I took a picture I liked, cropped it, and then faded the color, and used the antique feature a bit. This is from yesterday's day trip to Wilder Ranch near Santa Cruz.
I actually took this yesterday, but I am using it for today's 365 because I took so many good ones yesterday, and I really like how this came out once I started messing with it. The original was nice too, of course.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Fun on Fern Grotto Beach
Today, Cameron and I drove over to Wilder Ranch and hiked out to the Fern Grotto Beach. Cameron's favorite part of the day was just playing on the beach. He was great on the hike out and back too. This one really captures the essence of his enjoyment of running around in the sand, staying away from the surf as it roared and rolled in.
There's a whole set (134 pictures) from the trip on my Flickr site.
There's a whole set (134 pictures) from the trip on my Flickr site.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Colonial Day
Most of my pictures from our 5th Grade's Colonial Day show students' faces, so I can't really share them here. But this one partly captures the essence of all the kids and a bunch of staff all dressed up. Here, they're listening to our music teacher and media specialist discuss the use of music and instruments during Colonial times. Meanwhile, the librarian brewed and served tea.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Boys Playing Football
Before work today, I went out into the playground to find some photography subjects. Most of the pictures I attempted really did not turn out well at all. But this one was kind of fun.
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
No Sudden Moves
I am still feeling pretty rough, with lots of dry coughing and the aching that comes as a result. We were messing around with Hipstamatic, and of course, Cameron moved. But I still like this shot best of all the ones we got.
Tuesday, February 08, 2011
Monday, February 07, 2011
The Best I Could Manage
I stayed home sick from work today, and my son stayed home from school as well. I feel awful. This Hipstamatic self-portrait kind of says it all, really.
Sunday, February 06, 2011
San Jose Sunset
I love this one. So much so, in fact, that I am borrowing it for today's 365. I'm sick and went to bed shortly after getting home from church. Been up a few hours, and now I am going to bed again VERY soon. I promise to take my camera out again tomorrow. Even if I am home sick from work!
Saturday, February 05, 2011
Considering a Climb
I took Cameron down the street to our little neighborhood park today. The weather was simply amazing, and I HAD to get out and take some pictures. Most of them have a little too much goofy in them. But I like how this one came out. He was determined to climb this tree. It didn't happen.
Friday, February 04, 2011
Spotted on my Walk
I was heading out to my car for lunch and I really liked the way these flowers stood out. Tried to get a good angle to capture their beauty.
Thursday, February 03, 2011
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
Repetitive Railing
This is alongside the ramp that leads up to our school's cafeteria, as seen from the library below. It just looks cool.
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Late Night Laptop
Hubby did not know he was my subject. I had to get a few snaps in because my day was so wildly busy I never even took my camera out. Now I am shattered and just need to get to bed!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Working Through My To-Do List
Wow! Today has been a day and a half! I think I am still recovering from the wild and crazy Macworld weekend, plus I had my first and second graders today, and they always take a lot out of me.
But once I was done at work, I still had a LOT to get done.
Got my application in for Apple Distinguished Educator (fingers crossed!), stopped by the Scout Store, had dinner with my boys, did the grocery shopping, got a birthday card for my girlfriend, set up online access to my HSA account, and refilled a prescription. Now I just need to get those two blog posts uploaded that have been sitting in my files for weeks.
Mondays kind of hit me hard lately.
But once I was done at work, I still had a LOT to get done.
Got my application in for Apple Distinguished Educator (fingers crossed!), stopped by the Scout Store, had dinner with my boys, did the grocery shopping, got a birthday card for my girlfriend, set up online access to my HSA account, and refilled a prescription. Now I just need to get those two blog posts uploaded that have been sitting in my files for weeks.
Mondays kind of hit me hard lately.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Hit the Bricks, Pal!
Full disclosure: this is actually from yesterday, but as days go, it had at LEAST two days worth of awesome packed into 24 short hours. So much so that I spent much of today in bed recovering. (I think I am getting a cold or something.)
