Okay, this is a great tool.... You can have access to your docs without having to store in on your laptop... I think the benefits are self-explanatory...
Teachers can keep all their years of lesson planning in one spot....
Businesses can keep all of their vital contracts and all in one area....
Social activists can keep a tally of all their petitions...
Do I need to go on?
Monday, May 3, 2010
Twitter....
What can I say Twitter? Let me keep simple, and short as possible...
Unless you are a traveler or adventurer roaming the world, or a social activist making a positive change for the world, or even an educator enhancing the lives of our student, I dont think I would be interested in your minute by minute explanation, brief as it may be, of y our daily routine which hasnt really changed for the past 5 years, to be blunt, with due respect of course....
No, I think I have enough problems and issues to deal with, then to know that you are picking up a gallon of milk because you really thought you measured it enough for the morning's cereal, or that you are forced to go out in the cold in your slippers cause your delivery person dosnt know how to throw, or that you are in the mood for sushi....
I am sorry I really dont care.... I dont mean to be mean, and I am usually diplomatic and tactful but certain things I feel should be understood on its own.... Twitter again unless its important and needed, is annoying...
I dont know if I want to be that attached to anyone.... Except of course, my wife.... Yes, I am expecting to get brownie points for that, thank you very much.... :)
But in the end I guess, its 'to each their own'...
Unless you are a traveler or adventurer roaming the world, or a social activist making a positive change for the world, or even an educator enhancing the lives of our student, I dont think I would be interested in your minute by minute explanation, brief as it may be, of y our daily routine which hasnt really changed for the past 5 years, to be blunt, with due respect of course....
No, I think I have enough problems and issues to deal with, then to know that you are picking up a gallon of milk because you really thought you measured it enough for the morning's cereal, or that you are forced to go out in the cold in your slippers cause your delivery person dosnt know how to throw, or that you are in the mood for sushi....
I am sorry I really dont care.... I dont mean to be mean, and I am usually diplomatic and tactful but certain things I feel should be understood on its own.... Twitter again unless its important and needed, is annoying...
I dont know if I want to be that attached to anyone.... Except of course, my wife.... Yes, I am expecting to get brownie points for that, thank you very much.... :)
But in the end I guess, its 'to each their own'...
Bookmarking
Heres another 'make your life easier' tool that I think I can do without... I am happy with the physical bookmark that I use for my physical books....
I dont think I have much use for this, at least for now.... I am not searching or going through hundreds of regular websites each day, nor do I have the time...
Thank-God, my memory is still strong that I can simply remember the name of the websites, just like the how the cavemen perhaps remembered where they left their hunting tools without the assistance of any technology...
I am sure it may be helpful to some particular profession.... But even from a teachers point of view, even though there many - many great teaching websites out there, that are important and vital and needed at times, I would rather not be overwhelmed or even confused at the influx of info out there... I will take what I like, adjust it, modify it as i like, and move on with my life...
I dont think I have much use for this, at least for now.... I am not searching or going through hundreds of regular websites each day, nor do I have the time...
Thank-God, my memory is still strong that I can simply remember the name of the websites, just like the how the cavemen perhaps remembered where they left their hunting tools without the assistance of any technology...
I am sure it may be helpful to some particular profession.... But even from a teachers point of view, even though there many - many great teaching websites out there, that are important and vital and needed at times, I would rather not be overwhelmed or even confused at the influx of info out there... I will take what I like, adjust it, modify it as i like, and move on with my life...
YouTube...
Okay here is a technology that has, whether we like it or not, become a part of not only our society but our lives as well, directly or indirectly...
Be it to arouse the memories of yesterday, when we search for our favorite tv ads. Or to watch our fav characters that we grew watching... Or just to be a part of the moment during the birth of that .special one...
Visual is a powerful tool that gets the creative juices of our mind flowing...
An educator can only teach so much in one hour or even a few hours a day... An educators own knowledge and experience may be limited.... An educator may be limited to one area....
