Pics from the weekend

This was a creative weekend for me! I began a project, but not sure what exactly to call it yet...how 'bout "mixed media piece?" I also took some photos of things I found visually interesting around Jesse's studio.

Here's a lovely Saturday afternoon. I was struck by the colors and angles. Plus, the cracks that recently appeared around the covered-up window (visible just to the right of the little light fixture) are so haunting...and the way they connect to the still-existing window makes me think of a memory (of a person, or event, or otherwise) that can follow you around for a while, whether that is good or bad.

Here we have some Homies, with my glasses. It was funny to me (ok, not ha-ha funny) that my glasses match the left-hand girl's shirt perfectly. I just happened to set my glasses so that one wheel of the car is framed within each lens. I also like the warm, soft light in the bathroom.

And finally, in an homage to Richard Wentworth's Making Do and Getting By series, a repurposed brick chunk.

Art Project: Nests

So for the past couple years, I have been finding/receiving/swiping/otherwise accumulating little bits of prettiness. They are strips of ribbon and trim, hunks of interesting paper, and even colorful twist-ties.

Recently the idea occurred to me that, as I scavenged them much like a bird would, and live in a treehouse, I could also construct them into nests. I wanted to make them into something that would show others the beauty I saw in these materials.

The nest idea also brings to mind safety, comfort, and refuge. The act of creating them is an outlet for me, itself a refuge from anxiety. And I am making them at a time when my own nest is "threatened"- by my unemployment.

I am planning to take this idea a step further, and photograph the nests in contexts that exemplify the various avenues of my [unnecessary] worry. But, for now, I am happy that I finished constructing two of them last night. Behold, for your viewing pleasure: Nest #1: Fiesta, and Nest #2: 5 a Day.

PS- These are much more colorful in real life. Uploading the photo made it look washed out for some reason.

Movie Review: Coco Avant Chanel

It is a gorgeous rainy morning out, the kind that makes me want to curl up with the biography of Coco Chanel that I got from the library yesterday. My choice of reading material was inspired by my recent viewing of the film Coco Avant Chanel (Coco Before Chanel). I wanted to get more of the details of her life, and see how accurate the movie was.

The film is, as you can probably deduce, a biography of Coco Chanel before she became famous. As a woman raised in an orphanage, who later founded a fashion empire, she truly was self-made. It was fascinating to see her beginnings in fashion as a milliner. She had an eye for style that was truly ahead of her time. The film is full of beautiful clothing and hats, especially the final runway montage.

The always-charming Audrey Tautou did an amazing job as Mlle. Chanel. Tautou's sweet smile makes rare appearances as the steely, determined Coco, but I was too intrigued to mind much.

The film is in French with English subtitles. I love that. It irritates me when movies set in other countries just have actors speaking English with accents. So lame!

See this movie! It is beautiful, intriguing, and inspiring- just like Coco.

(Plus, who wouldn't love to look this killer in their early 50's? And this is pre-Botox and -Photoshop!)

Movie Review: Apocalypto

Like many viewers, I was put off by Mel Gibson's anti-Semitic rant during his recently-expunged arrest, and did not bother seeing Apocalypto in 2006. I finally watched it last week. I think that was a brutal case of bad timing, contributing to the movie being very underrated.

Apocalypto follows a brave Mayan warrior named Jaguar Paw, as he fights to survive. He has been captured to be sacrificed to the gods. However, he is determined to return to his village, to save his wife, Seven, and his son, Turtles Run.

This film is epic in proportion and earnest in its authenticity. The body count alone numbers 114 (courtesy IMDB). The actors, who are pierced, scarred, and tattooed, speak Maya.

At 139 minutes, it is an investment. However, the balance of action with more intimate plot details keeps it clipping along nicely. It is definitely violent. I am pretty squeamish, and had to allow myself a few extended blinks! The ending is a bit of an abrupt twist, but a good one, that leaves you thinking about what it means for a civilization to end.

I think the best part of this seemingly remote, historic tale is its relevance. I had chills when I heard an old man tell this story to the villagers gathered around a fire:

And a Man sat alone, drenched deep in sadness. And all the animals drew near to him and said, "We do not like to see you so sad. Ask us for whatever you wish and you shall have it." The Man said, "I want to have good sight." The vulture replied, "You shall have mine." The Man said, "I want to be strong." The jaguar said, "You shall be strong like me." Then the Man said, "I long to know the secrets of the earth." The serpent replied, "I will show them to you." And so it went with all the animals. And when the Man had all the gifts that they could give, he left. Then the owl said to the other animals, "Now the Man knows much, he'll be able to do many things. Suddenly I am afraid." The deer said, "The Man has all that he needs. Now his sadness will stop." But the owl replied, "No. I saw a hole in the Man, deep like a hunger he will never fill. It is what makes him sad and what makes him want. He will go on taking and taking, until one day the World will say, 'I am no more and I have nothing left to give.

"Believe on Jesus"

This morning, I left my treehouse to run an errand. While sitting at the intersection of 7th, University, Camp Bowie, and Bailey, I spotted a man standing on one of the medians. He was sporting a fluorescent yellow/green sandwich-board sign that read:

BELIEVE ON JESUS

REPENT OR BURN

Now, while I have to admire his cojones, there are several things wrong with his approach, the sum of which makes me sincerely doubt his motives.

