Just what you need for Christmas

Just in case you were missing that Christmas feeling, here is a singing wookie, to lull you into the proper Christmas spirit ...


Chewie Sings

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Days off

It's SO nice to have some time off. Today was the first day off for Christmas break. Actually as a school administrator, I don't get the kind of breaks that I used to when I was a classroom teacher. Just one thing about being a teacher that I really miss. I have 4 days off, then I work on Tues and Wed, and then another 4 days off again.

Today we got almost nothing done. Almost. We went out to look for Sandy's skates. This year her main Christmas present is a pair of inline skates. Woohoo! I'm so excited! She's just learning how to skate, but I'm sure she'll pick it up. We need to find some good places for her to practice and then take her down to Mission beach to get some skating in.

Just in time for Christmas!

If you are done with your shopping and have too much time on your hands ...

Ya right ...

Go here:

http://www.pimpmynutcracker.com/

For Photo Lovers

This is a link I've saved / used when I need some photo inspirations for my own photography or just to check out other cool work that people are creating ...

Flickr's Last 7 days most interesting photos

It changes every time you visit it so you can "reload" and check out even more pics.

I love photos, looking at them and creating them. I've always appreciated good art, 2D, sculpture, etc. With the exception of simple sketches I've never had a much patience (nor talent) to create remarkable works. Not only that, I've always thought that, after all the work I might put into a "piece", in the end I would have one "thing", one painting, one sculpture, one drawing. That has it's appeal, but not if you want to share it with many people.

Enter the digital age. Anything I create I can share via files and pixels. Enter photography. Enter digital photography. Oh ya baby!!! I have always been a photographer, as long as I can remember (really). When I was a very young kid, I got a black and white (camera) that I had to load 120 size film by hand (no cartridges!). Later on I got a color, Kodak pocket instamatic. Oh man I was stylin' now!

In high school I was one of the school photographers for the yearbook and newspaper. I shot 35mm for the first time! I used an old Pentax (a range finder) and BW film. I developed all the prints in a darkroom at the school. I learned how to develop film from scratch, use enlargers, dodge, burn, create contact prints, etc.

In college I bought my first SLR. A Canon EOS (the original). I went through several more SLRs (all EOS), and loved to take pics, but didn't like the fact that I had so little control over the developing process. I didn't have a dark room and relied on a shop to make my prints. I couldn't crop, or manipulate my images in any way.

Along comes digital photography. Even with the first cameras (a Sony Mavica) that had low resolution, I KNEW it was going to revolutionize the photo industry. I kept reading article after article at the time that said that digital photography would NEVER replace film. I smiled as I knew, confidently, it surely would.

Today I shoot with a digital SLR (Canon 20D) and a digital compact (Canon G6). I love them both for different reasons. In my "darkroom" (Photoshop), I can crop, burn, dodge, and manipulate to my hearts content.

Photography allows me to be creative, to create art and memories. I love the techy side of learning how to use the tools (the camera and photoshop) to truly create new works that are from my mind and heart. It didn't take me years of practice (like painting) to create a piece of reasonable quality. The images that I've created can be easily shared, they are not the one of a kind works such as a sculpture.

Don't get me wrong, I will always love and appreciate good art of any sort, but for me, the ability to CREATE is second to none.

Easily Amused

Okay I admit it, I am WAY to easily amused. This thing had me all cracked up in a pathetic way. It doesn't take much I guess ...

The Button

CETPA, first full day

Hear my ramblings about the first day at the CETPA conference.

Listen

Traffic, CETPA and PodCacher Growth

Drove up to Santa Barbara today for the CETPA conference. Hear my ramblings about the car pool lane and the HUGE spike in PodCacher listeners.

Listen

Audio Problems

I've been stumped. I can't figure this one out. An audio, sound engineering conundrum.

Listen

Back from the PME

Listen

Just got back from the ultra geeky and very exciting Portable Media Expo.

I'm trying a new audio version of this blog. You can listen to it on the computer or download the file and listen to it on an MP3 player. You can also subscribe to this blog as a podcast (the feed link is on my main page) and get new shows when they are posted.

Too Much Time

... on someone's hands.

Why?

Go here

What do you need?

This is funny. Here's a free online fortune cookie or crystal ball.

Go to Google.

Type in "X needs" (including the quotes)

In place of X put your name. (i.e. for me it would be "Sonny needs")

It's hilarious to find out what you need.

Artificial Intelligence vs Natural Stupidity

I read to completely unrelated things today.