What is a student of sociology to do? How does a teacher of sociology make the lesson more 'hands-on', if you will? I really dont think it gets simpler than youtube aside from live video chatting...
To obtain a better understanding or gather more details, one can turn to YT for a bunch of lectures and seminars on the topic or even video footage of actual excavation sites..... The possibilities is endless.... Projects are immense to peak the interest....
Be it to arouse the memories of yesterday, when we search for our favorite tv ads. Or to watch our fav characters that we grew watching... Or just to be a part of the moment during the birth of that .special one...
Visual is a powerful tool that gets the creative juices of our mind flowing...
An educator can only teach so much in one hour or even a few hours a day... An educators own knowledge and experience may be limited.... An educator may be limited to one area....
What is a student of sociology to do? How does a teacher of sociology make the lesson more 'hands-on', if you will? I really dont think it gets simpler than youtube aside from live video chatting...
To obtain a better understanding or gather more details, one can turn to YT for a bunch of lectures and seminars on the topic or even video footage of actual excavation sites..... The possibilities is endless.... Projects are immense to peak the interest....
Podcasts
Podcasts.... Yet another technology to simplify things. This refers back to my other blog where I 'shared my concern' about new gadgets and what or how we did things in the 'good old days of yesteryear s'...
Personally, I know its a great tool. It does definitely simplify things where you have a world of knowledge at your fingertips. I personally know a few who use it regularly, and swore by it. And I am sure it is a great and valuable tool in the classroom as well.... Notes, lectures, projects -- the list is endless...
The problem I have is using tech for the sake of it.... I mean there is already enough as it is.... Time is already limited not to mention the attention span of kids. Do we really want to add to their list of making an effort to engage in another medium for the sake of knowledge? We are just at the tip of the iceberg as they say. Where do we draw the line? How do we know enough is enough? What a semester of classes, how much time or space do we really have to add this or that, or do away with this or that? Does the added technology really enhance the learning experience or just take away the learning time?
In business, it is often said lets cut to the chase.... Yesterday, we told our kids look, 2 multiplied by 2 is 4. Learn it, use it and apply it. Thats it. End of story. Today, we have to first take out our technology, literally plug it in, not to mention the kids themselves, and then we move on to the actual learning...
I am just playing the devils advocate, but sometimes I do wonder, is it really worth it all? Or are we loosing the essence of it all, the teaching and learning, while adapting all these new high gadgets and what not.....
Personally, I know its a great tool. It does definitely simplify things where you have a world of knowledge at your fingertips. I personally know a few who use it regularly, and swore by it. And I am sure it is a great and valuable tool in the classroom as well.... Notes, lectures, projects -- the list is endless...
The problem I have is using tech for the sake of it.... I mean there is already enough as it is.... Time is already limited not to mention the attention span of kids. Do we really want to add to their list of making an effort to engage in another medium for the sake of knowledge? We are just at the tip of the iceberg as they say. Where do we draw the line? How do we know enough is enough? What a semester of classes, how much time or space do we really have to add this or that, or do away with this or that? Does the added technology really enhance the learning experience or just take away the learning time?
In business, it is often said lets cut to the chase.... Yesterday, we told our kids look, 2 multiplied by 2 is 4. Learn it, use it and apply it. Thats it. End of story. Today, we have to first take out our technology, literally plug it in, not to mention the kids themselves, and then we move on to the actual learning...
I am just playing the devils advocate, but sometimes I do wonder, is it really worth it all? Or are we loosing the essence of it all, the teaching and learning, while adapting all these new high gadgets and what not.....
Wiki
This I think is a great tool personally.... I am in Project Management as well non-profit Projects, and it comes in real handy with both areas.
With the PM, for instance, we have one basic doc online. From there, each appropriate team or individual, be it the engineers, accountants, IT, etc, edits as needed. There is no confusion or overlap as everything is in essence done in 'real time'. There are no excuses or ton of emails from everyone. Its really simplified.
