Does Tweeting Make me a Twit?

Despite the fact that I have managed to take a class on Twitter for Teachers and teach two workshops on social media, I remain a bit of a skeptic. I find it intriguing. I suspect there really is no fighting it. Yet, I'm not sure we really understand the way that social media is altering our reality, our literacies.

Today I was struck by a NY Times article from a few weeks ago, I Tweet, Therefore I Am. And one slice in particular:

"Back in the 1950s, the sociologist Erving Goffman famously argued that all of life is performance: we act out a role in every interaction, adapting it based on the nature of the relationship or context at hand. Twitter has extended that metaphor to include aspects of our experience that used to be considered off-set: eating pizza in bed, reading a book in the tub, thinking a thought anywhere, flossing. Effectively, it makes the greasepaint permanent, blurring the lines not only between public and private but also between the authentic and contrived self. If all the world was once a stage, it has now become a reality TV show: we mere players are not just aware of the camera; we mug for it."

And I don't think Twitter is the only target here. I'm sure this can be said for all forms of social media, this blog included. I'm not sure the realization is enough to change anything for me, but awareness is worth something, I think.

article found via Swiss Miss

Sounds Sketchy? Not at all.

Every year I contemplate NaNoWriMo and am unable to truly give it a go, especially in November. It's just not the month for me at this stage of my life... And a novel. Wow. I don't know.

So, now I've gone and done something radical. Well, for me at least.

I signed up for The Sketchbook Project. I just couldn't help myself. It's too cool not to be a part of this.

I am not even good at art... at least not in its traditional forms, but this is a really freeing project based on what I read and I'm VERY excited to see what emerges.

Please check it out for yourself and consider joining me in The Sketchbook Project.

Sweet Eats.

I love food blogs. I've said it before--they are my "porn." I experience a lust that I imagine is how some men view the other sort. I can feel it all through me... the appreciation for the beauty of the food. The mouthwatering. The ache. :)

I have a few favorites that do the exaggerated explicit photographic instructions on how to craft their delectable recipes. Yet, another favorite foodie is Oh Joy Eats. Joy's blog features favorite restaurants, food related products, desserts, dishes, recommendations, sweets, treats and more all styled to perfection. I enjoy her other blog too.

13 Ways of Looking at a Hamster

Oooh... please click here - Eden Kennedy of Fussy gets poetic.
And it's great fun. Well... Peanut liked it!

Jane Austen Fight Club -- A Double Parody

There's Something About Stevie.

It seems like the world is trying to encourage my music mania by offering up little gems at every turn. I've long loved Fleetwood Mac, in general and Stevie Nicks especially. I am sure others might not approve, but I heartily admire her signature style, and while to affect a "Stevie look" would be nothing short of poor imitation, it does inspire me to find that look of my own. I'm all about the music, the stage presence, the memories I've made with the music, but sometimes it's also just how ridiculously cool some musicians are. Today I stumbled upon this video on Hello Lindello. It's Stevie backstage singing Wild Heart. Though a longer You Tube video says it was getting ready for a Rolling Stones photo shoot... you can watch that longer vid. here.

The Look

So yesterday was Mick Jagger's 67th birthday and what do I do? I celebrate by looking at You Tube clips of Marianne Faithfull. Naturally. :) You can listen to her songs here on her site!

Though I am not over the moon in love with all her music, I love her trainwreck of a voice and how she managed to become two different singers in about 15 years due to what--smoking, drugs, wild living that left her a shell of her former self. Hmmm... that might be an exaggeration, but she IS a fascinating woman and one would be a fool to ignore her resilience and her relentless pursuit of a career in both film and music.

AND she's got "the look," to quote Roxette. I think she's quite beautiful at any age and couldn't stop myself from watching interview after interview on You Tube. Good stuff.

Set the time travel dial to 1962 Greenwich Village... or maybe 1967 Monterey... 1965 in London. I am convinced I should have grown up in the midst of the 60s music scene; I would have been a totally different person. Or maybe the same person with a totally different set of experiences. Sigh.

Superpowers Playlist -- Volume III

It's been a long time since I've done a Superpower Playlist -- Clearly, I am a slacker...
Lately, I've been updating my laptop with CDs, transferring files from my old computer, and my headphones have been a-humming... So, no fears. A playlist of current faves is in the works. In the meantime...