Kyle did not know I was taking this picture during the Twitter Chorus at Macworld. Chris Bell and Carol Anne McGuire were talking about how to use Twitter as an educational technology tool, and they were just discussing blocking users when I saw Kyle holding his hand in this way while he worked away on something else.
Kyle did not know I was taking this picture during the Twitter Chorus at Macworld. Chris Bell and Carol Anne McGuire were talking about how to use Twitter as an educational technology tool, and they were just discussing blocking users when I saw Kyle holding his hand in this way while he worked away on something else.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Thank Goodness There Was a Sign
While at Macworld today, at Moscone West for the big CUE all-day event, I stepped away briefly to use the restroom. On my way, I passed this.
Thank goodness there was a sign, so I did not mistake these for some kind of wall-mounted bidets. The best part? Someone I know came along (also to use the ladies' room) while I was taking this picture with my iPhone and curiously inquired as to what I was doing.
Thank goodness there was a sign, so I did not mistake these for some kind of wall-mounted bidets. The best part? Someone I know came along (also to use the ladies' room) while I was taking this picture with my iPhone and curiously inquired as to what I was doing.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Don't Try This At Home
As I approached work this morning, the fog got really thick as we got close to school. I may or may not have taken this with my iPhone while driving. If confronted, I'll deny everything.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Blue Skies and Blue Eyes
This is my son before school this morning. He was clowning around on the playground with my husband when we got this silly shot.
Cameron also got to hold the American flag for this morning's first and second grade flag salutes.
Cameron also got to hold the American flag for this morning's first and second grade flag salutes.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
I Fear Things May Be Getting Out of Hand
It occurred to me as we had to repeatedly school our son on what we meant when we said "here, bring me that remote" that perhaps it wasn't really his fault that he never brought the correct one the first time around.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Spike the Mic
I was sitting at my desk at work today, admiring the hair on one of my 8th graders, and I realized it would look funny on top of the Snowball microphone already sitting out on my desk. A little creative angling and he didn't even notice until I showed him how the pics came out.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Food Pyramid Fun
Here's one of my students, a second grader, searching for more clip art of food items to fill her food pyramid nutrition guide. Later, the students will type a paragraph about what the food pyramid is and how it helps us.
One thing I really like about this project is that it is one of the first in which my second graders start demonstrating some independence while repeating a series of steps to identify and locate clip art they need, insert it, change the wrapping and size, and put it into the correct part of the template diagram. After this project, they really show more confidence with a lot of what we do in the lab. It's probably at just the right time in the school year too.
One thing I really like about this project is that it is one of the first in which my second graders start demonstrating some independence while repeating a series of steps to identify and locate clip art they need, insert it, change the wrapping and size, and put it into the correct part of the template diagram. After this project, they really show more confidence with a lot of what we do in the lab. It's probably at just the right time in the school year too.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
On the Phone with Nanny
My son was at work with me today, so we called my mother. He chatted away, quite the thing, and I can tell she's really noticing how much he's growing up. He just turned seven on Monday. We're in California, and she is in New Jersey, so we don't get to see each other much. But we always phone on Sundays.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Scouting Pow Wow
I spent my entire Saturday at the University of Scouting, as I am a Cub Scout leader. When I was taking some pictures (with my iPhone) of the teepee, this young man was kind enough to stop to pose. He was one of a number of young people decked out in Native American regalia as part of today's education/celebration.
One of the things I learned early in the day yesterday is that our brand-new, very small Pack (14 boys, grades 1-3) is barely a fledgling Scouting unit. There are so many huge Packs with multiple Dens at each level (Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos I, Webelos II). I started to feel really isolated and discouraged. I heard about Pack Committees that consisted of a number of people, whereas I alone AM our Pack Committee right now. I heard about Cubmasters of Packs so large they did not know all the boys' names, Assistant Cubmasters, Den Leaders, Assistant Den Leaders.
We have nothing like this kind of structure. The afternoon went a little better for me and I got some real positives out of all six sessions I attended throughout the day. I came away from the entire experience feeling that I need to help each adult in our Pack find his or her special role. And EVERYONE gets a job. Now, after some work I need to get done for another responsibility of mine, I just need to make a list of adults and jobs and help each one find the perfect fit.