First, his message is pretty abrasive. This has got to have an impact on his effectiveness. Sales 101 states that you can't make someone angry and sell them something at the same time; i.e., you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.

Second, if he is seeking to reach non-believers, how many do you think he will encounter early on a Saturday morning? Crap, even the evangelists who yell into megaphones downtown on weekend nights have got to be more effective simply because of the time and place they choose to proclaim their faith to the masses going out for dinners and drinks.

Finally, did he really think it was okay to wear a sign emblazoned with such a flagrant typo? Does he not know any better? It's certainly not helping his credibility any. Although, as one publishing professional recently told me via voicemail, "Most people don't care about editing anymore." Sigh.

...All these considered, I can't help but think that this man wasn't out there for the good of humanity. My speculation was that he felt some sort of obligation, but not one of the sort that we Christians all should. We should be moved by God's grace to love and befriend everyone, to give thanks in all things, and to offer aid and comfort to those who need it. I believe that this man, with his ineffective tactics, wanted to make a martyr of himself, to feel as though he accomplished (or sacrificed) something important. I think that, had Jesus been passing by, He would've told the man, "Buddy, what are you doing? Let's go hang out with the bums at the bus stop."

I tried to photograph him, but was pretty far away. Here he is anyway:

Pumpkin-Flavored Frozen Treat Review

Well friends, it is that perfect time of year here in Texas: you know that fall is around the corner, but it is still warm enough to enjoy a cool confection. So what is the best thing to do in such a situation? Get yourself a pumpkin-flavored frozen treat, that's what! I have sampled some from my neighborhood, and reviewed them below, for your convenience.

1st Place:

What: Single-dip of pumpkin ice cream

Where: Braum's

How much: $1.35

Why: The price alone wins major points with this unemployed treehouse-dweller, not to mention that the single dip is the perfect size! The ice cream is a lovely, pale orange hue. However, it has a tiny touch of gritty-ness that is not quite ignorable. Whether that is to bring to mind nutmeg, cinnamon, or even pumpkin texture, I don't know. That's the only drawback to this affordable, petite treat.

2nd Place:

What: Regular pumpkin pie shake

Where: Jack In the Box

How much: ~$2.70

Why: This was the first pumpkin-flavored ice cream product I had ever had. A few years ago, my mom and I, feeling adventurous, ordered one to share. We had no idea we were in for such a cool, creamy, pumpkin-y delight! It really is delicious. The only flaw here is the big size. With only regular and large to choose from, you'd better have a companion nearby who wants to split it with you.

3rd Place:

What: Kid's size pumpkin frozen custard

Where: Curly's Frozen Custard

How much: ~$2.90

Why: I am a big fan of Curly's. Really, I am. It is just down the street from me, and they feature a different flavor every month! However, it is pretty pricey, and the super-rich frozen custard melts quickly. Again, the kid's size is perfect for me. They even top it with a sprinkle of cinnamon-sugar!

Honorable Mention:

What: Small pumpkin pie Blizzard

Where: Dairy Queen

How Much: $2.70

Why: I just got one this evening, feeling I needed to give it a whirl. Granted, I never understood what the big deal about Blizzards was, anyway. They are just cups of soft-serve, with stuff mixed in. But, I decided to go for it. The ice cream was the best part. The alleged pumpkin pie flavor went undetected by my taste buds. It tasted overall like vanilla-plus-something-else-but-I-can't-tell-what. The pieces of pie crust were eerily crispy for having been submerged in ice cream.

Another Morning Jam

This morning, I spilled my oatmeal, and nearly dropped the sugar bowl. I blurted out, "C'mon, butterfingers!" And that brought to mind this song, by Bomb the Bass, ft. Fujiya & Miyagi (whom I love). Plus the video is pretty cute. Enjoy!

Woke up with this song in my head

I think it is because yesterday I learned from the seemingly ordinary leader of my Bible study group that she also loves The Decemberists! We discussed the nautical, whimsical, sometimes-depressing nature of their lyrics, the epic scale of The Crane Wife, and our shared unfamiliarity with their latest album. I adore those moments: discovering you share a particular passion with someone else.

Hey, Blogosphere!

Do you know of anyone in the DFW area needing an editor/copywriter?

The combination of unemployment and finding typos in everything I read is getting old.

Blessings felt and passed on

In preparation for spin class, I took a seat at the top of my stairs to put on my socks and shoes. When I looked down at my little naked toes on the wood steps, I was just filled with the not-quite-a-feeling-but-not-quite-a-thought that God loves me... and that He loves us all. He gives us evidence of that in little moments like those, or in big ways (e.g. His Son). It was refreshing to remember how precious we all are. I just wanted to share it and hope you'll feel loved too.

I got my Blitzen back, Blitzen back, Blitzen back!

HOORAY! I just returned from picking up Fraulein Blitzen Weiss at Caliber Collision.

My thanks to Enterprise, for providing me with a rental these 3 weeks. My applause, however, goes to the guys at Caliber, including T.C., my service advisor. They did an amazing, thorough job! She looks so gorgeous!