Superpower Playlist Volume I
Feb. 2008

1. You Turn Me On I'm a Radio by Joni Mitchell
2. Little Boxes by Malvina Reynolds
3. Gone, Gone, Gone (Done Moved On) by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
4. Samson by Regina Spektor
5. Modern Girl by Sleater-Kinney
6. Ride a White Swan by T.Rex
7. Oh Very Young by Cat Stevens
8. Hot Child in the City by Nick Gilder
9. Third Time Lucky by Foghat
10. MmmBop by Hanson
11. Your Daddy Don't Know by Toronto
12. Hold On, Hold On by Neko Case
13. Diamonds on the Inside by Ben Harper
14. Turn Me On by Nina Simone
15. Falling Slowly by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova
16. Take Me Home Tonight by Eddie Money
17. Jessie's Girl by Rick Springfield
18. Little Willy by Sweet
19. Knock Three Times by Tony Orlando and Dawn
20. Oxygen by Willy Mason
21. Peace Will Come (According to Plan) by Melanie
22. Love is All Around by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts

The closest I can manage to an online version is a You Tube Playlist.



Superpower Playlist Volume II
June 2008
1. Crazy by Gnarls Barkley
2. Bad 4 You by Alannah Myles
3. I Want to Hold Your Hand by T.V. Carpio
4. Don't Think Twice, It's Alright by Indigo Girls with Joan Baez
5. Burning for You by Blue Oyster Cult
6. Against the Wind by Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band
7. It Ain't Me, Babe by The Turtles
8. Change is Hard by She and Him
9. Teenagers by My Chemical Romance
10. Turn on Me by The Shins
11. Does Your Mother Know by ABBA
12. Forever for Her (Is Over For Me) by The White Stripes
13. I'm Your Man by Leonard Cohen
14. Never Going Back Again by Fleetwood Mac
15. I Got You Babe by Sonny and Cher
16. Baby Boomerang by The Shins
17. Kamera by Wilco
18. The Outdoor Type by The Lemonheads
19. I Know There's Something Going On by Frieda
20. All Summer Long by Kid Rock

My You Tube Playlist link for this version



And stay tuned for Superpower Playlist III.... coming soon to a computer near you.

In the meantime, here's a link to my You Tube Channel... I almost never have original videos on there but I do tend to add to my favorites regularly.

Camp or Cool? Who Cares!

I can't remember where I've posted this before, but I couldn't find it when I looked so I think it warrants another shout out. I LOVE this little video montage of Diana Rigg as Emma Peel in The Avengers... and what a great song, consider this a tribute to Pete Quaife of The Kinks.

Make Yourself Scarce.

pics via Andy Smith who's been reading my mind!

This past week I attended a conference in Bismarck --Invest North Dakota Teacher Academy. Because it was held at University of Mary, I got to experience the college dorm room all over again. I can't say I've missed it. :)

After every session my brain felt full to bursting. Conference topics ranged from looking at economics in the elementary classroom to diversifying your own financial assets. At every turn we were offered free resources, curriculum, websites, suggestions, games, ideas, and the latest laws and good-to-know-facts about everything from the most simple wants/needs concepts to exploring the benefits of a Roth IRA versus a Traditional IRA. We learned about protecting ourselves from fraud and scams and what do to if we are exposed so suspicious activity. We learned about the stock market and about bonds and about the new credit card laws. We even had a representative from our pension plan --TFFR--Teachers Fund for Retirement--talk about some of the potential changes and its impacts. I left with more motivation to share some of this knowledge with the loved ones in my life. Even helping students to understand the power of compounding interest and creating a realistic budget would be a great start.

And one final thought that blew me away... some of the most successful people don't work for anyone. They are entrepreneurs. Are we giving students the tools they need so that entrepreneurship is an option? I heard this message again and again throughout the week. Dr. John Hail, professor Missouri State University said, "When your students ask you what is the secret to success, tell them the following. Think of yourself as a resource. Now, make yourself scarce." Be able to do something no one else can.

Susan Beacham reminded us of the importance of being able to "delay gratification" and that we need to live BELOW our means, not within it. In one of her sessions she talked about how to live like a millionaire-- as people who are disciplined, who work hard, are patient, persistent, frugal, charitable. They budget, have good social skills, supportive spouses, love what they do-- are passionate about their work. They use their resources, time, talent, energy and money to survive and really thrive. Four of five millionaires are college graduates and yet 3/4 of all millionaires are self employed--they aren't getting a degree to "get a job." But I think that statistic still speaks to hard work, education, and delaying gratification. It speaks to being passionate about what you do and not holding back.

Seth Willis of Greeley Colorado presented about using the Internet in the classroom and I loved his use of literary quotes to support his theories--hey I am an English teacher, after all.