With the NP, when we are designing and implementing a Seminar or Conference, as you may know its a hassle and at times chaotic, to create and update the Agenda, as each speakers schedule or title keeps changing. Here in this situation, via Wiki, the planning to a certain extent is done effortlessly. It does indeed make things easier...
Even when it comes to teaching, and theres a group of us teaching the same class to a diff group of students, we can make modifications or suggestions to one common syllabus that we just refer to on our time....
A virtual assistant indeed!
With the PM, for instance, we have one basic doc online. From there, each appropriate team or individual, be it the engineers, accountants, IT, etc, edits as needed. There is no confusion or overlap as everything is in essence done in 'real time'. There are no excuses or ton of emails from everyone. Its really simplified.
With the NP, when we are designing and implementing a Seminar or Conference, as you may know its a hassle and at times chaotic, to create and update the Agenda, as each speakers schedule or title keeps changing. Here in this situation, via Wiki, the planning to a certain extent is done effortlessly. It does indeed make things easier...
Even when it comes to teaching, and theres a group of us teaching the same class to a diff group of students, we can make modifications or suggestions to one common syllabus that we just refer to on our time....
A virtual assistant indeed!
Photos and Images...
I will be honest with you.... As surprising as it may be, and as taken aback as you may be, I really couldnt wait to get to this section... Yes, thats correct, hard to believe, but I am intrigued and fascinated with the world of pictures, and cameras, and all the tech that goes with it. Yup... :)
I think the few pics that I have been able to upload should be on behalf of my interest. Would like to upload and post more, but thats only possible if my wife's list of errands cease :). And hopefully, shes not reading this, otherwise, there goes my home cooked meal as well... :)
After many years of playing with the camera, and trying to keep on top of things and updated, I am still amazed with this. How a 'simple' technology can capture any moment, to reflect upon and reminisce years later.... The blushing bride, the graduate full of pride, the innocence of a baby...
And now, to add to that, its not about going to your closet and taking out the shoebox. With the digital technology, literally thousands and thousands of your personal photos online at your fingertips. In other words, we can travel half way across the world, and still have access to our memories displaying it for all to see...
I have tried many of the tools and options suggested in this session. Learned something new, got refresher.... Overall, a great session as it had to do with my own personal interest.... Look forward to playing with it even more....
I think the few pics that I have been able to upload should be on behalf of my interest. Would like to upload and post more, but thats only possible if my wife's list of errands cease :). And hopefully, shes not reading this, otherwise, there goes my home cooked meal as well... :)
After many years of playing with the camera, and trying to keep on top of things and updated, I am still amazed with this. How a 'simple' technology can capture any moment, to reflect upon and reminisce years later.... The blushing bride, the graduate full of pride, the innocence of a baby...
And now, to add to that, its not about going to your closet and taking out the shoebox. With the digital technology, literally thousands and thousands of your personal photos online at your fingertips. In other words, we can travel half way across the world, and still have access to our memories displaying it for all to see...
I have tried many of the tools and options suggested in this session. Learned something new, got refresher.... Overall, a great session as it had to do with my own personal interest.... Look forward to playing with it even more....
RSS....
Technology.... Is it really a convince or just another added hassle? Is it beneficial or just another headache? Did the world even exist before the gps, mapquest, blackberries and spreadsheets? How did the world go around yesterday when none of this existed? Was life simpler then or is life simpler now with the added technology?
Looking into RSS, I just wonder how many more 'tools' do we really need to make our lives more 'simplified'? Another password to remember... Another site to update... Another tool to add on to the large of already existing tools....
Looking into RSS, I just wonder how many more 'tools' do we really need to make our lives more 'simplified'? Another password to remember... Another site to update... Another tool to add on to the large of already existing tools....
Blogging...
Blogging.... The high def term for keeping a diary in essence... But now its all out there, in public. So how on earth can a little brother tease her sis or use it as ransom to convince mom jointly for a new bike.... How things have changed....