I am overjoyed at having my car back. Every control and instrument in the proper place, the fun of getting to shift and rev and coast, her plaid seat cradling my frame as if it were made just for me....sigh. I sure was happy to see her. Was the feeling mutual? Just check out that smile.

Conversations...

... From this weekend felt like they were out of a sitcom of the Seinfeld-ish variety. I suppose that is the height of couple-Narcissism, isn't it? Thinking the inane banter you have with your significant other is potential TV show material? Oh well. I will refrain from trying to reconstruct them here, but I will tell you that they touched on a number of topics, such as:

• Do potatoes have a season (a la squash or tomatoes), or are they grown year-round?
• Would a magnet, hurled upward at just the right angle, stick to Jesse's tin-stamped ceiling?
• The armadillo is not the Texas state reptile, nor is it a reptile at all... but it is scaly!

It's Just Like...

This weekend, in between bouts of rain, Jesse and I rode bikes. I have not rode a "real" bike in 4 or 5 years. However, I have made it a point to attend Spin class at my gym on a weekly basis for the past 2 years. Riding outside and riding a stationary bike are very different things, my friends. At first, I was amazed at what an effort it was to maintain balance. However, it was, as they say, like riding a bike! Some part of my memory revived and we were off! As we cruised around his neighborhood, I felt a giddy sense of enjoyment that biking used to bring when I was little. I wondered:

• How would it be possible for someone to be on a bike and be in a bad mood? I couldn't NOT smile!
• Why don't more people use this as transportation? (Around here, anyway. I know that other parts of the world are more bike-friendly.)
• When can I go again?

Wheeee! What is a fun activity that you have discovered/rediscovered recently?

PS: The photo is not me. It appeared in a Google Image search for "biking in heels."

Genius!

Cute and clever hints abound in this MSN article, 50 All-Time New Uses for Old Things. My favorite would have to be the first tip, if only for the typically girly reason, "It's just so pretty!" I also like the showercap-as-shoe-holder...'cause who actually uses a showercap? Which tip do you plan to use?

Car Review: Dodge Charger

Since aforementioned accident, I have been tooling around town in 2 different cars. The first belonged to the couple I house-sat for. When they returned, I got a rental, courtesy of the other girl (in the accident)'s insurance company. Since my beloved Fraulein Blitzen Weiss will be ready to come home today or tomorrow, I thought it would be a good time to reflect on the experience of driving said rental, a Dodge Charger. (Pic above is from the interwebs, not me.) Here are some of its features, scored by yours truly:

-20: Squatty design: This is a wide, long car, but it's short. Overall it looks like it was stepped on by a giant. The windows seem short. The roof seems like it is creeping down over the windshield. I had to lean forward to see traffic lights often.

-20: Things in weird places: The controls for windshield wipers, turn signal, and brights are all on one stick, which is placed far too low. I made many a turn still swiping the air in attempts to find my blinker. In addition, the knobs for stereo volume and A/C are the same size, and one is right above the other. I tried to jam out, only to be blasted with air, more than once!

-10: Thin, hard, plastic steering wheel was not comfy.

-10: It sometimes had a hard time going when stopped at an incline.

-5: I occasionally heard the tires squealing when making turns that weren't even sharp or fast.

+5: Like Blitzen, the key, lock, and unlock buttons are all together in one piece; no separate "clicker"

+20: Also like Blitzen, it's equipped with Sirius!

+10: You have to stomp on the gas, but it'll really move if you want it to.

+5: Big (3.5 L) engine makes a nice growl when you do so!

+50: Made me appreciate my own little car even more.

Movie Review: The Informant!

Hmm...in honor of Sam J. Miller's 25-word movie reviews, I'll try to distill this one to the same length:

Hokey music got old fast. Almost quirky, not endearing. Reminded me of an ex-boyfriend's crazy dad. What was I supposed to learn from this? Mediocre.

Mad Props for Mad Pops!!!

Well, since aforementioned car accident (see "Gallery Night, in Retrospect" posting), I have seen my Chiropractor, Dr. Kathi Maher, twice this week.

On Monday, I was sitting in her waiting room, realizing just how stiff my neck had gotten. I could hardly look up to the ceiling. Turning my head to either side required a conscious effort. She brought me in and examined me.

"Do you have any problems with your hips?" She asked. I told her that, yes, sometimes they were stiff and hurt for no reason. She put a finger on each bone. "Here's the top of this one, here's the other. They're way off." I looked down to see her fingers, which were anything but in line with each other. She had me lay face-down on the table, and wedged foam blocks under each of my hips. After a few minutes, she instructed me to walk around the office. WOW! I could already tell a difference!

After that, her massage therapist worked on my neck for a bit. She also used something called a S.C.E.N.A.R., which I was skeptical of, but it really seemed to relax my neck and shoulders.

Another walk-around break followed, and then it was time for the big adjustment. Dr. Kathi had me lay (lie?) face-up on the table. She held my head in her hands, gently turning it from side to side. "Breathe in, " she instructed. "And out..." I expected a big twist, but no, not yet. "Wiggle your toes." BBBBRRRAATTT! She popped my neck like a bendy straw! It was so loud and long that I gasped aloud! We laughed. Wow! When she did the other side, it wasn't nearly as dramatic.

