Relax and Reflect

All in all I would say I have definately learned from this and would probably do it again if given the chance. I believe it was required this time around. The only suggestion I would give would be to have more in depth instructions for those of us that aren't real savvy with the computer. Some of the things we did were downright frustrating to get loaded, once I got them on I had fun.

My favorites would have to be myspace, streaming music and google earth.

The streaming music opened a whole new world of music for me. I didn't listen to much music myself as the kids were growing up so didn't really know what I wanted to listen to, but once I put in some old favorite Artists I got a wide variety of newer artists with the same sound and have even picked up some of their cd's

Myspace; WOW! I have connected with so many of my sons friends I have never met and have since met it is amazing. I also keep in touch with a co worker and it's always nice seeing the comments left. Its fun to just be able to leave a few words to friends when you don't really have the time for a phone call, just to let them know they are in your thoughts.

Google Earth: I have flown to Iraq, Texas, Cali and some other places my son had been while serving the USMC and soon will look in on Japan as one of my surrogate sons is stationed there now.

Thanks Sno-Isle for the wonderful opportunity!!!
Now it's back to work for me.

Gaming

ok this could become very addictive, i think i will stay away from it for the time being altho i will definately show the parents how to find games. sometimes they have way too much time on their hands....i can see where it can help keep your mind active and younger. my grandmother used to do crosswords for this reason. how times have changed!
also i saw some great games my grandaughter can learn from. sometimes grandma needs a little time out and i would not feel too guilty if she is learning something educational on the computer.

google earth

Ok I had alot of fun with this altho alot of places I went were out of date. I flew over to Iraq and looked around at some of the terrain where my son had been and where some of his friends are now. Definately some dry bare land there.
I believe I will cruise over to Ireland soon....

Avatars

I guess this is the me I wish to be. No matter how I tried I just couldn't really get it to look like me. As long as I am pretending I will put myself right back down there for a walk on the beach in Cali, have dinner with my other Marine sons and watch the glorious sunset.

Online Docs

yeah so I tried the google docs, but I doubt I will ever use them, especially in the job I am doing now.

Search Engines

I have used several different search engines and find I use different ones depending on what I am looking for. Most recently it is for "Obidiah Froats". Whatever happened to him? When I was in third grade and had to do the "Easter Parade" at school I was complaining about my partner to my sister. She said in the most sour voice you can imagine from a 9 year old "at least you don't have to dance with Obie Froats" Funny how that has recently come back to me. Now when there is something I really don't want to do I just think "at least I don't have to dance with Obie Froats." I'm real curious how he turned out and since my sister has been divorced many years maybe it is time to reconnect with Obie...who knows. Sadly I can't find him. I only found one small clipping stating an Obidiah Froats (child) died in 1971 I believe. That would have made him about 13 if he is our Obie. Now that I am older and wiser I wonder what awful childhood that small boy may have endured. He was always filthy dirty in tattered clothing, poor kid.

Podcasting

By the time I figured this one out (thanks to Ryan) and found something I actually was interested in my hour was up. One of these days maybe I'll get back to it, most likely not. I was so frustrated the first time around why put myself thru it all again.

Online image generators

I really wanted to manipulate photos, but that proved to be beyond my abilities. I need way more instructions than what was provided, it just totally frustrated me so I ended up going to the flags of all countries generator and pulled up the flag for Ireland. Yes I am proud to be an American, but am also proud of my Irish heritage and try to remember this bit of wisdom given to me by a young friend.

OverDrive Revisited

A big Thanks goes out to Capt ILL for "retrieving the Digital Rights Management machine identification." Can't wait to start listening to City of Masks: Cree Black Mystery series book 1!

OverDrive

Sooo excited about OverDrive! I got on and checked out a couple books, but when I went to download them I got a message that said "ERROR OxCOOD2781: A problem has occurred in retrieving the Digital Rights Management machine identification." hmmmm no idea what to do with this so need some tech help. I tried a different computer in our area and it would download, but doesn't do me much good since I don't sit at that desk. I will try from home and see if I can get it onto my ipod then I can listen to it at work, in the car, sitting by the firepit....endless possibilities.
I enjoyed browsing the staff favorites and look forward to checking what music is available.