I often wonder how great men of yesterday would have utilized technology to their advantage, and how it would changed the course of history.
In the US, we have our Federalist Papers which basically were a bunch of articles in support of ratifying the Constitution... This was done individually by a few men. Today, its a great source to further understand the intricacies of the Constitution. However, what if Hamilton or Madison had 'blogged' their viewpoints and perspectives? What if others joined in, sharing their own respective feedback and thoughts? How further defined or detailed would the Constitution be, if at all? How would it have changed the course of history?
Would King have been able to create an early and more inspiring spark movement with the Civil Rights movement; would Gandhi had been able to rattle the British even earlier and created a more robust nation?
Or would it have worked against them?
Its interesting to see how news today does not alone come from the big corporations, sponsors, or 'paid' professionals. It also comes from regular people, like you and I, making the news more current, lively and pertinent to the world we live in. Blogging has if anything else, made the world an even smaller place to be in.... and a more connected place than ever....
I often wonder how great men of yesterday would have utilized technology to their advantage, and how it would changed the course of history.
In the US, we have our Federalist Papers which basically were a bunch of articles in support of ratifying the Constitution... This was done individually by a few men. Today, its a great source to further understand the intricacies of the Constitution. However, what if Hamilton or Madison had 'blogged' their viewpoints and perspectives? What if others joined in, sharing their own respective feedback and thoughts? How further defined or detailed would the Constitution be, if at all? How would it have changed the course of history?
Would King have been able to create an early and more inspiring spark movement with the Civil Rights movement; would Gandhi had been able to rattle the British even earlier and created a more robust nation?
Or would it have worked against them?
Its interesting to see how news today does not alone come from the big corporations, sponsors, or 'paid' professionals. It also comes from regular people, like you and I, making the news more current, lively and pertinent to the world we live in. Blogging has if anything else, made the world an even smaller place to be in.... and a more connected place than ever....
Web 2.0
Web 2.0.... The next chapter in advancement and technology. I think I have mixed feelings. I look at kids today, and its a whole different world. Gen X as they fondly called, are perhaps a different group altogether, more inclined towards the future as well as the present, rather than the past as well. As is often said when reminiscing about the past, things were perhaps easier, time were simpler. When I was growing up, being sent to our rooms was in fact a measure of discipline. Today, kids look forward to being locked up in their respective rooms, as they are still wired to the outside world, equipped with all sorts of gadgets. In HS, when I had to write an actual paper, there was no luxury of simply heading to your laptop at all odd hours of the night. Nope. We had to either beg mom in return for some chores, or hope a friend passed their driving license to get a ride to the library. That was just the first stage. Then we had to remember all those notes of the Dewey decimal system to look up the book that seemed appropriate based on the one paragraph intro of the book. After that, finally finding the book, we had to quickly skim through the pages to see if it was what was we were actually looking for. Otherwise, continue with that process. And that was just stage one. Putting aside all the drafts and all, which mind you, was hand written, as again, we didnt have the luxury or convenience of technology back in the day. And knock wood, I am really not old... We then had to drag out our trusty typewriter with the whiteout beside it, and go at it. Tap, tap, tap... Hoping we didnt miss anything from the draft, otherwise, in many cases, that would be either starting all over or being creative...
But today, its a whole different world. And even though its been around for at least one generation or so, it ceases to amaze me. Kids really do have easy to an extent, which is arguable. As there is more problems, stress, tensions and issues not only in their own lives but in the world at large. Now discussions sadly also deal to a large extent with hate, terrorism, intolerance and confusion. Kids dont play in the backyards or wander through the woods unprotected. Those days are long gone.
However, todays kids are much more connected, tech-savy, well-versed for the most part and have a better grip. For them to write a paper, simply means going to their rooms, and with a few clicks of the keyboard, having the worlds experts literally at their fingertips.
And now, its Web 2.0...