I walked out of her office feeling like a new woman! I just want to recommend her to anyone reading this. She treats a host of problems, not just neck and back. Her clinic is Health by Hands, located in Arlington.

Indulging in the Luxuries of Others

Today was the last of a ten-day dog-, cat-, and house-sitting stint I did. The homeowners, friends of my aunt and uncle, were away on a 40th anniversary trip to Greece. House-sitting, while a great gig, is a pretty backwards way to get to know someone.

The owners requested I stay at the house, which was fine by me. They were very gracious, and encouraged me to use their internet, watch their TV, borrow their books, eat their food, and drive their car (This worked out perfectly as mine is in the shop!). This couple has a really sweet house. Staying there familiarized me with all the things they probably take for granted/view as essentials to their way of life. Some I relished, some almost made me roll my eyes.

For instance, I enjoyed...

• cable TV
• having a washer, dryer, and dishwasher
• covered parking
• full bookshelves in every room and hallway
• an abundance of snacks and drinks
• having more than 3 or 4 of each dish/utensil!

But I wondered if these weren't frivolous...

• the daily arrival of at least 2 newspapers and a stack of glossy magazines and catalogs
• 2 varieties of ice in the freezer: one made by the icemaker, the other bought from Sonic
• remote-controlled window shades
• sleep-number bed (I didn't care about learning to use it; I just slept on the softer side)
• marble shower with built-in bench seat and steam jets
• heated towel rack
• wall-mounted hair dryer
• maid service
• an additional huge freezer full of food

Don't get me wrong: I'm not trying to be judgmental, or haughty, or resentful. This has just got me thinking. It seems I am constantly having to relearn that we are all very different when it comes to priorites, lifestyles, incomes, values, etc.

I then examined my own life. What are my luxuries? I find it hard to not buy books, new or used. I must have Kleenex in the house (I know that my mom would call that luxurious). I demand the right to maintain a regular exercise schedule- I can get fidgety and grumpy without it. I also like to have at least 2 different perfumes- 'cause who wants to smell the same every single day? Oh, and I pretty much expect something sweet to follow dinner!

What is a "luxury" that you cannot do without?

So, what are you reading these days?

Share your recent reads with me, and your opinion of them. Here are mine:

A couple days ago I finished Sarah's Key, by Tatiana de Rosnay. This is one my aunts recommended to my mom and I. It is a beautiful, haunting read whose pace quickens the further into the book you go. The plot involves two story lines: one of a present-day American woman living in Paris, the other involving a ten-year old Jewish girl in Nazi-occupied France. You realize their connection early on in the book, but these two threads are more tightly wound than you think! I highly recommend it.

Since I seem to have been in the only English class in the country that did NOT read The Hobbit, I am finally getting around to it. Honestly, I'm not a huge fan of fantasy books: elves, goblins, etc. Give me an art, sociology, or even historical fiction any day. However, I told Jesse I'd give it fifty pages. I am at page seventy already and am enchanted! The writing is descriptive and lovely, the story exciting. It reminds me of the Grimm's Fairy Tales that my dad used to read to my brothers and I (the ones with the scary illustrations that we would peek at anyway)!

Finally, I am in the first one-third of John Piper's Don't Waste Your Life. From the back cover:

God created us to live with a single passion: to joyfully display his supreme excellence in all the spheres of life. The wasted life is the life without this passion. God calls us to pray and think and dream and plan and work not to be made much of, but to make much of Him in every part of our lives.

This book is a great perspective-corrector for me. It renews my focus whenever I get caught up in things like worrying about my weight, or making fun of people who wear Crocs! It is full of scripture, wisdom, and relatable anecdotes.

Gallery Night, In Retrospect

Jesse, lookin' swank next to his epic Cortes the Killer.

Yours truly, in a fun new dress, next to my photo Red Flag.

Well friends, Fort Worth Fall Gallery Night has come and gone. WHOOSH! All that preparation and list-making and errand running, for a brief night of getting dressed up, schmoozing, and having fun. I really enjoyed it. My sincerest thanks to Jesse for giving me the opportunity to show my art "for reals." It was great to meet his friends, and their friends, and their friends... Thanks to my family and friends who made it out despite the icky weather!

I am pleased to say that my lemon cakeballs were a hit, disappearing quickly from the plate. The margarita machine was a crowd-pleaser, as well as Jesse's queso.

Around 10:45, I left briefly to check on the pups I am dog-sitting this week. I was waiting at a red light, minding my own business, when WHAM! I was rear-ended by a Chevy Avalanche. Keeping in mind that I drive a VW GTI, I bet you can guess who won that battle! Jesse was on the scene in no time, holding my hand and telling me I'd be ok. He was an angel. (Thank you sweetness!) My neck felt like a rubber band that had been stretched to capacity! I opted to go for X-rays, but not in the ambulance. HUGE thanks to Ricardo and Stacey for helping Jesse and I. They were truly a blessing, as is the fact that I am ok!

Aww, what a good-looking couple! ;)

A sweet song...

...I can't hear this and NOT feel blessed and hopeful. Enjoy!