One of the things I learned early in the day yesterday is that our brand-new, very small Pack (14 boys, grades 1-3) is barely a fledgling Scouting unit. There are so many huge Packs with multiple Dens at each level (Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos I, Webelos II). I started to feel really isolated and discouraged. I heard about Pack Committees that consisted of a number of people, whereas I alone AM our Pack Committee right now. I heard about Cubmasters of Packs so large they did not know all the boys' names, Assistant Cubmasters, Den Leaders, Assistant Den Leaders.
We have nothing like this kind of structure. The afternoon went a little better for me and I got some real positives out of all six sessions I attended throughout the day. I came away from the entire experience feeling that I need to help each adult in our Pack find his or her special role. And EVERYONE gets a job. Now, after some work I need to get done for another responsibility of mine, I just need to make a list of adults and jobs and help each one find the perfect fit.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Where All the Cool Kids Hang Out
I was working on testing the EyeFi card in my camera on the school network. Could not help but notice how hard our staff works to keep everyone healthy. This is next to where kids enter and exit the mini-lab of computers in our school library. Note the future president seen hanging out in a library in the picture....
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Nonchalant
They didn't know I was taking this picture. Cameron was up out of his chair and Alec was about to say something like "what are you doing?". we had just finished dinner at Pasta Pomodoro. This isn't just today's Project 365 photo because it's the only one I took today, I also like it a lot.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Fire in the Sky
I had only JUST uploaded yesterday's 365 pic before leaving work, so I took my camera out as I left to head home, and just started snapping pictures. The sun was close to setting, and my new camera was having trouble showing me what this would look like on its little screen.
This was the best of the pictures from the set I took on my walk out to the parking lot. I love the intensity of the orange.
This was the best of the pictures from the set I took on my walk out to the parking lot. I love the intensity of the orange.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
The Other Side of His Sign Says "Single?"
My friend Ken and I were heading from La Jolla over to the airport so he could drop me off for my flight home. This cheerful chap stood on the corner with a sign that just said "SMILE" and in one part of the E it said "VET."
I don't know if he's homeless and looking for money or just a really happy dude. But when I looked out and smiled at him, he flipped the sign over, revealing the word "SINGLE?" I had to laugh.
The light changed, and Ken was like, "Can I drive yet?" because he knew I was taking this picture.
So, thanks Ken!
I don't know if he's homeless and looking for money or just a really happy dude. But when I looked out and smiled at him, he flipped the sign over, revealing the word "SINGLE?" I had to laugh.
The light changed, and Ken was like, "Can I drive yet?" because he knew I was taking this picture.
So, thanks Ken!
Monday, January 17, 2011
Happy Birthday, Little Man!
Today, my son turned seven. We met friends for lunch at In-N-Out Burger, and they had gotten him this huge balloon, which was so nice of them.
Today I took pictures of our family bowling, lunch at the burger joint, sunset over the mountains from the airport, and my suite and the entire hotel in La Jolla, San Diego. I've flown hundreds of miles and taken 49 pictures. This one came out the best and has the most meaning for me.
Today I took pictures of our family bowling, lunch at the burger joint, sunset over the mountains from the airport, and my suite and the entire hotel in La Jolla, San Diego. I've flown hundreds of miles and taken 49 pictures. This one came out the best and has the most meaning for me.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Energy Burst
I went for a walk with my husband and son after the conference I attended in Monterey. My goal was to take LOTS of pictures so I would have plenty to choose from for today's 365. I ended up really liking the colors and water droplets in this picture.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Sardine Factory Atrium
I had dinner with some friends at the Sardine Factory last night. I took a bunch of pictures earlier today, but none of them really came close to how much I like this one. I took this from the spot where I sat for dinner. Meal was great, company was great. Tried new foods and made new friends.