Several months ago I posted here about a new gadget that I got, the 20Q handheld device. It was a "game" that could guess what you were thinking about in about 20 questions. The online version was very impressive. It used a very complex system hooked up to a massive database to be able to guess what you were thinking.

Here's the link to the online 20Q game.

Apparently it's an experiment in Artificial Intelligence. According to the creators, the game "learns" as more and more people give it input. Scary, fun but scary. I wonder how long before it becomes self aware and decides that it doesn't need us puny humans any longer? :)

A fun, cool, geeky version of the game is here. You'll especially enjoy this version if you are a Star Wars geek like me. Turn up your speakers!

Okay, so much for the Intelligence, now for the Stupidity.

Have you been to the Darwin Awards website? The site is full of stories of people who have killed themselves and thus removed their DNA from the gene pool. The thought is by removing genes for stupidity from the human gene pool, the human race will evolve ... into less stupid humans ... over time ...

Here's another story that tells me it's going to take a long time ...

iPods and Hearing Loss

This Sunday I went walking / jogging in my neighborhood. I was headed down a "larger" street in the area: Over 2 lanes wide with a grass area divider between the two streets. Trees are planted in this grassy divide. On the OTHER sidewalk going in the other direction was another walker / jogger. I wasn't looking directly at him or paying any particular attention, but as I got closer, I could hear a sort of "hiss". Again, I wasn't paying attention to anything in particular, but this sound made me wonder. It sounded like a faint steam hiss. As I began paying attention I realized there were rhythmic beats in the "steam", sort of like tic, tic, tic ... I started looking around and realized that the sound was coming from the guy across the street ... I then glanced at him and realized that he had some white earbuds in place and was walking while listening to his music player (probably and iPod). He didn't even look at me, he was groovin' to the beat. I could hear from ACROSS THE STREET! I couldn't tell what song or distinguish any lyrics, but I could actually hear that he was listening to something!!! Whoa.

Read this


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Crab vs Pipe

This is a video taken in 6000 feet of water. An undersea robot is sawing a 3mm wide slit in a pipeline. The pressure inside the pipeline is 0 psi, while the pressure outside is 2700 psi, or 1.3 tons per square inch. Then a crab comes along.... Link

TechnoFrustration

I'm sure that there are some of my non-techie friends out there get the impression that I never have trouble with technology. I know that some of them are really luddites at heart and would be happy if we could go back to the days of the carrier pigeon and making our own soap. I know that many of that many of them have experienced frustration with technology and probably think that I never do. The truth is, I often do. Most of the time I just push forward with persistance and determination because I need to do that to get the job done. I've encouraged them to do this and I try and model how you "usually" can win against the technology gremlins ... most of the time.

Yesterday, I got fed up and felt the techno-rage well up inside me. Within 48 hours the following things happened.

The back button on my browser would not work while I was working on Cal State work. No explanation.
I couldn't log on to AOL. No explanation.
Zip file wouldn't extract on one computer. No explanation.
iPod wouldn't connect. I think the HD is going bad. No explanation.
Car wouldn't start.
My new Palm has software install "issues" and kept losing data.
A CD jams in the powerbook while I am teaching at Cal State.
Couldn't find a paperclip to eject the CD. I later realize that the new PowerBooks do not have a manual paperclip eject feature anyhow.
Palm won't turn on in the morning. Not at all. I had to do a hard restart.
HD on the work iMac won't mount. I think it's fried.
Now my iPod connects fine.
CD finally ejects out of computer fine. A few seconds later I find a paperclip (ironic).
Student's midterm didn't upload to WebCT. I saw the student do it. Student failed to have a copy of the midterm as instructed.
Another site person has moved forward with technology without approval again.
The iPod starts making clicking noises.
My OPTICAL mouse cursor was sticking (like a mouse with a dirty roller / ball) ... But there is NO roller! ... and yes, it was on an "optically viable" surface. No explanation.
The iPod mounts irratically.
My brand new Palm will not turn on at all. It's fully charged and the reset button will not even bring it up.

GPS The Movie???

Geocaching in the media becoming “mainstream”?

I was just sent this tip from one of our podcacher.com listeners (Borten): GPS The Movie

Several months ago, geocaching was apparently part of a story in the TV show “Law and Order”. I didn’t actually see the episode, but I have heard that the show did a poor job of representing our “sport” by having the cache container actually buried. (Caching veterans know that this is a no-no and goes against the rules).

I realize that Geocaching is a growing sport and may not have yet reached the kind of critical-mass-awareness to consider it mainstream just yet. I often wonder what “outsiders” (or muggles as we cachers sometimes call them) think of this arguably odd hobby?