Movie Review: The Band's Visit

Last night, I watched the 2007 Israeli movie The Band's Visit. It focuses on an Egyptian police band being stranded for the night in a desolate Israeli village. The band and their new hosts face a partial language barrier (all the characters speak some English), but are able to bridge some gaps with music.

I am still undecided on how I feel about this movie. To be sure, it has some sweet moments, and some funny ones. However, about halfway through, I decided that it is framed, lit, and colored within an inch of its life. I think that this took away from the opportunity to augment the precious little that we learn about the characters.

But, perhaps these issues reflect a great treatment of what that situation would really be like: you are in a strange place, cannot leave 'til morning, and forced to rely on the kindness of strangers. You share little with your new hosts, but notice plenty about your surroundings.

Considering all this, and that the film runs a scant 87 minutes, I would say of The Band's Visit: I wish they'd stayed longer.

Gallery Night

Fall Gallery Night is fast approaching, and I am incredibly excited. This will be the first exhibit of my artwork! I'm going to be showing a selection from my photography series tentatively titled "Nixed Messages." Plus the people I'm showing with are ridiculously talented, and I'm eager to see what they've got cooked up! So come on out for margaritas, hors d'oeuvres, and...ART!

Movie Review: Mad Hot Ballroom

This weekend, I finally watched Mad Hot Ballroom. Released in May of 2005, it was one of many on my shamefully-long list of "movies I've been meaning to see." It is a documentary following New York City fifth-graders as they learn ballroom dancing, and prepare for a city-wide competition. I couldn't find a video to embed, watch the trailer here.

Ballroom was funny, sweet, and inspiring. Lil Bear watched it with me, and we both enjoyed it. The kids' perspectives are the best. They discuss everything from who they like best to dance with, to not wanting to be like the drug dealers they see in their neighborhood. They were infinitely more street smart than this suburbanite was in fifth grade!

Through learning dance steps and accompanying etiquette, the students learned much more. Many of the teachers reported positive changes in the behavior of "problem" kids, along with an increased sense of self-confidence.

Mad Hot Ballroom was a touching reinforcement of what I've always felt: the arts should be made accessible to everyone- young and old, urban and rural, rich and poor, black, white, brown, yellow... The fine arts exist as a means of expression, and edification, for ALL people. Two thumbs up!

FUNemployment Project #1,000,000: Headbands!

The job search is not going so hot. I am getting discouraged. In attempt to distract myself/boost my spirits, I made these feathery headbands yesterday. The supplies were uber-cheap. (Dollar Tree, anyone?) There's a brown one...

And a black one!

Here they are together.

Ta-da! What are your summer projects???

I woke up with this song in my head...

...Does that ever happen to you? My favorite line: "Is it something so good, just can't function no more..."

Top Ten Things from Your 20s You'll Regret When You're 40

From COED Magazine, check out the article here.

I definitely get these. I am grateful to have made it to 26 with nary a tattoo or divorce!

40-somethings and above, what would you add to this list?

20-somethings, do you agree/disagree with these?

(PS- I don't know who these girls are. They popped up in a Google Image search for "tramp stamp.")

Thing #23: Stick a fork in me, I'm done!

1. What were your favorite exercises/discoveries on this learning journey? I really enjoyed setting up, and posting to my blog. It provided such a great avenue for using/describing what I learned in each subsequent Thing, and comments from others were helpful and interesting!
2. How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals? It has encouraged me to never stop learning, one of my ideals anyway, but expanded my scope of how to accomplish that beyond books or classes.
3. Were there any take-aways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you? Overall, just how easy it is to locate, learn, share, and create amazing things with the applications we used!
4. What could we do differently to improve upon this program's format or concept? Nothing comes to mind! As I mentioned, I love the blog-based format. And, each exercise was useful, interesting, and fun.
5. If we offered another discovery program like this in the future, would you choose to participate? Yes!
6. How would you describe your learning experience in one word or one sentence? Illuminating!

Thing #22

Ning! This Thing is about Ning. A Ning Thing! I used Ning last summer, as my mom was doing L2P. She created a Ning for our family, "Family Files." We could post events and activities, share photos and video, and write blogs. I recall describing it as "like Facebook or Myspace, without all the shady people."

The idea of using a Ning for a specific topic (besides family, that is) was new to me. I explored the Future of Education Ning for a bit. It seems like an excellent venue for the exchange of ideas related to, well, the future of education! This Ning features a podcast interview series, discussion forums (fora?)

I think it would be cool for all the faculty and staff in a school (or maybe a district, depending upon the size) to be in a Ning together. They could have individual profiles, important dates on a single calendar, and memos could be posted school- or district-wide quickly. I guess the only drawback would be getting personnel into the habit of checking it regularly. Hmmm...

Thing #21: Parents and Ranger Danger

Alas, I am technically unable complete this Thing. I am working from a Mac, and so cannot download Photostory. However, as a substitute, I present two snippets from my life.

The first features my dad, a burly 6'7", picking up my mom, a delicate 5'4". I think they are so cute!

The second is my aunt's puppy, Ranger. I took this clip the week that I puppy-sat for him.

No s**t?!

