"Even hardy Minnesotans buckled to the cold, calling off a Minneapolis holiday parade Sunday that is automatically canceled if the wind chill dips below minus 20."Here's more: Bitter, cold winds Makes you wonder: why would anyone go to Minnesota in the winter? Here's what the airport info shows: MSP. Well, I'll let you know what it's like soon...
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Monday, December 22, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
October
I'm getting ready to spend a couple of weeks in Minnesota, where I've heard the temperature got as low as 17 below. BRRRR! To get in the mood, I checked out my nephew's blog, THIS APARTMENT LIFE, and came across his posting on The Unspoken Dread of Minnesotans. In it, he posts a picture I like, and a piece by Eric Satie.
Well, what better way to get in the mood than to hear a little MP3. Here goes:
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Well, what better way to get in the mood than to hear a little MP3. Here goes:
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Monday, December 15, 2008
Clipmarks
One of the fun things about having a new computer is that I can customize it to my heart's content. I don't have to worry about size or space limitations. Right now, I seem to have all the power, landscaping, and building materials to "build" whatever kind of "house" I want here on the web. So, I've downloaded the Firefox browser, and added several tools to it, just as I had before. But now, however, I've been exploring what other tools might be useful. The one I came upon today was Clipmarks.
Clipmarks allow you to select portions of a page, for printing or emailing or even blogging. Here's a short video to show how it's done:
I haven't even begun to use it, but it sounds like such a great idea, I thought I'd pass it along immediately. I'll let you know what I think of it in a few...
Read more!
Clipmarks allow you to select portions of a page, for printing or emailing or even blogging. Here's a short video to show how it's done:
I haven't even begun to use it, but it sounds like such a great idea, I thought I'd pass it along immediately. I'll let you know what I think of it in a few...
Read more!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Dell XPS
My Sony Vaio has finally bit the dust. Actually, the hinges gave out (sounds like some people I know). So, for one who travels a lot, this is the kiss of death. On the last trip I was afraid to open or close it. Here at home, it collects dust, grit, and grime (?) from being open all the time. I should really be thankful for this opportunity to buy a new computer. The sound system was atrocious, I could not play DVDs (and hence could not add recent software), could not burn DVDs (and therefore could not transfer or make backups of photos) and, well, it just wasn't up to snuff.
A new computer buying opportunity raised for me, once again, the issue of Mac vs. PC. I have wanted to own a Mac for many years now, and I spent an exciting hour at Foothill College bookstore admiring the Mac. It is so beautiful, and it's a dream to operate. How could one not buy it?
The problem is two-fold: cash and investments. After deciding to take some more time to think things over, we went to Costco for some groceries. While there, I checked out their computers once again. The decision had already been made to buy a small, light-weight computer. I checked out what they had, and found the Dell XPS was priced at $1109 for 4 GB/320 GB, compared to the 13-inch Mac at $1500 for 250GB. If you include the cost of replacing my PC software (my investments), the Dell was probably $4000 cheaper in cash, and perhaps another $1000 in investment. Sigh. For that kind of money, I can go to Europe - and take my 4 lb "Mini" (as I've christened her).
When I went to look for a backpack, to carry my new computer, I found a beautiful sky blue Cadence bag by Kelty, makers of "outdoor tech for urban and on-the-trail pursuits". This, my friends, is my consolation prize, for giving up my dream of owning a Mac (at least for now) - a backpack, a Dell, and a trip to Spain or Scotland. Hope I've chosen well!
By the way, thanks again to cousin Kaarin who gave me the Sony so many years ago. Loaded with Adobe software (Dreamweaver, Flash, and Photoshop), she started me on this path of artistic pursuit. With the money I saved buying Dell, I can upgrade to CSS 4 (software I can share with our desktop). Looks like I'm all set for another quarter of classes! Now if I could just decide what I want to take...
Read more!
A new computer buying opportunity raised for me, once again, the issue of Mac vs. PC. I have wanted to own a Mac for many years now, and I spent an exciting hour at Foothill College bookstore admiring the Mac. It is so beautiful, and it's a dream to operate. How could one not buy it?
The problem is two-fold: cash and investments. After deciding to take some more time to think things over, we went to Costco for some groceries. While there, I checked out their computers once again. The decision had already been made to buy a small, light-weight computer. I checked out what they had, and found the Dell XPS was priced at $1109 for 4 GB/320 GB, compared to the 13-inch Mac at $1500 for 250GB. If you include the cost of replacing my PC software (my investments), the Dell was probably $4000 cheaper in cash, and perhaps another $1000 in investment. Sigh. For that kind of money, I can go to Europe - and take my 4 lb "Mini" (as I've christened her).
