Thursday, May 31, 2007

Unplugged to the Max!



Just back from a TOTALLY unplugged weekend... and that's not an exaggeration! Al and I spent the weekend at The Original Northeastern Primitive Rendezvoux and stepped back in time with friends Jerry, Simone, Kevin and Al's sister Theresa. It was tons of work but lots of fun to live that way for a weekend.

Loving history, I was into it and was pleasantly surprised to find that Al was too. Of course, good friends, good food and lots of laughs always makes it fun. I don't think I could step out of the 21st century for an entire week like they do every year, but a long weekend away from all things modern (yes, even including the internet!) was a refreshing change and forced me to slow down and decompress.

The weather was hot, the company was great, and my favorite part of the weekend, besides seeing the young families and the comradery there, was just hearing everyone long after dark sitting by their fires LAUGHING, playing music, and singing. The smell of firewood filled the air and candles could be seen flickering throughout camp.

I look forward to doing it again next year and hope that we'll be blessed with the same good fortune as this, our first Rendezvoux.


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Thursday, May 24, 2007

Virtual Hot Wings for Dinner.... :-)


As I sit and type (and take a break from cleaning and ironing) I've got the sounds of Matthew Ebel blaring from the speakers. Of course I own Beer and Coffee and listening to it religiously, especially when running and on podcasts, but this incredible live collection is something completely unique and cutting edge.

I'm listening to a (legal) bootleg collection of recordings of Hali Heron's (Matthew's) concerts in Second Life. I was there the first time around and caught the shows live, right from my desktop PC through the magic of The Internets...hehe.

What's so different about these 7 hours of music is that it was compiled and distributed by a group of Matthew's FANS. And the best part is, 100% of the profits will be going into Matthew Ebel's pocket... yes, that's right, maybe he'll give up Waffles and Ramen for dinner after all! This just may blaze a trail and become THE New Media music purchase method of choice. (Imagine that... actually putting the money into the hands of the musicians! Brilliant!)

Get your own copy of Virtual Hot Wings NOW... and enjoy!!



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Monday, May 21, 2007

Play Ball!



Ahh... there's nothing better in the baseball world as a Red Sox and Yankees series... especially in this household. How I ever ended up married to a Yankee fan (and worse... bore a Yankee fan son) is beyond me....hehe! Actually, it does make for lots of fun during baseball season. This one has been especially great so far and I'm rooting for my boys to continue the domination this season!


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Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Twitter... where for art thou, Twitter


It's amazing just how much I'm relying on that little bugger and miss it when it's down. This week has been a hard one for me for many reasons and I REALLY don't need the Twitter Aggravation on top of it. Of course, I've taken to clenching my jaw when I see any of those cute cats... and when it IS up but my tweets disappear into thin air, I'm ready to scream, but it's more than just that...

I'm missing the people behind those tweets. I'm missing having a finger on the pulse of what's happening at any given moment in time. I'm missing letting my friends know what's up with me and where I'm at. I'm missing clicking on the links of the latest news and things that my online colleagues are doing or have posted. I also miss being able to send and receive direct messages rather than fire up the email just to say a few words. Most of all, I miss the support of friends if I just need a hug or to vent.

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Saturday, May 12, 2007

Disconnected

Just when you think that things will happen a certain way, something comes up and they change. My last post celebrated my day of freedom because the ASSessment was done finally. I thought for sure that my free time would increase and I would be able to start working on so many of the New Media projects and things that require my attention and also finish my class that had to take an incomplete for this spring. My body had other ideas.....

I spent over a week with very swollen glands and a sore throat and a couple of days with a fever so I ended up working and then literally going right to bed when I got home for the rest of the day/night. But more than that, I got a new student who is VERY challenging and presents a combination of many issues requiring ALL of my attention.

I've been going into work early and staying late until he's actually on the bus and on the way home as well as expelling tons of mental energy brainstorming ways to meet all of his needs and transition him into a school environment both while at work and at home. So, all of my free periods, which were reclaimed as the assessment ended have been full of paperwork and things related to this situation instead.

It also was one of those hectic stretches where the commitments on the calendar just don't seem to stop. Add the less-than-stellar-health to the mix and the Social Media world definately is not high on the priority list. Sure, I managed to scan the inboxes for super important emails but Google Reader has piled up and up. I've barely Twittered and Second Life is a distant memory. It seems strange to not have my finger on the pulse of what's going on right now. And although it's tempting to go back and try to "catch up", it'll be practically impossible so I'll scan GR quickly then as tough as it'll be, "Mark All Read" for many of them then start fresh.

I would love to say that this week will be different, however I don't expect things to change much until I actually get out of school and start my beloved Summer Life... (ahhhh... just the thought brings a smile to my face. ) There was a major issue at school yesterday with one of my other students, lots of end of the year paper work to do, IEPs to write, meetings to hold and just the busy spring calendar itself with family things, Special Olympics and such.

I also started an Autism course that I've been waiting for which will run for 9 weeks bringing me into July. I've been reading a lot of books about Autism as well. Of course, I'll still be trying to squeeze out a weekly podcast too, even if it's via iriver like the last two.

So, if you don't see or hear much from me for awhile, it's not that I don't love you... I'm just spread too thin.

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Thursday, May 03, 2007

RezDay and FREEDOM!!

Ok... so, two things happening today. Despite being sick, I have a perma-smile because of this:

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After the entire school year dealing with the dreaded ASSessment... ahhhhhhh!!

RELIEF!!

Also, just happened to notice that today is my RezDay, the birthday of my Second Life avatar, Kaye Delacroix. And, my how she's changed...hehe! Happy RezDay also to Lynette Radio who shares my day.. and Ed Radio whose day was yesterday.

Kaye Delacroix

RezDay

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