Watch CBS Videos Online

Thing #20

Here is my embedded video, found on Teacher Tube. This was an interesting, fun, and short clip- perfect to spark an in-class discussion, and inspire students to post videos of their own discoveries!

I think they would really get excited about the idea of making a YouTube video of their science experiments. We could view, discuss, and critique them as a class. It could be used for group or individual projects!

Thing #19

I stopped in the midst of a free trial language lesson (Portuguese for English-speakers) to write this entry. It is online, at Mango Languages. SO FUN!!! This site is listed on the 2008 Web 2.0 Awards under the education category.

I think Mango would be a great tool for schools. Its front page touts that, through libraries, ML is available to 30 million residents in the US and Canada. I love learning languages. I think it is absolutely essential for surviving in a global economy and community!

As I am going through my lesson, I can repeat slides as often as I like. I see the parts of a sentence broken down, pronounced, and translated literally. I am quizzed on the whole sentence, as well as individual words. Rolling the mouse over words shows you pronunciation hints. And, repetition, repetition, repetition! It's a fantastic application. I wouldn't go so far as to say that it should be the entirety of a foreign language course, but certainly a useful tool for learning and practice. My trial lesson has 3 tabs: the lesson, a vocabulary review, and a phrasebook review! Try it and tell me what you think.

Thing #18

This Thing is all about online productivity tools, such as Open Office. This is a really cool idea! You can create and edit documents, spreadsheets, slide presentations, graphics, and databases-all using the free OO software. And, you can save them in different file formats! Plus, the software is free to download, and works on any operating system (Windows, Mac OS, Linux, etc.). It has all the features that I regularly use on Microsoft Office. Apart from making the transition from other software to OO, I really don't see many disadvantages! I wish I'd learned about this before buying Office for my Mac...

Thing #17: Rollyo

Rollyo...think of it as a very choosy Google, one in which you set the parameters. For my custom Rollyo, I created one called "Shopping." Then I entered all the websites that I know that have really cute stuff. I decided to test it out by running a search for "Sunglasses". And presto! A host of sunglasses from a variety of online shops I know were now at my fingertips. The fruit of my labors (found at Plasticland):

Thing #16: Here, Wiki, Wiki, Wiki!

WOW! Wikis are yet another genius Web 2.0 tool. I think the Common Craft video simply explains the greatness that is the Wiki.

As I mentioned on the SBISD Library Wiki, I think a parent- and teacher-used Wiki would be great for planning field trips. Times, dates, supplies, and parent chaperones could all be coordinated on one page, for all the users to see.

Also, a student-centered Wiki would be great for test preparation. Students could post about concepts they weren't quite clear on, and other students could explain it in their posts. I think the online medium for this would give both those who are struggling, and those who are excelling, a little more confidence to admit it. It would also foster a sense of community among classmates, since they'd be helping each other out, and learning from each other.

Just for fun....

I am trying to get this darn thing finished by August 10th. I admit, I slacked off some during my teacher training classes. I've done 2 "Thing #..." postings today. If I stick with my plan, I need to do 2 more. I've also had this stuck in my head off and on for a few weeks. Wanted to post it because it tickles me, like most silly things. Enjoy!

Thing #15: The Future of Libraries

The above video I watched for the beginning of Thing #15 brought to mind a quote I read recently. Unfortunately I can't locate it, or its author, at the moment! The gist of it is that schools were designed (centuries ago) for students who were experience-rich and information-poor, but that students now are the opposite: experience-poor, and information-rich.

With both an inexplicable affinity for the printed word, and an eagerness to share knowledge with my students through relevant channels, I went into this Thing a bit undecidedly. First off, the notion that the nature of life, learning, and even information have changed drastically just within the last decade demands acknowledgement. The library is no exception.

I read two articles with different approaches, but like-minded perspectives.

The first, Away from the "Icebergs", details three separate "icebergs" that will surely spell disaster for librarians rowing their way into modernity. I think the author, Rick Anderson, makes a strong final point: that libraries must not be opposed to change, but they must also avoid discarding their basic principles and values for the sake of our culture's shifting ideas of novel technology.

The same point is made in the second article I read, Into a New World of Librarianship. Here the author, Michael Stephens, details the things that libraries must do to remain relevant. He says that technological changes in the library must be tempered by asking the following:

• "Does it meet the user's need in a new or improved way?"
• "Does it create a useful service for putting users together with the information and experience they seek?"

I must say that I was impressed with the overall progressive tone of these 2 articles! Shamefully, I admit that I generalized librarians as guardians of dusty tomes, card catalogues, and "inside voices." This whole workshop, and this exercise in particular, have changed my opinion. Librarians are gatekeepers of knowledge! They are now faced with the great challenge of remaining relevant to users, but seem to be eager to accept this challenge.

Thing #14: Technorati

Technorati strikes me as another one of those "Man, wish I'd thought of that!" ideas. It's filtering the blogosphere through tags, popularity, and authority.

After watching this video, I understood it more fully. I realized just how important the blogosphere has become in recent years with regards to news, technology, and popular culture. A popular blog or tag, as the Technorati staffers explain, indicates that those with "real world perspectives" think it is important, aka worth blogging about.