Mesh and Lace
I was driving around, trying to find the Monterey Peninsula Airport, and I took a wrong turn. I found an adorable church I decided to stop and photograph, since I was early, and my friend's flight was delayed. When I got out of my car, I saw HUNDREDS of spider webs. They reminded me of terraced flats or something. Here's a shot I got of the detail of one of the "meshy-er" webs. The mist in the morning was perfect for bringing these masterpieces to light.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Lamentations 3:23
A former student whose mother works in our school's business office is now all grown up and she's an artist. When we came back from Christmas Break, our staff restrooms in the main building of the school had been painted. This extra gift in the ladies' room shows off some of Becca's talents. The details on the roses and thorns are lovely.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Workspace
My husband and I just bought an Executive (with a capital E) office chair. He uses it during the day when I am at work (he's self-employed and does some of his work from home), and I use it once I get home. The dining room table, which resides in our living room (long story) has a special place at the end of it where the new chair stays and I sit with my laptop in the evenings now.
It's better all around than lying on the couch with the laptop literally in my lap, looking upwards at the screen, right? Tonight I am working on getting EyeFi cards working with my new Canon SD1300IS. (Hubby has the blue one, and my brown one arrived today!) So this has been my view this evening.
So I need to get back to setting up and experimenting with the EyeFi cards. This was a quick, fun diversion.
It's better all around than lying on the couch with the laptop literally in my lap, looking upwards at the screen, right? Tonight I am working on getting EyeFi cards working with my new Canon SD1300IS. (Hubby has the blue one, and my brown one arrived today!) So this has been my view this evening.
So I need to get back to setting up and experimenting with the EyeFi cards. This was a quick, fun diversion.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
African Masks
You know, a project like this 365 thing is just the thing to open my eyes to some of the fantastic things happening around my school. Last week, I had third graders jumping rope. This week, seventh grade history projects.
These are just some of the African-style masks made by our seventh graders during their World History study of Medieval Africa. Their history teacher has a number of fantastically creative projects that tie into the cultures and civilizations they study with her. They also make Adinkra cloth designs and Samurai helmets, among other things.
I went and took a bunch of pictures of the masks hanging in the hallway near her room, and I liked the composition of this shot best.
These are just some of the African-style masks made by our seventh graders during their World History study of Medieval Africa. Their history teacher has a number of fantastically creative projects that tie into the cultures and civilizations they study with her. They also make Adinkra cloth designs and Samurai helmets, among other things.
I went and took a bunch of pictures of the masks hanging in the hallway near her room, and I liked the composition of this shot best.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Yuletide's Last Hurrah
At the risk of having my next-door neighbors think I am stalking them, today's shot also comes from their doorstep. What can I say? It's pretty classy over there!
Their wreath is still looking fantastic, but it's on the ground next to the door right now. I cropped a shot I took, then boosted the color a bit and blurred the edges in, all using iPhoto.
Today was a bit crazy, but yesterday I took a number of shots I liked, and even a few I was proud of once I edited them a little. This was one of those.
I love Christmas. I love the music, the decor, the holiday spirit. But most of all, I love its true meaning, what it stands for, and the message of hope it brings. We live in a world that can sometimes feel completely devoid of hope. Now that my son is approaching seven, I don't know how many more years of magical Christmas seasons we'll get. But this one was wonderful for him, and for us by extension.
For my neighbors, in front of whose house I took yesterday's and today's Project 365 shots, this was their first Christmas with their baby boy. I am so happy for them. I remember that joy. Our son's first Christmas was less than a month before he turned one. We spent it in Britain. He doesn't remember it, of course. All that travel made it a little hectic. This year, we stayed home. It was quiet. We have no family nearby. And it was still okay.
So, even though there's a lot going on between now and next November (when I start celebrating and breaking out the Christmas music), I'll hold on tightly to that little remnant of Christmas spirit for as long as I can.
Their wreath is still looking fantastic, but it's on the ground next to the door right now. I cropped a shot I took, then boosted the color a bit and blurred the edges in, all using iPhoto.
Today was a bit crazy, but yesterday I took a number of shots I liked, and even a few I was proud of once I edited them a little. This was one of those.