When I went to look for a backpack, to carry my new computer, I found a beautiful sky blue Cadence bag by Kelty, makers of "outdoor tech for urban and on-the-trail pursuits". This, my friends, is my consolation prize, for giving up my dream of owning a Mac (at least for now) - a backpack, a Dell, and a trip to Spain or Scotland. Hope I've chosen well!
By the way, thanks again to cousin Kaarin who gave me the Sony so many years ago. Loaded with Adobe software (Dreamweaver, Flash, and Photoshop), she started me on this path of artistic pursuit. With the money I saved buying Dell, I can upgrade to CSS 4 (software I can share with our desktop). Looks like I'm all set for another quarter of classes! Now if I could just decide what I want to take...
Read more!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Obama's Neighborhood
Here's another good use of Internet tools to highlight the background of our political figures. San Franciscan Robert Kay put up this website called Obama's Neighborhood. It too is about Hawaii. But the website explores Obama's world in Hawaii in far greater depth than does the tourist's view given of Obama's Hawaii.
In fact, there are views here of the actual homes his family lived in, the friends that are still close to him, and Google maps of where he wandered and what he did. I'm simply amazed at how much the Internet lets us learn about history, and about the various leaders of our communities. I feel so fortunate to be alive in this era of technological advancement and enhancement.
Trivia time: Did you know Barak was once known as Barry, and that his mother's first name was Stanley?
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In fact, there are views here of the actual homes his family lived in, the friends that are still close to him, and Google maps of where he wandered and what he did. I'm simply amazed at how much the Internet lets us learn about history, and about the various leaders of our communities. I feel so fortunate to be alive in this era of technological advancement and enhancement.
Trivia time: Did you know Barak was once known as Barry, and that his mother's first name was Stanley?
Read more!
Obama's Hawaii
Here's a great use of the blogsphere - Hawaii's Official Tourism site has a page on Obama's Hawaii. It's hard to remember that he was raised in Hawaii! With a father from Kenya, a mother from Kansas, and a step-father from Indonesia, Hawaii may not come to mind when we think of his roots. However, this website is right to claim fame for being a part of his formative past. It's a great way to highlight Hawaii, and provide more depth on a key individual of the 21st century. How's that for an impact by a blogger?
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Class Podcasts
Here are more podcasts I enjoyed that were done by COIN 63 classmates: Tyler celebrates his father's 60th birthday, and Vani talks about her visit home to her brother's wedding. Here's Hee-Sun reading an Emily Dickinson poem (with a great music background), Thanksgiving musings from Geri, and news from Mike.
And then there's Dawn. I don't think she's a current classmate, but her podcast is online with the rest of ours. In fact, she's even got an audio with slides. So, enjoy!
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And then there's Dawn. I don't think she's a current classmate, but her podcast is online with the rest of ours. In fact, she's even got an audio with slides. So, enjoy!
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Circus Libris: Books Begin Early
Here's a great podcast, from classmate Karen. In it, she reads a story, and a good one at that. Check it out!! Circus Libris: Books Begin Early
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English Version
I found an apropos English version of C'est Fini:
That's All, Folks! At least for now - but, I'll be back!
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That's All, Folks! At least for now - but, I'll be back!
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Tuesday, December 9, 2008
C'est Fini
Well, it's over! The fall quarter at Foothill has finished. I've posted all my homework, and I'm just waiting now for the results. WHEW!!
The thought that came to mind, as I breathed that sigh of relief, was "C'est Fini". Well, I thought, what does THAT mean? It sounds right, but... Naturally, I looked it up. The first reference that came up was to French gestures, a Google link that went to About.com. That didn't sound right, so I went to Ask, and Answers, and even chechked out Wikipedia, which surprisingly had nothing to say.
The most interesting information came from this article in Time Magazine, about the discovery of a song by that name in August, 1944. Written in 1941 by a Jewish man hunted by the Gestapo who fled Nice "to the Alpes-Maritimes to join a band of the Maquis", the article summarizes that "Its title reflected its composer's despair: C'est Fini (It Is Finished)." Bing Crosby later recorded an American version of the song that was quite different, and crooned about the symphony created by love.