The authority concept is important. It's interesting how a blog's level of authority is determined on Technorati: the more people who link to your blog, the more authority it has.

In searching "School Library Learning 2.0" in blog posts, I got 0 results. This same search in the blog directory gave me lots of results. And, interestingly enough, this same search in tags turned up lots of Library 2 Play blogs!

I think that the tagging concept combined with authority make the blogosphere very classroom-relevant. Like one of the staffers in the video said, you'll be able to read about events that would never appear on the evening news. How awesome would it be to enlighten young minds with some of these discoveries?! I was encouraged to see that the top searches included "news" and "environment" (albeit being accompanied by "Paris Hilton" and "Vanessa Minnillo").

I can't get over that the top tags included "blog", "blogging", and "weblog". Please explain...is the blogosphere that self-absorbed (and blogging about blogging), or are blog posts by default receiving these tags?

Thing #13: Tag, you're it!

This thing was all about using the social bookmarking site delicious.  First I checked out the CommonCraft video, which made it all clear.  Then I watched the 8-minute podcast by a monotone Learning 2.0 narrator.  It provided more in-depth info, but I found myself frequently checking to see how much time was left!

Then came visiting the site itself.  It is amazingly easy to use.  Its front page features the most recently bookmarked sites.  I could see how these would be a potential time waster/distraction from your original focus!  I already clicked on an article about the Marines starting a one-year ban of social networking sites (e.g. Twitter and Facebook), and one about the pardon of 2 American journalists in North Korea!

Every tag you choose or think up is like a differently-shaped funnel through which you can filter the internet's myriad websites.  Not only that, you can see how many users chose the same tag for a certain website, who they are, and what other tags they chose for that site!  And, on top of that, you can see all the other sites that they bookmarked. (This last feature would make me cautious of what I bookmarked on delicious and what I just bookmarked on my own computer!)  

The networking feature is really cool.  I can see it being useful in a class, maybe for a group project.  However, I don't know that finding sites containing a particular tag and bookmarking them demonstrates an in-depth knowledge of a certain topic...but maybe you could then discuss the class network's findings together, and get the kids talking about why they chose this or that site, something new they learned on it, etc.?  Or maybe the class network could be the first step for an individual research project?  Like, you all find resources, discuss and choose the best sites, and then the kids proceed on their own from there?  Hmmm... let me know if you have other ideas for classroom application!

Thing #12

This thing is about commenting and interacting with others in the blogosphere.  I have to confess that I don't really comment much on others' blogs, unless it's my aunt's or my mom's.  I don't know, I guess I feel really shy about it.  In "analog" conversations as well, I'm more of a listener.  By the time someone asks me for input, all I can think of is to correct something someone else said.  And that, my friends, makes me feel like a snooty jerkface.  

 

However, I really enjoyed this article on Meredith Farkas' blog.  Her main point is that the information/knowledge you have is meant to be shared!  Why do I feel so shy about sharing my own knowledge, but I encourage it in others?  Maybe I am worried about my delivery.  I would hate to be like the father of a guy I once dated, who would often interject, "Trivia question!  Trivia question!" And proceed to ask a question only he knew the answer to.  I hope that when I do share what I know, I do so because I'm excited about what I've learned, and that others are excited about it too!

In this foray into blogging, I was glad to learn that I was already using many of the 10 Techniques to Get More Comments on Your Blog.  I found it intriguing that only one out of every ten readers comment...the rest are called "lurkers"!

There are a handful of non-L2P blogs which I read regularly.  List of the Day is a good example of a blog whose posts often make me want to comment.  The author will periodically post "Questions of the Day" and invite readers to leave answers in the comments.  Also, there are a few photoblogs, e.g. Failblog, that have weekly captioning contests for their weird/funny photos.  Readers can leave their ideas in the comments.  It's interesting how encouraging your readers to interact can ease their transition from lurker to commenter! 

One reason why I admire my mom...

...Among many, of course.  We were just talking on the phone while she was out and about running errands.  

Keep in mind that I have been told, "You're a totally different person behind the wheel!"  I will yell, swear, and honk at the drop of a hat.  Other drivers need my guidance.  Badly.  One of my favorites: "Pick a lane, Captain No-Lane!"*  

So my mom was talking to me and driving just now, and she blurted out, "Sir, why didn't you put on your blinker sooner?  Sorry, I don't mean to be impatient with you, it's just a consideration to others on the road."  When I asked her about her kind, calm, and thoroughly explained statement, she said, "Well, I try not to be impatient, 'cause I really don't like it."  Touche!

*Although, I've improved quite a bit by reminding myself the simple phrase: You never know who has a bad mood, and a gun under their seat.

Treasures

Last weekend I had the pleasure of accompanying a wonderful guy to a party celebrating the opening of an exhibit at the Kimbell Art Museum.  Butchers, Dragons, Gods & Skeletons is a gorgeous feast for the eyes.  Filmmaker Philip Haas created five film installations inspired by works in the Kimbell's permanent collection.  Each is beautiful and intriguing.  I highly recommend going to check it out if you are anywhere near the vicinity of the Kimbell!

