Out of the Box....Back in the Box

Have you ever seen those stickers the Red Cross gives you if you try to give blood but, for whatever reason, cant? Well, "I Tried."

When Jennie and I were at a conference in Detroit a couple of weeks ago, we fell in love with an HP laptop that was also a tablet PC. You could open it up as a standard laptop, or spin the screen around and write on the touchscreen. A million uses ran through our heads. We could use it for productions, writing directly on the screen and taking notes. In class, I could make notations and have them show up on the projector. Etc. Etc. Etc.

But...it's 12.1" screen made it WAY too small. I think what really turned me off, though, was speed. If this had been a $700 laptop, the speed would have been okay. You get what you pay for. But for a, well, much more expensive laptop, it took forever to accomplish anything. And the pop-ups started almost immediately for me!

So, I'm staying true to my true desires. We're getting another MacBook Pro...sometime before our big trip.

A Better Blogger

Alright, I'm going to try to be a better blogger from this point forward. I actually have lots to post, the only problem is that I need a personal assistant to type it in for me, since I seem to find other ways to keep myself busy.

But, I am responding to popular demand (Jennie.)

Welcome To My iTunes, Edie Brickell!

As is the case most Friday nights, I was driving home from WDIV last night around 11:30pm, scanning the FM radio dial looking for some amusement. I have recently spent about every Friday night coming back from my shift at the station. During this 'late nite' drive, most Detroit radio stations are airing some sort of "Friday Night Dance Party" programming. I find this one of the most interesting times to skip around the FM dial and see what's going on. Most of the time, I'm listening to Sirius which has many great features like Song and Artist display. This feature would have been helpful last night.

I was on 93.9 (a Canadian station now called "The River"--changed from "Lite Rock") when I heard a pleasing sound, both vocally and instrumentally. Quite possibly, one of the best examples of well-balanced musical tone. The voice was female and sounded familiar, but I could not--for the life of me--figure out who I was listening to (this is where Sirius has the edge.) So, all I could do at that moment was make a mental note of the chorus..."I quit, I give up, nothing else is..."

When I got home, I Googled those few lyrics I had managed to remember and came up with the answer I was looking for. The song was called "Circle" by Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians. Hmm...a new band, perhaps? Not exactly. It appears that the band actually came on the scene in the mid-'80s. The most recognizable song is "What I am" (what I am is what I am, is that what your are or what.) After perusing the band's catalog (and Edie's solo stuff), I can honestly say that I like them. I'm not in love yet, but I appreciate what the band has to offer both musically and lyrically.

The thing that impresses me most about the song "Circle" is its Timelessness. The song is 20 years old, but can easily pass for one produced last week. Edie has one of those unique and unmistakable voices that once you hear, you immediately fall in love with. Her voice is coarse, but controlled. Which makes the experience of listening to her quite pleasant.

Interested in hearing Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians? I suggest stopping by their web site, downloading their album on iTunes or perhaps calling "The River" and making a request. You know me, I'm not one to post copyrighted music on the Internet. I'm a good boy.

Enjoy!

The Best Thing about MACUL

Media Instructors Unite!

details coming sooner

Well...

So, I thought I had a post all ready to go from my Chicago trip this past weekend. However, I am sad to report that the photos apparently never made it to blogger. That means you will have to use your imagination.

Jennie and I spend our weekend in Chicago, visiting her sister, brother-in-law and two kids. Saturday evening, we attended a benefit for their Montesorri school at the East Bank Club on the Chicago River. It was a nice time. Jennie had created a looping DVD of photos that played during the event. We also offered up a photo montage set to music as an auction item. I think it brought something like $480, all of which will go towards the school.

We stopped downtown for lunch on the way out on Sunday. Jennie's mom has the "Road Food" book by the Sterns. So, we ate at the Billy Goat Tavern, home to the famous Saturday Night Live "Cheesebouger" skit.

Blossom School Charity Event

the lghtig isn't great but jennie and i are in chicago for this great event.

Driving Artwork

I took this photo of the pretty flashing lights on my way back from Detroit a few nights ago. Enjoy!

Big Prizes for the J!

Yum...this is our snack!

Motor City Monday (and Tuesday)

Jennie and I have just arrived in Detroit for the 2007 Conference on Career and Technical Education. We will be here tonight (Sunday) through Tuesday afternoon. This is Jennie's first year attending...my second. These type of events really help teachers keep fresh in the classroom, providing new insights on how to do things we currently do better, and giving new ideas for instruction.

This great view is from our 50th floor hotel room at the Detroit Marriott in the GM Renaissance Center. The dark area on the left is the Detroit River. Follow it up the page to see the lighted outline of the Ambassador Bridge, linking Detroit to Windsor, Ontario (Canada.) Straight ahead just up Jefferson Avenue is Cobo Center and Cobo Arena. In the bottom right-hand corner is the entrance to the Windsor Tunnel, which runs under the Detroit River.

I think we're both looking forward to our couple of days here in Detroit. Mom and Dad have Daisy through Wednesday. Thanks Mom and Dad! Consider this practice for your new puppy! Although by now, you're experts. Please don't feed Daisy too many Chicken McNuggets.

Somehow, the other picture of Sean is missing from my blog. Not wanting him to feel shown up by a certain other MCR-OP (Dayna), I'm putting on this new and improved pic!