Now THAT seems apropos (oops, another word I'd better look up). It's with a mixed bittersweet feeling that I end this class. There is so much more I want to learn! And, I am so less-than-satisfied with what I accomplished. Yet - it has been fun. I HAVE learned a lot, and I've met a few nice people (could it be you?) that I may continue to correspond or converse with. So, on that note, I will bid adieu, just as I ended my podcast (though it's barely audible).
I will make one more comment about blogging: Just writing this, I've learned more about myself, some of them things I never knew. And I've explored new territitory - learned about the Alpes-Maritimes, Bing Crosby, and French colloquialisms. For me, this is the true value of blogging - it's a learning tool par excellence. For years I wrote in a notebook, looking up words in a dictionary as I stumbled upon new ideas, and fleshed them out with implications. Today, as a blogger, this opportunity is greatly expanded, for I have many more resources within easy reach. Blogging, for me, is a mind-expanding "drug" of the highest order.
I will end with a toast to the 40th anniversary of the creation of the mouse. I may not be around for the 40th anniversary of blogging - but I'm glad I'm able to benefit from it today!
Read more!
The thought that came to mind, as I breathed that sigh of relief, was "C'est Fini". Well, I thought, what does THAT mean? It sounds right, but... Naturally, I looked it up. The first reference that came up was to French gestures, a Google link that went to About.com. That didn't sound right, so I went to Ask, and Answers, and even chechked out Wikipedia, which surprisingly had nothing to say.
The most interesting information came from this article in Time Magazine, about the discovery of a song by that name in August, 1944. Written in 1941 by a Jewish man hunted by the Gestapo who fled Nice "to the Alpes-Maritimes to join a band of the Maquis", the article summarizes that "Its title reflected its composer's despair: C'est Fini (It Is Finished)." Bing Crosby later recorded an American version of the song that was quite different, and crooned about the symphony created by love.
Now THAT seems apropos (oops, another word I'd better look up). It's with a mixed bittersweet feeling that I end this class. There is so much more I want to learn! And, I am so less-than-satisfied with what I accomplished. Yet - it has been fun. I HAVE learned a lot, and I've met a few nice people (could it be you?) that I may continue to correspond or converse with. So, on that note, I will bid adieu, just as I ended my podcast (though it's barely audible).
I will make one more comment about blogging: Just writing this, I've learned more about myself, some of them things I never knew. And I've explored new territitory - learned about the Alpes-Maritimes, Bing Crosby, and French colloquialisms. For me, this is the true value of blogging - it's a learning tool par excellence. For years I wrote in a notebook, looking up words in a dictionary as I stumbled upon new ideas, and fleshed them out with implications. Today, as a blogger, this opportunity is greatly expanded, for I have many more resources within easy reach. Blogging, for me, is a mind-expanding "drug" of the highest order.
I will end with a toast to the 40th anniversary of the creation of the mouse. I may not be around for the 40th anniversary of blogging - but I'm glad I'm able to benefit from it today!
Read more!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Blogging Review
This week's assignment included creating a podcast, and reviewing our blogging experience. Well, I've finished with the podcast - now I need to review my exploration into the world of blogs - in 15 minutes or less! Well, that's a tough assignment, and I really can't do it justice. So, I'll just settle for a few observations.
As much as I've blogged (I have 20 blogs!), I rarely get the full experience of being a blogger. I rarely share my blog postings, and few of my family or friends even know about my blogs. Nevertheless, the blogging experience is rewarding to me. It allows me to express myself in a way I have not found before. When an idea comes to mind, when an opinion forms, when an observation overwhelms me, I have an opportunity to DO something with it. I can post a picture, I can share my feelings, I can reach out to the world - if only here on "paper", or out there online.
Does it matter that no one reads what I write? No, I don't think so - I get the enjoyment and satisfaction I seek, without the public exposure that scares me. And I bet I'm not alone! In fact, I've been able to guide a few others into the blogging experience in this limited way. Not everyone is a public blogger, and there is a place for those of us who express ourselves online, but "privately".
What have I done differently through these class assignments? I've subscribed to other people's blogs, for the first time in my life. Most of them belong to family and friends - for that is my interest. But a few are designed to motivate me, or educate me, or entertain me. We'll soon see how rewarding this becomes. For now, it's enough to begin a new tack. Maybe someday I'll get up the nerve to interact with other unknown bloggers. But for now, this is enough. I am growing and exploring the world around me, and I continue to learn new technologies which enable me to create satisfying experiences. Isn't that what life is all about? No wonder millions, like me, have become bloggers. It has become a part of the way we lead our twenty-first-century lives. And I sure hope this satisfies our assignment requirements!
Read more!