I’m sure many of you have had the same experience: At some point you are talking to someone and the topic (Geocaching) comes up. They are curious (or you just want to share) and you try and figure out a way to explain it. At first they give you a polite smile and nod their head: you realize they still don’t get it. So you try to use metaphors and examples. Some of them may become intrigued enough to try it, and ONLY then do they really “get it”. Has this happened to you?

I took a peek at the movie trailer and it seems as though they are trying to sell it as a suspense thriller. From what I gather from the clip, there is some kind of crime committed and people are going to get hurt. … Great, just what our hobby needs … bad press about “weirdos” going through the woods on a hunt with the threat of danger, death and scary music ever present. I realize they are in the business of selling movie tickets and that a movie about a wholesome family with kids going out to interact with each other, excercise and enjoy the outdoors may not be a big seller, but … come on!

What do you think about this? Is this the kind of image we want to present about our community?

SD CUE

I had a great time at the most recent SD CUE Fair (San Diego, Computer Using Educators). The cost is reasonable, it's local (no long drives or hotel), they have great local speakers, but most importantly it gives me a chance to connect with some of the most innovative, creative and energetic tech using educators from around the county.

I had a chance to chat with some old friends as well as make some new contacts this time around. In particular, I'm excited about some possibilities surrounding podcasting, blogging, and geocahcing (as they relate to education). I'll keep ya posted!

I also had a chance to sit in on some great sessions. I'm amazed at how often I can get a few "golden nuggets" from any session, even those subjects that I know a thing or two about! I'm always learning how much I don't know, and sharing what I do with others who may have not known what I know ... Did that make sense?! Anyhow, very groovy!

One of the tidbits that I picked up was a site called Bloglines. Essentially it's a service where you can store RSS feeds (such as blogs) to organize and help you read them in a "one stop" way.

Geocaching in Education

Here's a story of how one teacher is using Geocaching in Education! Story

I think this is great! Geocaching can involve a lot more than just “following the arrow to the tupperware”. Although Sandy and I like the cache-and-dash / drive-up style caches that let you quickly boost up your total-find scores, we really enjoy puzzle caches that challenge you in more ways than one.

I truly believe if you can “engage” your students, you’re gonna get them to learn. Geocaching can be a very engaging experience, it has very tangible and definable goals. In addition to getting kids off their GameCube-Butts (don’t get me wrong I’m an xBox owner myself!) and getting excercise, I believe it fosters socialization (funny how you often end up talking and getting to know the people you cache with!) and helps develop puzzle-solving skills.

SD CUE and the Weekend

Upcoming this weekend is the annual San Diego CUE (Computer Using Educators) conference. This is a great resource for teachers who use (or are thinking of using) technology in their classrooms. I've always found that these "mini-conferences" are great ways for local teachers to see, learn and be exposed to ways that technology is being using in classrooms in San Diego.

Here is a link: http://www.sdcue.org/

This is going to be a somewhat busy weekend. Friday night is the Kazakhstan get together for a bunch of us who have been out there. From what I understand there will even be some people from Kazakhstan visiting out here who will also be there! Cool. We are to bring some type of dessert dish. I suggested to Sandy that we should bring something called "eyeball suprise". She was not amused.

I just found an article that is one link between education and podcasting. Cool!

http://tinyurl.com/d84uq

Anniversary in Idyllwild

Just got back from our anniversary weekend up in Idyllwild. That was my first time there. A nice little small mountain town. It was a great get-away, very relaxing. I was actually able to sit and play the uke for a bit too! I had the time to really play and focus. I'm amazed at the depth of that little instrument. Most people think of the Ukulele as a whimsical "toy", but if played well it can be an amazing instrument. Check out music by an artist called Jake Shimabukuro for an example of awesome Uke playing!

Here's a pic that I shot of the local mountains near sunset.

It was nice to get away from the "heavy" tech use for a couple days. I say heavy because there was still a small amount of electronically driven things we had with us. My iPod and a set of small portable speakers is always good for some background music. I carried around the DSLR and had some interesting conversation with some local shop owners about photography and art because of that. We did bring a laptop and watched one episode of TNG one evening.

When we got back home (Jake still has his cathoder and head cone on), Sandy and I recorded show #21: The geocaching proposal story part 2. We haven't gotten a lot of response from our recent shows and it makes me wonder if anyone is listening to us anymore. Sandy and I came up with this idea that's related to geocaching, but we'll have to see if we can make it happen.