Thing Who?

As I close this chapter of my life, I look back on all the things I.... ok, hold on a second... I know I did somethin.... What was it now??? Ok, I remember somethin about how I made the avatar movie... No, that doesn't sound right :/ I think I remember writing my name in the snow.... or maybe I used some funny lookin letters from a rummage sale??? I definately remember learning to always finish what I sta.... no... To start what i can't fin..... no... To plan my work, and work my plan? nah.... All I know is, at the end of the game, I get a free snow cone.... (I'm gonna get grape!)

If not for God and humor, I would not survive....

Let's be realistic, I'm spent... I have a very fulfilling and involved life. I am a life long learner, but lately I've been overwhelmed...

R.I.P. Blog.... til we meet again :)

Thing #23

Woohoo! Made it to the end! Thing 23! Now I can...... wait, what's that? I'm not done? There's a 24th thing hiding somewhere? So, do I have to re-title my blog now? No? Alright then, it will just stay our little secret... :)

The 43 Things reference shows where the idea for this blog was taken from. I think creative commons is something I will start learning about more. As a musician, I already have original works in existence that I would like to have control over, and yet share with others. Brilliant idea. Wish I had thought of it....

Thing #22

So, Podcasts, huh? Seems like DVR for the radio. If you're one of those people who listen to talk radio... Despite being a music teacher, I must admit, I listen to NPR every time I drive. This does of course exclude the times my wife and I are riding together, because then it's her radio. :) I really don't mind, she has excellent taste in music. *tangent concluded*

The convenience factor of Podcasts is really off the charts. Although, the progression seems only natural. I choose when I want to eat, sleep, use the tinkle parlor.... Why shouldn't I get to choose when I listen to my radio programs? Sadly, choosing is where my involvement ends. I don't have time to listen to everything out there that might interest me...

I chose to listen to one of Florida College's Daily Chapel Podcasts. I got my undergraduate degree from this very small Christian school in Temple Terrace. They broadcast their chapel assemblies from every day. I actually know the guys in charge of putting this online, and they're so efficient at their job, I was already able to listen to the podcast from today. It was nice to reminisce. One of my favorite professors gave the talk, and then they had announcements that allowed me to hear two more familiar voices cracking jokes.

It would be great to listen to these everyday, but like I said, right now I really don't have the time....

Thing #21

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

I tried to choose pictures that were near and dear.... to my desk. There's a few pictures of My principal and I dancing during Honor Choir rehearsal. There's also some artwork that students have made for me that is proudly displayed on the wall in front of my desk. I even threw in a little love from some dead composers. The song is me and some people singing and goofin around.

As for Animoto, I suppose you get what you pay for. I know I rotated one of my pictures, but it wasn't right on the video. I have no idea where all the flips and fades came from, but I suppose it looks alright. Also, if there was a preview option, I didn't see it. Most people don't go straight from a rough draft to print, but oh well. :/ That's my heartbroken face, if you can picture it...

Overall, It's cute, and possibly worth looking into the pay version to see what else they can offer me.

Thing #20

Yeah, I've looked at stuff on Youtube for a while now. I think the site is a ton of fun. People get to publish themselves and see how others view them. There's some amazingly creative people out there, and it's a great way to share. There's lots of places where you can see video of TV shows. I think the best part of Youtube is how anyone can be published. I chose to post what I have cause it was me. :) It felt kind of like a cop-out to post someone else performing something, so I just decided to make my own video. Youtube walked me through it very precisely. They did everything but wipe my nose for me. It was really straight forward. Hope you like the songs!

Thing #19

"Here I go, here I go, here I go, again...."

Props to Amanda for catching the song reference :)

Teacher Pop seems like the same thing as Facebook, but obviously geared toward the common thread of teaching. You can post messages, pictures, video... yada yada.... Again, let me say, despite being a member of Facebook, I'm barely ever on it. If I make such little use of a generic way of keeping in touch with others, I have so much less room on my plate for such a specific venue.

I loaded my youtube video onto the page. I figure if I'm gonna draw attention to myself I would use that. In the info on the song I link my Acapella groups website. My goal is to send people there to be uplifted.

I also commented on some video of a kids science project being weighed or something? I was really hoping for an action shot, but whatever they were weighing layed lifelessly on the scale :/

I liked dales apologize parody video to that he linked...

Oh, and I checked out the last.fm link because it was under the music heading. It almost seemed like a dating sight that revolved around musical interests. At this point in my life, I'm not really interested in branching out to meet new women over the internet, so, color me uninterested.

Thing #18

Right, so... I didn't have to go look at these cause I already use them both. Of course, to be fair, I don't really log onto Myspace anymore.

So I suppose it's obvious which one I like better. I use Facebook pretty consistently. I am here. Although I could do a better job of keeping up with people. I think as far a being a professional in the work place, it has been drilled into me that future employers could be looking on sites like these, and that it's important to be careful what you put there. I think it's a great way to mantain casual relationships with people, however, I think there are much better, more professionally geared sites out there for classrom use.

I like being able to search for people based on the information they list about themselves. It's super easy to find people I went to High School or College with because of these features.

I (along with a few others) even have a Facebook Fan Club page that is devoted to a group I belong to. It's great for getting feedback, and communicating with a specific group of people.

What stands out to me as the biggest opposition to using Facebook and Myspace in schools is that they are banned by firewalls there...