As much as I've blogged (I have 20 blogs!), I rarely get the full experience of being a blogger. I rarely share my blog postings, and few of my family or friends even know about my blogs. Nevertheless, the blogging experience is rewarding to me. It allows me to express myself in a way I have not found before. When an idea comes to mind, when an opinion forms, when an observation overwhelms me, I have an opportunity to DO something with it. I can post a picture, I can share my feelings, I can reach out to the world - if only here on "paper", or out there online.
Does it matter that no one reads what I write? No, I don't think so - I get the enjoyment and satisfaction I seek, without the public exposure that scares me. And I bet I'm not alone! In fact, I've been able to guide a few others into the blogging experience in this limited way. Not everyone is a public blogger, and there is a place for those of us who express ourselves online, but "privately".
What have I done differently through these class assignments? I've subscribed to other people's blogs, for the first time in my life. Most of them belong to family and friends - for that is my interest. But a few are designed to motivate me, or educate me, or entertain me. We'll soon see how rewarding this becomes. For now, it's enough to begin a new tack. Maybe someday I'll get up the nerve to interact with other unknown bloggers. But for now, this is enough. I am growing and exploring the world around me, and I continue to learn new technologies which enable me to create satisfying experiences. Isn't that what life is all about? No wonder millions, like me, have become bloggers. It has become a part of the way we lead our twenty-first-century lives. And I sure hope this satisfies our assignment requirements!
Read more!
Lucky
Here goes - my First Public Podcast. What a STRUGGLE it has been to produce! The biggest problem is that I have had NO SOUND on my computer for a couple years. It drives me crazy. But, I've tried any number of times to try to figure out what the problem is, but nothing has worked. Well, today finally, we figured out how to set up a microphone just in time for me to manufacture my "first public podcast".Actually, I still can't hear anything out of my computer - unless I connect the microphone. But, that was just enough to enable me to create this greeting. Hopefully it won't also be my LAST public podcast!
The background music, by the way, is something called "Lucky", and I forget the group - I found the song in my computer's My Music folder, and I just liked the sound. Hope you like it also!
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The background music, by the way, is something called "Lucky", and I forget the group - I found the song in my computer's My Music folder, and I just liked the sound. Hope you like it also!
Read more!
Closed Captions
I came across a YouTube video today that has the options for turning on Closed Captions. WOW! That REALLY takes podcasting into a new era. It means that podcasting is no longer restricted to the hearing-enabled, but is also now within reach of the rest of us too.
Actually, I don't have a problem with hearing, but my mother does. So, I'm always on the lookout for new technologies that will enrich her life as her physical abilities wane.
Actually, there IS a sense in which I am not part of the "hearing-enabled" community. My computer's sound system doesn't work! It is SO frustrating not to be able to hear sound or music on this computer. I have to send a link to the email program we use downstairs, and then schedule time on it to be able to hear audio/video feeds. So, this capability for closed captions also fits MY needs too!
I might mention that the TOPIC of this broadcast was what other commentators remarked on - or should I say the speaker. It's an address by President-elect Barak Obama, and illustrates once again how he is using the new media to his (and our) advantage. Check it out!
How odd! When I checked the links in this post, the CC options are not there! Dang!! Well, let's see what happens when I embed it into this posting:
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Actually, I don't have a problem with hearing, but my mother does. So, I'm always on the lookout for new technologies that will enrich her life as her physical abilities wane.
Actually, there IS a sense in which I am not part of the "hearing-enabled" community. My computer's sound system doesn't work! It is SO frustrating not to be able to hear sound or music on this computer. I have to send a link to the email program we use downstairs, and then schedule time on it to be able to hear audio/video feeds. So, this capability for closed captions also fits MY needs too!
I might mention that the TOPIC of this broadcast was what other commentators remarked on - or should I say the speaker. It's an address by President-elect Barak Obama, and illustrates once again how he is using the new media to his (and our) advantage. Check it out!
How odd! When I checked the links in this post, the CC options are not there! Dang!! Well, let's see what happens when I embed it into this posting:
Read more!
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Expandable Posts
EUREKA! I think....I've just found a site that explains how to create the expandable posts for the new Blogger layout. I followed Blogger's instructions, but it doesn't work. Every post of mine ends up with a Read More section at the END of the posting. It never inserts itself where I put it in the actual posting. Here's and example:
Theoretically, by placing this sentence inside the span with the class name of "fullpost", it should show up only on the expanded post page. However, if you see it on my main page, that means the technique did not work! I've battled with this problem for many moons, and given up trying to solve it. However, I think I MAY have found the solution. I'll give it a try sometime soon, and let you know if it works. Meanwhile, I'd best get back to studying for our final exam!!!!