I love Christmas. I love the music, the decor, the holiday spirit. But most of all, I love its true meaning, what it stands for, and the message of hope it brings. We live in a world that can sometimes feel completely devoid of hope. Now that my son is approaching seven, I don't know how many more years of magical Christmas seasons we'll get. But this one was wonderful for him, and for us by extension.
For my neighbors, in front of whose house I took yesterday's and today's Project 365 shots, this was their first Christmas with their baby boy. I am so happy for them. I remember that joy. Our son's first Christmas was less than a month before he turned one. We spent it in Britain. He doesn't remember it, of course. All that travel made it a little hectic. This year, we stayed home. It was quiet. We have no family nearby. And it was still okay.
So, even though there's a lot going on between now and next November (when I start celebrating and breaking out the Christmas music), I'll hold on tightly to that little remnant of Christmas spirit for as long as I can.
Sunday, January 09, 2011
Pots Aplenty
Before church this morning, my son and I went to get the office chair for my husband and I that we got $80 cheaper than if we had bought it yesterday when we were at OfficeMax getting some other stuff at 20% off. So after church and lunch with friends, we brought the chair home and hubby got home from work shortly thereafter.
Then it would be chair building time. Cameron was anxious to help Daddy, so I knew a task that would normally take half an hour could expand to an hour or more. For the sake of my blood pressure as an innocent bystander, I grabbed hubby's new camera and went for a walk around the neighborhood.
I took a number of pictures I like, but as I headed home I spotted some things right next door on my neighbors' steps. I took a couple of pictures of these flowers pots because I really liked their arrangement. Then, in iPhoto, I boosted the colors just a bit to make this richer.
It ended up being my best shot of the set, but a few others may make appearances in the coming week depending on how busy things get around here.
Then it would be chair building time. Cameron was anxious to help Daddy, so I knew a task that would normally take half an hour could expand to an hour or more. For the sake of my blood pressure as an innocent bystander, I grabbed hubby's new camera and went for a walk around the neighborhood.
I took a number of pictures I like, but as I headed home I spotted some things right next door on my neighbors' steps. I took a couple of pictures of these flowers pots because I really liked their arrangement. Then, in iPhoto, I boosted the colors just a bit to make this richer.
It ended up being my best shot of the set, but a few others may make appearances in the coming week depending on how busy things get around here.
Saturday, January 08, 2011
Memories Captured
Been a bit busy today and forgot to take many pictures. But we've been working at preserving our memories lately. I found this picture of my mother and father and moved it into this frame I had gotten as a gift at some point. In the background is a multi-frame my husband's been filling with shots from our recent trips.
The picture of my parents was from a place they stopped on one of their last drives to and from California to visit us. They visited after, but only via airplane from New Jersey. My father loved driving cross-country, but as they got closer to their 70s, we convinced them that flying was safer, quicker, and easier.
Today I spoke to a neighbor about his recent loss of his mother. It brought up a lot of feelings about losing my Dad (March 28, 2008). My neighbor's mother was diagnosed with cancer in mid-November, and it destroyed her body VERY fast. She died on December 22. With my father, we had no warning (as little time as six weeks is, granted), but we also did not have to watch him deteriorate like that.
Losing a parent, even though you know that's the natural order of things, is never easy, and it's not something you ever really get over. I feel so much for my neighbors. They've had a rough year or so with losing both their dogs since November 2009 and now this crushing blow. They've been together 20 years, so she was a mother to both of them. I just keep thinking of both of them as they face some big changes ahead and try to find a way to cope.
The picture of my parents was from a place they stopped on one of their last drives to and from California to visit us. They visited after, but only via airplane from New Jersey. My father loved driving cross-country, but as they got closer to their 70s, we convinced them that flying was safer, quicker, and easier.
Today I spoke to a neighbor about his recent loss of his mother. It brought up a lot of feelings about losing my Dad (March 28, 2008). My neighbor's mother was diagnosed with cancer in mid-November, and it destroyed her body VERY fast. She died on December 22. With my father, we had no warning (as little time as six weeks is, granted), but we also did not have to watch him deteriorate like that.