Dr. Debra Peppers provided humor and inspiration and echoed another reminder that excellent teachers can surprise students, keep things fresh, and truly care. The right word at the right time can change a life. Who would think that at an investment conference I would be moved to tears multiple times during her session? She was a powerful presenter.

I can't recommend this workshop enough. I don't even teach personal finance in school or any family and consumer science classes or economics and I still left motivated and excited about my charge as a teacher of young people who need to be prepared for the world before them.

Nine

Nine (2009)

Ebert rates this film 2 stars and reminds us that this film " pays homage to a Broadway musical, and not Fellini at all." Having seen neither 8 1/2 nor the musical, for me it is what it is. And overall, it was a bit disjointed and blase. The ladies were lovely, especially Marion Cotillard. I loved the costumes. I enjoyed several of the musical numbers, despite Ebert's claim that the musical has no good songs. I liked the lighting and the colors and the sort of "style" that Stephanie (Kate Hudson) talks about... but the story, meh. I think Ebert explains pretty well, how it fell short.

Here are Ebert's parting comments in his review, I plan to follow his advice.

"Nine is just plain adrift in its own lack of necessity. It is filled wall to wall with stars (Marion Cotillard as the wife figure, Penelope Cruz as the mistress, Judi Dench as the worrying assistant, Nicole Kidman as the muse, the sublime Sophia Loren as the mother). But that's what they are, stars, because the movie doesn't make them characters. My closing advice is very sincere: In the life of anyone who loves movies, there must be time to see "8½." You can watch it instantly right now on Netflix or Amazon. What are you waiting for?"

Two Film Friday

What began as a plan to see either Inception at the theatre in town or Toy Story 3 at the Sky Vu Drive-In Theatre turned into quite a different movie night. We ruled out the drive in based on the fact that it was going to start much later in the evening and so we opted for Inception, only to find it sold out. This has to be the first sold out film I've attempted to see in YEARS. I guess I don't often make it on opening weekend.

After a brief jaunt around Blockbuster we picked up four choices -- Princess and the Frog, The Book of Eli, Leap Year, and When in Rome. We ruled out the two romantic comedies thanks to Rotten Tomatoes low ratings and opted for a bit of both worlds... Disney-rific and Post-apocalyptic.

Princess and the Frog

I don't have a lot to say about this one. It was heavily hyped by my animation-analyst sister, Ashley who was excited that it was hand drawn. I did appreciate some of those finer elements of the film, but overall it wasn't my favorite. Ray, the lightning bug, and his enduring love for Evangeline was probably my favorite part. I'd give this one 3 stars.

The Book of Eli

The post-apocalyptic novel/film is one of my favorite genres so already this one was a winner. I love Mila Kunis and Jennifer Beals so they were assets. Of course, I loved the message of the importance and value of literacy, but mostly I just loved the way the film could still surprise me even when I thought I knew what was going on. The elderly couple were a real treat, and while I didn't enjoy the violent aspects of the film, it was fun to see Eli (Denzel Washington) kicking butt. This one is a four star film for sure!

A Summer Treat -- Revised

S'mores Stuffed Brownies

I just saw this recipe on The Picky Palate blog and can't wait to try it. I'm forever trying to figure out how to ingest S'mores when there's no campfire to be found. Follow the link for details... Mmmmmm.....

God Bless Dairy Queen!

It was my birthday today and I celebrated by helping my youngest sister break in her new grill. She's recently moved out of my mom's place into a house with four other girls, three dogs, and three cats. :)

Her roomies were so sweet and joined in the feast, provided mostly by my mom who knows how to do cheezy potatoes right. And since most everyone knows I do not like cake, my mom went the extra mile and picked up a yummy Dairy Queen number. Delish!

The best bit was Shade (Ashley's border collie) was back home and on the mend (will post more on him later).

Every year I forget to get my free movie rental on my birthday over at Hollywood Video and for once I remembered, probably because they've got "going out of business" signs up all over. Still, I stopped in to pick one out and discovered they aren't even renting anymore. Just selling everything off. Sad, sad day. Maybe they are out of business because they gave away too many free birthday rentals? Oh well, not to me, anyway.

Instead we watched 2012 which I picked up at the public library. As films go, it wasn't fantastic or anything, yet it was a bit thrilling and my geologist loving was kicked into high gear as I tried to imagine the south pole shifted into the space where Wisconsin once was. And of course, there's John Cusack.

I had a good night and a good birthday. Yay. Here's to an even better year!

Wordless Wednesday: The Cheerful Edition