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Theoretically, by placing this sentence inside the span with the class name of "fullpost", it should show up only on the expanded post page. However, if you see it on my main page, that means the technique did not work! I've battled with this problem for many moons, and given up trying to solve it. However, I think I MAY have found the solution. I'll give it a try sometime soon, and let you know if it works. Meanwhile, I'd best get back to studying for our final exam!!!!
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Friday, December 5, 2008
Mortgage Blogger
Have you read about the mortgage blogger? Duris Dungey wrote for Calculated Risk under the pseudonym of Tanta. I've never read her work, but saw the notice of her death in the SF Chronicle on 12/3/08.
I don't know about you, but this is the first time I've read about someone described as a "blogger" in the obituaries. Does this mean blogging has "come of age"? Anyway, I'm going to do a Google search, and see what more I can find out about Tanta. Hope you do the same!
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I don't know about you, but this is the first time I've read about someone described as a "blogger" in the obituaries. Does this mean blogging has "come of age"? Anyway, I'm going to do a Google search, and see what more I can find out about Tanta. Hope you do the same!
Read more!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
PhoneBlogz 2 Go!
I've just signed up with a new service (new to me, that is), called PhoneBlogz. The idea is this: I can call a phone number and record a message (1/day for free, plus ads). That message will be stored at phoneblogz.com, and a link will be posted here on this website. Some websites will post the audio directly, but Blogger does not have a way or a place to store MP3 files, so this is the next-best thing.
I'm eager to see how this turns out! I've got a couple of motives for this experiment: 1) I have an assignment due for class, in which I have to post an audio message to my blog; and 2) I want to set up the possiblity for my father to post messages to HIS blog, so I want to see if this works. At 95, he "doesn't do computers". However, he DOES do phones! So, this is really an investment of time and no money to see if I can provide an opportunity for him to reach a wider audience. As a retired professor, he is lost without an audience! He reads 3 newspapers daily (more or less), and is full of ideas and opinions. What better outlet for them than a blog?
I'll keep you posted. Better yet, you should see the results here soon! If it works well, let me know. If it doesn't, that feedback is useful also!! Click on the word Comments below this posting, and add you opinion and ideas to my blog.
Read more!
I'm eager to see how this turns out! I've got a couple of motives for this experiment: 1) I have an assignment due for class, in which I have to post an audio message to my blog; and 2) I want to set up the possiblity for my father to post messages to HIS blog, so I want to see if this works. At 95, he "doesn't do computers". However, he DOES do phones! So, this is really an investment of time and no money to see if I can provide an opportunity for him to reach a wider audience. As a retired professor, he is lost without an audience! He reads 3 newspapers daily (more or less), and is full of ideas and opinions. What better outlet for them than a blog?
I'll keep you posted. Better yet, you should see the results here soon! If it works well, let me know. If it doesn't, that feedback is useful also!! Click on the word Comments below this posting, and add you opinion and ideas to my blog.
Read more!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
What's It All About?
You may be wondering what blogging is all about. I suppose everyone's got there own answer, but to me, it's about community. It's about family. And it's about sharing. For instance, lately I've been writing to two of my favorite blogs: Chilton Chats, and Marian and Phil, Inc.. Through blogs, I am able to let my neighbors, my family, and my friends know what's going on in my world, and in the world around me.
In the old days, people used the fire pit to send up smoke signals. Today, we have blogs that serve the same purpose! We can alert neighbors of upcoming events, and encourage community by sharing the experience of these events. We can inform family of news that's timely, and show slides of loved ones far away. All of these help us to stay connected to the people and places that hold meaning for us. This is all the more important NOW, for we live in a time and in a world that changes so fast, and can feel so confusing.
Blogging is certainly not a perfect tool - but it is a fun one! Hope you've been enjoying this blog, and your own ones too.
Read more!
In the old days, people used the fire pit to send up smoke signals. Today, we have blogs that serve the same purpose! We can alert neighbors of upcoming events, and encourage community by sharing the experience of these events. We can inform family of news that's timely, and show slides of loved ones far away. All of these help us to stay connected to the people and places that hold meaning for us. This is all the more important NOW, for we live in a time and in a world that changes so fast, and can feel so confusing.
Blogging is certainly not a perfect tool - but it is a fun one! Hope you've been enjoying this blog, and your own ones too.
Read more!
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