies from our facility. When confronted she defiantly said she "earned" those things because she wasn't paid enough.
I've been in the position where I knew a friend was being betrayed by their spouse. I knew if I told her, she'd kill the messenger. (It's human nature when people want to hold on to the status quo, even if it's castles built in the air).
I told her anyway. I had to. It was my spouse his wife was cheating with.
Which is the trouble with cheating, I suppose. Many will say they meant well, or meant no harm, or it wasn't really what is seemed.
All we can do is right our own ship and send flares up before the everyone on board sinks intp the briny depths of deception.
Some will appreciate the action and some will forever curse the spoiled cruise.
All any of us can do is try to stay true to ourselves. Be better. Do better. We may not change anyone's behavior, and I'm certain I am not without sin... Still, to remain silent is to acquiesce to the moral "certainty" that there are "valid reasons" to give dishonesty a pass.
I like this quote, Rachelle. It won't change any minds I suppose, but it's food for thought:
"When people cheat in any arena, they diminish themselves--they threaten their own self-esteem and their relationships with others by undermining the trust they have in their ability to succeed and in their ability to be true." ~ Cheryl Hughes
Preemptively I assure you and all others these are not comments made in regard to any specific person. Not here, not in my life. I take your writing as you offer it. We have choices. Choices have consequences.
Here's to choosing the high road!
Karenina
reply by the author on 09-Jan-2023
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Explaining the experiences you've had is important. We've all had them. I do not believe any one of us has gotten through life without witnessing the erosion that comes from not being fair, truthful, or honest.
There is a sense of rationalization that occurs ~ I had an employee who stole medical supplies from our facility. When confronted she defiantly said she "earned" those things because she wasn't paid enough.
I've been in the position where I knew a friend was being betrayed by their spouse. I knew if I told her, she'd kill the messenger. (It's human nature when people want to hold on to the status quo, even if it's castles built in the air).
I told her anyway. I had to. It was my spouse his wife was cheating with.
Which is the trouble with cheating, I suppose. Many will say they meant well, or meant no harm, or it wasn't really what is seemed.
All we can do is right our own ship and send flares up before the everyone on board sinks intp the briny depths of deception.
Some will appreciate the action and some will forever curse the spoiled cruise.
All any of us can do is try to stay true to ourselves. Be better. Do better. We may not change anyone's behavior, and I'm certain I am not without sin... Still, to remain silent is to acquiesce to the moral "certainty" that there are "valid reasons" to give dishonesty a pass.
I like this quote, Rachelle. It won't change any minds I suppose, but it's food for thought:
"When people cheat in any arena, they diminish themselves--they threaten their own self-esteem and their relationships with others by undermining the trust they have in their ability to succeed and in their ability to be true." ~ Cheryl Hughes
Preemptively I assure you and all others these are not comments made in regard to any specific person. Not here, not in my life. I take your writing as you offer it. We have choices. Choices have consequences.
Here's to choosing the high road!
Karenina
Comment Written 09-Jan-2023
reply by the author on 09-Jan-2023
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Best. Review. Ever. Thank you for understanding for wholly. xo
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Thanks. Your post is a stong testament. I find it inspiring and motivational!
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That is such sweet music to my ears. Thank you, K. xo
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Always!
Comment from lyenochka
I'm so glad you wrote this, Rachelle. It gives me the background about your aversion to cheating. Of course, the contest cheating is not on the same level as your ex-husband's horrible act of betrayal to you and your daughter and his blatant offense to God. He certainly lost the most.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 09-Jan-2023
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I'm so glad you wrote this, Rachelle. It gives me the background about your aversion to cheating. Of course, the contest cheating is not on the same level as your ex-husband's horrible act of betrayal to you and your daughter and his blatant offense to God. He certainly lost the most.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 09-Jan-2023
reply by the author on 09-Jan-2023
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True; but cheating on any level is offensive to G*d because it's deceitful and steeped in selfishness.