Losing a parent, even though you know that's the natural order of things, is never easy, and it's not something you ever really get over. I feel so much for my neighbors. They've had a rough year or so with losing both their dogs since November 2009 and now this crushing blow. They've been together 20 years, so she was a mother to both of them. I just keep thinking of both of them as they face some big changes ahead and try to find a way to cope.
Hey Dad, Look at THIS
This is actually from a week or two ago, when we were staying in a hotel in San Diego between Christmas and New Year. I was out sick from work yesterday and did not get a chance to take any pics or sit down and upload something. So this is going to be my pic for January 7, 2011.
What I loved about this was that it really embodies so much of what we enjoyed about our time spent in the hotel room. We faced Coronado Island and a wonderful view of the harbor. My son spent a lot of time looking through binoculars at the water and boats. We had two pairs of binoculars, so sometimes both he and my husband stood gazing out at the sailboats and occasional Navy vessels.
What I loved about this was that it really embodies so much of what we enjoyed about our time spent in the hotel room. We faced Coronado Island and a wonderful view of the harbor. My son spent a lot of time looking through binoculars at the water and boats. We had two pairs of binoculars, so sometimes both he and my husband stood gazing out at the sailboats and occasional Navy vessels.
Thursday, January 06, 2011
Airborne
Okay, so I actually took this yesterday. I work at a school, and the two PE teachers had to leave early for basketball games they were coaching. I covered the last fifteen minutes of a third grade class while they were jumping rope. I took dozens of pictures, and managed to get a handful with kids mid-flight, as it were, which I cropped to give to the teachers and our yearbook advisor.
I liked the spirit of this one a lot, and the fact that you can't tell who the kids are unless you know them, due to the light and shadow. Plus, the boy who is so high off the ground had been whining to me earlier about how many turns each kid was getting. So I was glad to see him joyful instead.
I liked the spirit of this one a lot, and the fact that you can't tell who the kids are unless you know them, due to the light and shadow. Plus, the boy who is so high off the ground had been whining to me earlier about how many turns each kid was getting. So I was glad to see him joyful instead.
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
Lunchtime Stroll
I went for a walk today during lunchtime. I needed to mail off my passport renewal, and I also needed to release two travel bugs (it's a geocaching thing) I've been holding onto for too long. I ended up going in search of two geocaches, and as I walked along some retention ponds, I found a great spot to sneak up on the waterfowl. You can't tell, but I took this picture through an intricate spider web.
I was kicking myself multiple times for not bringing a camera out with me. The weather was perfect: a tad chilly, but sunny and fresh. I was also using my iPhone to look up information about the geocaches I was seeking, so it was a bit cumbersome to keep switching back and forth between the geocaching app and Hipstamatic or my iPhone's default camera feature.
I think my new resolution, then, is to take a camera with me EVERYWHERE. All the more reason to pick up a little Canon SD1300 IS for myself now too.
I was kicking myself multiple times for not bringing a camera out with me. The weather was perfect: a tad chilly, but sunny and fresh. I was also using my iPhone to look up information about the geocaches I was seeking, so it was a bit cumbersome to keep switching back and forth between the geocaching app and Hipstamatic or my iPhone's default camera feature.
I think my new resolution, then, is to take a camera with me EVERYWHERE. All the more reason to pick up a little Canon SD1300 IS for myself now too.
Tuesday, January 04, 2011
Dining Al Fresco
The picture's description pretty much tells it all:
I went out to my car to get some money -- no, I do NOT keep cash in my car, so don't break in to it! -- and I saw my co-worker's pickup truck parked next to my vehicle. With an entire dining room set in the bed. Now, he and his wife DID recently buy a house, and I am sure there's a great, simple, boring story behind this. But he's also from Nebraska, so I call him Cornfed and give him a hard time about being kind of a redneck. Former Marine and all that.
The subtitle for this picture would have to be "Now, you just might be a redneck..."
In other news, I am telling my 7th and 8th grade students about Project 365 today and encouraging them to try it. Let's see how that goes. A bunch of them have seen my soda can and beer bottle picture already. Oh, good.