A day or two beforehand, however, I received (from aforementioned wonderful guy) two treasures relating to the exhibit.  If you know me, you know that I love art, and I love books.  These were the best of both worlds: 2 books, inscribed to yours truly, about art!  Swoon!  Here is a photo I took of the catalogue's title page, signed by Philip Haas (the artist), A.S. Byatt (author of the catalogue), and Malcolm Warner (Deputy Director of the Kimbell)!   

The other book (also signed by the author) is A.S. Byatt's The Matisse Stories.  I was flabbergasted.  So sweet!  So thoughtful!  So awesome!  Comment with an amazing, unexpected gift you've received!!!

Thing #11

Thing #11 was to create a profile on LibraryThing, add at least 5 books, and play around with it.

I would say that it'd be a great tool for a book club to use, but, again, wouldn't it be more fun to sit around and sip coffee and eat pastries and talk about a book?  I guess I am more in favor of the "analog" in this area.

However, LibraryThing does have a lot of other great capabilities!  For example, I can look up other members who have my book, and see what else is in their library.  If I see an interesting title, I can click on it, see its average rating, and read some reviews of it!  A handy tool, no doubt, for those pesky volumes you're just not quite sure would be good buys.  Sure, you might not know the reviewers, but with Library Thing, you can quickly discover people with very similar tastes and interests.

I am trying to add my LT widget to my blog, but I can't get it just right.  Regardless of the number of columns I make it, the edge keeps getting cut off.  Any pointers?

Thing #10

At long last!  I finally got around to doing Thing #10, which involves discovering online image generators.  Soooo fun!!!

The first tool I used was one with which I was already familiar.  Last summer, when my mom was doing L2P, she would send me-almost daily- comics she had made with the Comic Strip Generator.  I was eager to try my hand at this myself!  I can't think of a classroom use for this one that is anything but pure silliness.  Here's my creation:

After that, I wanted to return to the Trading Card Maker.  I had an idea for how this could be used in class: students could each research an endangered species, create a card, and do a presentation about it (including distribution of cards to classmates).  Then they'd all have a deck of endangered animals!  I could then assess their learning with a quiz over all the animals, and also throw in a few self-assessment questions (e.g. "After seeing your classmates' cards, what would you do differently next time?  What are you most proud of?" etc.)  Here's my example:

Hmmm, in thinking more about said quiz, I decided that I should aim a bit higher on the ol' Bloom's Taxonomy scale with regard to the questions I ask.  Maybe things like, "Which animals would be most affected by [x environmental factor]?" Or, "List 3 ways you can help endangered species in your everyday life."

Thing #9

So, this task had me exploring useful library blogs and news feeds.  

I must say, the article we were first instructed to read, which appears on the Cool Cat Teacher Blog, was very inspiring!  It encourages us to form a "Circle of the Wise" in the online world, from which to glean encouragement, wisdom, etc.  (Whoa, "from which to glean"?  I must be feeling poetic or something.)

Anywho, I gave a couple of search tools a whirl.  

As recommended, I checked out the list of EduBlog's Award winners.  I love how tangential the internet lets me be!  Within seconds, I was watching a girl perform some kind of cultural dance at an intermediate school in New Zealand! 

Syndic8 confused me.  I was overwhelmed looking at all the stuff right on the front page (5 new this, 5 random that, 5 most popular this, etc.)

I then tried Technorati, running a search for "lithography."  I was intrigued that the results included not only blog posts, but related video clips as well!  Swoon!  I found this great demo of the beautifully laborious process that is lithography.

It Never Fails...

Every year, as the Fourth of July approaches, I have the following thought: "Well, I'm [insert number] years old, now...the fireworks probably won't dazzle me like they used to."  I don't know why that is.  I guess I equate the basic lights-and-sounds nature of pyrotechnics to wide-eyed, gaping-mouthed childhood wonder.  

And, every year, I am pleased to discover that I am still susceptible to said sense of wonder.  Finding this out fills me with a sentiment not unlike holiday cheer (could such a thing exist in 100-something degree weather)!

Of course, the time with family and friends, homemade peppermint ice cream, and twirling around with a sparkler in my hand weren't too shabby either.  

What was the best part of your holiday??

Thing #8: RSS Feeds and Readers

Yeah...I'm pretty sure this RSS thing is frickin' GENIUS!  I slightly knew what it was before the likes of L2P, but I shied away from it, thinking it would just stuff my email with unwanted news stories or something.  But no!  You view all your favorite websites in a reader!  It's convenient, consolidated, current, and...not your email inbox!

I discovered an interesting blog, The Art of Teaching Science.  I love that Google Reader has a search tool, so that you can discover anything that piques your interest!  That's definitely a handy feature.  If you could find the right feed, you could probably stay current on a certain topic, too,  (e.g. if your class was studying plate tectonics, you could keep them up on all the earthquakes that've been happening around Cleburne)!

Some Morning Inspiration

This morning, I was sitting on the couch, eating my granola and watching The Early Show.  I had my green Nalgene water bottle on the coffee table.  On the side of it is printed "FILTERFORGOOD.COM I pledge to reduce bottled water waste."  The sun shining through it cast the word "GOOD" onto the table in front of me.  Let's just say I was encouraged by it.  I thought I'd share it so you might be, too!