Yesterday, either it didnt exist or was an expensive option to have a laptop for college. Today, its part of the costs involved. Yesterday, we had physical textbooks to refer to. Today, you have some of the greatest books right there in your laptop without the excess weight.
But when all of this started, there was very minimum study done on the effects, pros and cons of tech. While some Profs for instance, swear by it, and integrate it in their classrooms, others have labeled it as a trouble maker and an interference. Some have gone to the extent of banning it completely from their classrooms.
Take a look at this recent article from the Wash Post --- http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/08/AR2010030804915.html
Another older article can also be found at --- http://www.britannica.com/blogs/2008/10/why-i-ban-laptops-in-my-classroom/
An interesting perspective and conundrum. Without any doubt, there are a lot of pros and benefits to the technology that we are wrapped up with. It is such a great tool, to say the least, to assist us with teaching. But alas, as with anything else, there are also cons and areas that have given it a bad rep.
I am not sure what the answer is. However, its up to each individual teacher to not only incorporate tech seamlessly in their classroom, knowing how much to utilize and when to hold back. When to go the 'traditional route' and when to go at it 'new age'.
Todays kids are no doubt an interesting bunch of group. A different learning style, a new approach, a different perspective. Unlike the others before them, they have literally grown up submerged in the world of tech. So its no wonder, their minds work differently, and they view things differently and also go about things differently. Another recent article --- http://abcnews.go.com/WN/kids-electronics-study-shows-kids-spend-hours-day/story?id=9616699 -- states that kids today spent more than 75 hours -- yes 75 -- of media time. And that dosnt even include the cell phones!
So if this is a major media for them, its not as simple or even wise to just let go.... As it may be just the avenue needed to reach out to them, and provide the proper education they all deserve and need....
Thanks...
But today, its a whole different world. And even though its been around for at least one generation or so, it ceases to amaze me. Kids really do have easy to an extent, which is arguable. As there is more problems, stress, tensions and issues not only in their own lives but in the world at large. Now discussions sadly also deal to a large extent with hate, terrorism, intolerance and confusion. Kids dont play in the backyards or wander through the woods unprotected. Those days are long gone.
However, todays kids are much more connected, tech-savy, well-versed for the most part and have a better grip. For them to write a paper, simply means going to their rooms, and with a few clicks of the keyboard, having the worlds experts literally at their fingertips.
And now, its Web 2.0...
Yesterday, either it didnt exist or was an expensive option to have a laptop for college. Today, its part of the costs involved. Yesterday, we had physical textbooks to refer to. Today, you have some of the greatest books right there in your laptop without the excess weight.
But when all of this started, there was very minimum study done on the effects, pros and cons of tech. While some Profs for instance, swear by it, and integrate it in their classrooms, others have labeled it as a trouble maker and an interference. Some have gone to the extent of banning it completely from their classrooms.
Take a look at this recent article from the Wash Post --- http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/08/AR2010030804915.html
Another older article can also be found at --- http://www.britannica.com/blogs/2008/10/why-i-ban-laptops-in-my-classroom/
An interesting perspective and conundrum. Without any doubt, there are a lot of pros and benefits to the technology that we are wrapped up with. It is such a great tool, to say the least, to assist us with teaching. But alas, as with anything else, there are also cons and areas that have given it a bad rep.
I am not sure what the answer is. However, its up to each individual teacher to not only incorporate tech seamlessly in their classroom, knowing how much to utilize and when to hold back. When to go the 'traditional route' and when to go at it 'new age'.
Todays kids are no doubt an interesting bunch of group. A different learning style, a new approach, a different perspective. Unlike the others before them, they have literally grown up submerged in the world of tech. So its no wonder, their minds work differently, and they view things differently and also go about things differently. Another recent article --- http://abcnews.go.com/WN/kids-electronics-study-shows-kids-spend-hours-day/story?id=9616699 -- states that kids today spent more than 75 hours -- yes 75 -- of media time. And that dosnt even include the cell phones!