I went out to my car to get some money -- no, I do NOT keep cash in my car, so don't break in to it! -- and I saw my co-worker's pickup truck parked next to my vehicle. With an entire dining room set in the bed. Now, he and his wife DID recently buy a house, and I am sure there's a great, simple, boring story behind this. But he's also from Nebraska, so I call him Cornfed and give him a hard time about being kind of a redneck. Former Marine and all that.
The subtitle for this picture would have to be "Now, you just might be a redneck..."
In other news, I am telling my 7th and 8th grade students about Project 365 today and encouraging them to try it. Let's see how that goes. A bunch of them have seen my soda can and beer bottle picture already. Oh, good.
Monday, January 03, 2011
Back to School
I'm already worried about this 365 Project. I am beginning to realize how many days I don't actually take any pictures. And also how much time I spend each work day cooped up in my computer lab at work.
So I think I am going to need to start going on little walkies during my off periods.
So I think I am going to need to start going on little walkies during my off periods.
Sunday, January 02, 2011
New Year's Diet Elixirs
So I still had $130.75 left on Target gift cards (thanks, kids!) and I decided to buy my husband a new camera. He has our first digital camera we bought just under seven years ago, shortly after our son was born. Sadly, I dropped it a few years ago. So, while it DOES take really good pictures, the screen is jacked AND the on/off situation is sketchy at best.
We picked up a soft-sided case, an 8GB SDHC card, and also a new case for his iPhone -- since that broke last week too.
Battery finally charged, so while we're both laughing away to Kathleen Madigan -- recorded on DVR when we realized her language is a tad too blue for our first grader to overhear -- I just took a few quick snaps with it. This is the only one I really liked.
But I plan to try the camera some more this week, and Alec will too, of course. So I should be able to post some more from the new camera as well as my own and my iPhone too.
Soon.
We picked up a soft-sided case, an 8GB SDHC card, and also a new case for his iPhone -- since that broke last week too.
Battery finally charged, so while we're both laughing away to Kathleen Madigan -- recorded on DVR when we realized her language is a tad too blue for our first grader to overhear -- I just took a few quick snaps with it. This is the only one I really liked.
But I plan to try the camera some more this week, and Alec will too, of course. So I should be able to post some more from the new camera as well as my own and my iPhone too.
Soon.
Saturday, January 01, 2011
Neighborhood Walk
I decided today, pretty much on a whim, to do a Project 365 for 2011. I don't know what I am thinking; I am already really busy. I took a bunch of pictures today trying to capture what today ended up being about: taking down our Christmas tree and moving into the New Year. I ended up liking this somewhat random shot up the sidewalk from in front of my house more than anything else I captured today.
But I also downloaded the Hipstamatic app for my iPhone, so there may be some more interesting stuff on the way soon.
But I also downloaded the Hipstamatic app for my iPhone, so there may be some more interesting stuff on the way soon.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
My Review of Garmin eTrex Venture HC GPS Receiver
With a new high-sensitivity chipset, the Garmin Venture HC GPS receiver helps you get off the beaten path without losing your signal.
Great GPS to use with young folks
Dowbiggin San Jose, CA 3/28/2009
Gift: No
Pros: Accurate, Reliable Reception, Large Screen, Intuitive Menu
Best Uses: Geocaching, Hiking
Describe Yourself: Enthusiast
How are you with directions: Great w/Directions
I bought twenty of these to use with students in grades four and up. The kids learn how to use them super-quick, and they navigate the menus with no trouble at all within minutes. Many adults take a bit longer, but once they get the hang of it, they're "in." I find that it did not take long to set the units up to have the menus and pages I wanted. A few times the kids went in and changed things (it's THAT easy to do) before I got a chance to tell them not to do so.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Video for Instruction: PHOTOgraphy FUNdamentals
For my EDTEC 572 class, I needed to make a video from stills, music, and text. I decided to create something I can use with my 7th graders, based on a new project I did with them this past year. I even used some of their work in the video.
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Need opinions for my next podcast
I think the topic of my next podcast episode (What Your Child's Teacher Wants You to Know About Your Kid) is going to be on the topic of computers and the Internet in children's bedrooms.
