Where In The World...?

A month or two ago I noticed a little red dot on my little map indicating that a computer in Sweden had made connection with my blog. Presumably there was a person involved and they actually read something. I thought it was kind of cool. For some reason I have always had a place in my heart for Sweden.

Then today I noticed more little red dots on the little map. It looks like a couple hits from the same spot in Mexico, Australia, and Malaysia. I'm not sure what to think of it. How did they get there? I have tried to google my blog in the past and for the life of me could not find it. My blog is open to the world for anyone happens to find it and who wishes to read it. I'd like to think my writing is so wonderful that people are on the edge of their seats waiting for the next post and sharing it with family and friends, who then share it with family and friends, and so on. However, I doubt this is the reason for the recent meager accumulation of red dots from around the world. I know my mom and dad and a few friends read my blog regularly, as shown by the bigger dots. A sibling or two may read it every now and then.

Anyway, even though I don't know who is behind the dots I like to see them pop up. So, for those who read my blog, if you are traveling a fair distance from your regular computer location I want you to find a computer and visit my blog. Maybe you could leave a comment on the most recent post. Something like, "Hello from Costa Rica!" or wherever you happen to be.

Twitter.com/kevharp

This is especially funny because I just created a Twitter account. To be honest, I don't get it. I might have to deactivate it just like I did with Facebook after trying it out for a month. No offense to anyone who finds these "tools" as useful. I think they're ... interesting, or something.

This is a short podcast on NPR by Brian Unger sharing his thoughts about Twitter. Click the link below. That will take you to the main page. Then just click Listen Now for your laugh. Yeah, I will have to get rid of my Twitter account because I totally agree with him!
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101619832

A New Look

Not that many people will notice or care but I have a new look ... that is, for my blog. I figured out how to download a blogger template, unzip it, and then upload it to my blog. I also figured out how to make a playlist of music with ilike.com. This all came about because I thought I should create a blog for my work even though I know next to nothing about blogging platforms. There is a team of teachers leading the rest of the staff in making our work environment a Professional Learning Community (PLC). I am on that team and I thought we should document the process because I wasn't able to find many people bloggin about their PLC. The blog for my work is http://www.sbeplc.blogspot.com/

Maybe these new things are a result of the new president. :-) I was glued to the TV for at least 3 days (the day before, the day of, and the day after the inaguration). How has President Obama's presidency impacted your life? Are you looking for ways to serve?

excuses are like ...

Hmmm. Well, it's really cold this time of year. Isn't it? Yeah, um.

So, do I have an exuse for not posting to my blog in forever? Wait, here's the real question. Do I have any reason to post anything on my blog? I know lots of reasons for keeping a blog. Most recently I read how it could possibly get me a job. It could serve as a new way to network and show potential employers that I have something to offer. I'm not sure having made a few posts in the time frame that I have would show employers that I'm the go-getter, competition driven, productive type - so I'll just keep this on the down low. I'll resort to the good 'ol fashion ink-jet printed cover letter and resume with organizations I already know people are in.

until next time ...

See! 3 months later

I have thought about making another post once or twice in the past three months since I jumped on the blogging bandwagon. Maybe this just isn't for me. I'm not sure how much I would want to reveal about myself if I were to continue this. Maybe I need a focus for my blog so that I don't feel like I have to write about my life. Maybe I could write about the nuances of where I live. Oh well, I've got to mow the lawn and fold laundry. Bye for now. Maybe I'll think of something in the next three months.

I guess I will continue learning

I know about blogs. I have heard about blogs for several years now. Have I ever cared? For some reason, no. I don't even keep a hand written journal. Plus, I don't really think I enjoy writing. Those are two good reasons for having never delved into the blog sceen. In addition, who in the world would really want to read my ranting, rambling, bragging, history, goals, wishes, accomplishments, and/or shortcomings? I'm sure my family and friends have better things to do and the novelty of having my own blog will wear off soon. Having a blog is having another thing to do, not to mention another username and password to remember. Having a blog is a committment. Not like marriage or anything that serious, but a committment nonethelss. I will have to update it, otherwise I will feel like a failure. There's nothing like getting another thing started and not finishing it. I don't need my wife to have another reason to nag at me. The garden and simple home improvement jobs are quite enough, thank you.

So, as much as I despise it I am curious. If nothing else I am learning something new about my everyday world. Being an educator I have to agree that is a rather important thing to do. The more I know about my student's world the greater chance I have of helping them make connections. I have heard at a few technology workshops for teachers that I can use blogging as a tool to make writing more exciting and authentic. I'm not sure I'm totally convinced, but I will try this out.

I am now officially on the blogging bandwagon.