So if this is a major media for them, its not as simple or even wise to just let go.... As it may be just the avenue needed to reach out to them, and provide the proper education they all deserve and need....
Thanks...
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
A Journey to the Land of Cananda
I dont do blogs.... I mean really... Who would want to listen to my stories of all people... But here I am.
On avg... Its been -10 here. Thats Celsius which makes it around 14F. Thats another problem. I have to constantly log on to convert the daag meters and liters here... Or simply turn to my wife. Shes the one who can run numbers in her head, that too while standing on one leg, and watching tv.
So -10C of course is without the wind chill factor. WCF has the weatherman with a smirk but endearingly refers to it as. With the 'WCF' it then casually goes down to about -25C to -27C or so. Again thats 'C' which makes it around -13F. The most I can recall from the weather peeps in the NYC area is saying its going to be bitter as its head down to the teens... Dont think it hardly ever went below 0...
Whats also interesting is that when the weather does occasionally go up to -5C or so which is 23F (and which has occurred a mere few times so far), the weather guys have the audacity to call it a 'heat wave'. I am thinking to myself you got to be kidding me as I am still freezing, wondering if I should even get out of bed for yet another day... But then its truly a 'heat wave' for these locals. I am all bundled up and all, and as I look around, lo and behold, they are more people on the streets enjoying this 'heat wave' and are literally wearing a lighter jacket without the usual gloves and scarf...
Anyways... To add to misery.... People that I talked to have always in their kind and gentle ways, advised or warned me, depending how you look at it, to brace for it. I have been constantly told since Sept or Oct when the cold snap hit us, that this is nothing... I was like its -10, how worse can it get after all? They cautioned me that the worse days are in Feb till April and at times, a little beyond, as mother nature is always keen on telling us who really is in command here.... So of course, being from the other side of the border, where for us, the 'City' means NYC, after all, there cant be any other city in the world, and where we study geography for only a year or so, I thought they did not know what they were talking about....
After all, just a few weeks ago,after we brought our coffee from the local 'Tim Hortons' --- yes, Dunkin Donuts who? -- and headed over to the campus... After settling in her office, Tasneem texted me that she left her coffee in the car... I told her no prob, I will get it in a bit. Have to warm it up anyway, so whats the big deal if I get it now later, I thought to myself, wisely of course, at that time at least.. She calmly and rationally said okay, thats fine, knowing well my American soul, that we know whats right and what we are doing always... Not realizing what lies ahead, a few hours later, I finally go down to the car to get her coffee... As I attempt to pick it up from the console, there is a different funny type of feel to it.
I am thinking to myself, now whats this..... Looking close, and I could have sworn my American eyes got wider, I noticed that the daag coffee was forzen... Frozen, like really frozen! Like solid ice! I was like OMG, in a few hours, the cold which was nothing for the locals, did this to the daag coffee! Hows that possible, in a few hours? I could have sworn I have read on hypothermia that certain factors must be in place, and it has this certain temperature and what not... And here my wife's coffee in just a few hours, was a pack of ice... Of course, I was also amused. Perhaps at where my fate had brought me in the middle of the seals and moose. Yes, we are in an area, where from the coast, as our town is located on the river, we seldom see seals swimming by in the fall when the waters were not frozen... Pretty sure, they are sun bathing on the daag ice as we havnt rode up there in a while.. So, amazed at this phenomena, I took out my camera, to attempt to capture the essence of that situation... No luck really... I then sheepishly took back the coffee to my wife, who already knew what the outcome would be.... After all, she is the Doctorate in the family... I excitedly like a child told her what happened as she tried to calm me down, saying yes, thats what happens in these temperatures..
I should have known... After all, when we took a ferry to one of the many islands here, I noticed the scheduled said that the ferry ran only till end of Oct. So, I inquisitively asked the captain what do the people do after winter if they have to go or come back? He amusingly said to me, oh!, it gets real easy then! They just walk back and forth as they please.... I was like daag yo! Never seen the Hudson River freeze like that...