I want to know YOUR opinion about this. When you comment, please let me know if you are a teacher, parent, (or both or neither), or a student. Telling me your age helps if you are under 40. No one under 40 should ever have to speak their age aloud. (Haha, just kidding!)
Here's my question: Should a child have Internet access in his or her bedroom? Does a child need his or her own computer? At what age should this privilege begin? How do you handle this in your family?
I want to know YOUR opinion about this. When you comment, please let me know if you are a teacher, parent, (or both or neither), or a student. Telling me your age helps if you are under 40. No one under 40 should ever have to speak their age aloud. (Haha, just kidding!)
Here's my question: Should a child have Internet access in his or her bedroom? Does a child need his or her own computer? At what age should this privilege begin? How do you handle this in your family?
Sunday, March 01, 2009
WYCTWYTKAYK Podcast
So I decided to go ahead and start creating a podcast. I sure hope I have the time and energy to stick with it.
The title of the podcast is "What Your Child's Teacher Wants You to Know About Your Kid" and the first episode is online. It's about the book Mindset by Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D.
My Podcast Alley feed! {pca-8740262dbfabc07ade9a982a956b2875}
The title of the podcast is "What Your Child's Teacher Wants You to Know About Your Kid" and the first episode is online. It's about the book Mindset by Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D.
My Podcast Alley feed! {pca-8740262dbfabc07ade9a982a956b2875}
SwitchPod
Not sure which of these links is more reliable yet. I also submitted it to iTunes.
I'd love to know what people think.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Introduction to Geocaching
Been working on a group project with three guys from my grad school cohort. We have to speak for five to ten minutes on an emerging technology. Being the awesome geeks that we are, we chose geocaching. I decided to interview Cameron about his experiences. Four and a half minutes of video provided a minute and forty-five seconds of good stuff, plus a lead-in and a fade at the end that came out to exactly two minutes:
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Monday, February 09, 2009
Every Bloom Has Its Thorns?
So I decided I should hook my Flickr account up with my blog. And I think I can add more to this. I wonder if Picasa has a similar function.
Tonight I decided to pay another visit back to fd's Flickr Toys and make a mosaic from some macros I took this past weekend around my neighborhood. I ended up using some brand-new floral macros and a few I already had.
Would love to hear what people think of it.
(Turns out it would not let me "blog this" from Flickr after all.)
Saturday, February 07, 2009
My son can read!
Okay, well, he has been practicing these books with his Dad at night when it's bedtime. But he has learned the words and recognizes them when he sees them. But I also think he has these particular books memorized. He was willing to read for the camera, so we made a little video today. It's about nine and a half minutes.
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Haircuts and Five Generations
Tonight, I decided to make a video blog after Cameron had already gone to bed.
On a different note, I saw on the news tonight that a 36-year old man ran a red light and crashed into a minivan, injuring all the people inside and killing the youngest, a six year-old boy named Isaac Young. As it turns out, a 3rd grade teacher at my school is the mother of Isaac's kindergarten teacher. It sickens me enough when I learn of these things on the news. When it happens here in my city, I get a little scared. I remember that things like this do happen all the time to people when no one expects them to.
But then there's this tangential connection to people I know. That just shakes me to my core. My son turned five less than a month ago, and the thought of something like that happening to him makes me a little scared to ever let him out of my sight or out of the house.
On a different note, I saw on the news tonight that a 36-year old man ran a red light and crashed into a minivan, injuring all the people inside and killing the youngest, a six year-old boy named Isaac Young. As it turns out, a 3rd grade teacher at my school is the mother of Isaac's kindergarten teacher. It sickens me enough when I learn of these things on the news. When it happens here in my city, I get a little scared. I remember that things like this do happen all the time to people when no one expects them to.
But then there's this tangential connection to people I know. That just shakes me to my core. My son turned five less than a month ago, and the thought of something like that happening to him makes me a little scared to ever let him out of my sight or out of the house.
Monday, February 02, 2009
Video Blogging, entry 2
Today, Cameron wanted to talk about his future ambitions. But when the camera started rolling, he decided he wanted to talk about teeth instead.
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