Social Networking

Ok I am probably going to flunk this assignment. I did not create an account, but did look at the Sno-Isle one. I have often been called anti-social and those who know me well know I get very excited when I am going to be "home alone" and it is on rare occasion when I go out with a group. I am more the one on one type. I ventured into myspace as it could be set to "private". This feels like my personal space is being invaded. It gives too much info to the whole world as to where my interests lie. I am basically a very private person. I can see where it would be useful to educators, etc, but is nothing I need in my life. I do thank the Sno-Isle team for introducing us to what is out there on the web and have learned quite alot from all these assignments, just don't feel comfortable with this one.

wikki

I have looked up things on wikipedia in the past, but had no idea you could create your own wikkis and how useful they could be. What a great thing for the workplace as far as procedures. Here in MP it seems things are changing constantly and I am always looking back at notes to see what gets this label what doesn't etc. If we had a wikki on Material Processing procedures it would be so easy to keep it updated.
My daughter works for Best Buy and is on a business trip in Texas this week. When we talked last night she told me they had to do a group project today on how and what there is available out there to keep familys in touch with their loved ones in Iraq.....a family wikki....Jarod (or whoever your loved one may be) would have one page to go to and find out what is going on at home rather than reading and responding to several emails. They have so little computer time over there. This technical age is a marvel!

You Tube, etc

Ok I am getting way behind on these assignments. It all started when I tried to watch some videos on youtube. Apparantly so was everyone else. I felt like I spent way too much time when I finally did get the videos to run and never found anything really clever like this and that always seems to. As you can see from one of my previous posts I do know how, if only I remember next time around.

As for hula and fancast I will probably never use them altho I know a couple people who work night shifts that like to catch some of their shows the next day.

myspace

I never thought I would have a myspace, felt it was a waste of time, I had more constructive things to do. After my son died I looked at his myspace daily to see what his friends were saying to him. There were so many things I wanted to ask them, but didn't know how to contact them. Now that I have created a myspace account of my own I can. I have met some of them already and look forward to getting to know the rest. I checked out my daughters myspace and was floored by the tribute she left for her brother......a slideshow, his obituary, a memory book with photos from his funeral.........Also she has an adorable slideshow of her daughter. One of the best things is I can leave messages to Shawns "brothers" whether they are in Texas, Florida, Cali or Iraq to let them know I am thinking of them and it doesn't cost a thing!

Flickr

I spent my childhood years in North Bend Oregon and we spent many hours at the ocean. One of my fondest memories of being a mom was taking my kids to the ocean for the first time and seeing the amazement on their faces. Nothing calms my spirit like the ocean, the salty breeze, the giant waves and the overall beauty of it. Oh to be there right now........ I actually found this picture my son took on Photobucket.

Streaming Music

I tried Pandora. I love it! I don't own an IPod so this was a great way for me to get my favorite mix to listen to. It'll take awhile for me to build up my song list, but I think it will be fun.

Fighting for Our Freedom

It's not about whether this war is the right thing it's about the men and women fighting for all of our freedom. Don't say I will write tomorrow, next week, whenever.... stop and do it now, before it is too late. Letters, cards, funny pics are prized possesions when you are in Iraq in 130 degree weather with wind storms so fierce you can't see more than 10 feet in front of you and you feel like a sitting duck. They add a ray of sunshine to their lives and remind them what they are there for. My extended family had a lot of regrets when my son died, but no more than my husband. I was the one to do the letter writing, mailing packages, etc after our son shipped out. My husband said 2 days before the Marines showed up at our door that he was going to write, it was the least he could do. Imagine how he felt when it was too late. Make a difference now!

RSS Feeds

I can see where RSS Feeds can be useful and a time saver for many. I am always amazed at how much info is out there on the web.
As for me personally at this point in my life I am trying to simplify and get back to basics, be on the computer less, enjoy the wonders of the earth more. Instead of saving me time, because there is not much I look at consistently, it seems to be eating up more of my free time. I look at the posts that come thru the feeds and delete 99% without ever reading them. I did find a blog from an author that writes charming knitting stories and may drop in occasionaly to see what's new in her knitting world.
I keep planning on coming to my blog page to post some personal stuff, but never seem to make the time and am not sure how others will view the thoughts I have to post.
Those of you who know me and many of you in the system I have never met know I lost a son in Iraq this past July. Alot of my world is wrapped up in the grieving process these days and moving forward. My daughters beautiful little girl helps us all get thru. Nothing like seeing the world thru the eyes of a two year old.

IM

So I chatted with my blogger friend. I think it was all a stroke of luck, she happened to find me while I was online. Taught me how to invite others and we were both pretty pleased with ourselves.

This new foreign langauge

Ok this becomes more confusing...Blogs and now Permalinks and URLS. I guess it is like learning a new language, the more I use it the more comfortable I will be. I'm missing the kids help even more, but will try to get my permalink so I can track my progress. Keeping my fingers crossed here.

Out of my comfort zone

Ok so now I have set up a BLOG. So totally out of my comfort zone. I am one of those scared to touch the computer as I might mess things up.
The kids were always the ones hooking me up with the sites I needed. Now they have moved on to bigger and better things, the house is quiet, and it's time for Mom to learn new things.
My son always said 'You need to live YOUR life Mom'. Guess now is my time. I am actually excited about all the new things I will be learning here. So Thanks Sno-Isle..........