Anyway, as I was getting up, and hearing on the news that the groundhog saw its shadow, I also remembered that we had entered the month of Feb. Yesterday, wasnt so bad, so how bad can it be. I mean really. How much would the locals know? Well... There was Lisa on TV. Thats one of our local weather people, as she told us that today, it was -17C. I was like wait did I hear that right? -17C. And that too Celsius! I quickly called my wife over who was making tea, to quickly convert for me, so I can figure out how cold it was.... She told me it was around 1F. I was like woah.... And as I was thinking that that prob dosnt even include the 'WCF', Lisa, the weather girl, as if she was reading my mind, quickly pointed out to us viewers, that the WFC right now is at about -35C to -40C... I look over to my dear wife like a wounded puppy to just give it to me like man... Tell me how much that really is... I can take it.... Let the reality set in. She slowly told me, as I cringed like the child on a Dentist's chair, that it was about -31C to -40C.... In other words, it was now all balanced out...
I am not sure how I was able to crawl out of bed hearing that this morning. Those memories are very faint now.... So I got ready as did my wife..... As you may know, I dont blow dry my hair. No. Men dont do that... Real men that is... Metros maybe.. The only people I know who blow dry their hair is Brad Pitt... Not me. Thats not for me... Well, as we walked across the parking lot to our car, which was only a few feet away or so..... I noticed as we got in the car, that my wet hair started feeling 'heavy'.. Just a bit... I was like what the heck is going on now... So very cooly, I attempted to brush my hair with my hands, like Gregory Peck, and yet, my hand couldnt move across my hair... Why? Why you ask? I will tell you why! In this frigid weather, where according to a groundhog, we have six more weeks of, which is a joke --- I laugh at that btw! -- my hair was literally frozen as well in just a few mere minutes. Frozen I tell you! How is that possible?! I cant ever remember that ever happening in my great state of Jersey. How can that be? Like the pack of wolves gnawing on their prized prey, the unsympathetic frigid brutal artic cold of Canada viciously munched away at my sensitive hair...
I sit in my car, as it warms up, looking up at the sky all amused, with my full set of great but frozen hair.... Frozen hair...What can I tell you..... Me and my frozen hair.... It adds a whole new dimension to the word 'cool'...
Welcome to the northern frontiers....
=
On avg... Its been -10 here. Thats Celsius which makes it around 14F. Thats another problem. I have to constantly log on to convert the daag meters and liters here... Or simply turn to my wife. Shes the one who can run numbers in her head, that too while standing on one leg, and watching tv.
So -10C of course is without the wind chill factor. WCF has the weatherman with a smirk but endearingly refers to it as. With the 'WCF' it then casually goes down to about -25C to -27C or so. Again thats 'C' which makes it around -13F. The most I can recall from the weather peeps in the NYC area is saying its going to be bitter as its head down to the teens... Dont think it hardly ever went below 0...
Whats also interesting is that when the weather does occasionally go up to -5C or so which is 23F (and which has occurred a mere few times so far), the weather guys have the audacity to call it a 'heat wave'. I am thinking to myself you got to be kidding me as I am still freezing, wondering if I should even get out of bed for yet another day... But then its truly a 'heat wave' for these locals. I am all bundled up and all, and as I look around, lo and behold, they are more people on the streets enjoying this 'heat wave' and are literally wearing a lighter jacket without the usual gloves and scarf...
Anyways... To add to misery.... People that I talked to have always in their kind and gentle ways, advised or warned me, depending how you look at it, to brace for it. I have been constantly told since Sept or Oct when the cold snap hit us, that this is nothing... I was like its -10, how worse can it get after all? They cautioned me that the worse days are in Feb till April and at times, a little beyond, as mother nature is always keen on telling us who really is in command here.... So of course, being from the other side of the border, where for us, the 'City' means NYC, after all, there cant be any other city in the world, and where we study geography for only a year or so, I thought they did not know what they were talking about....
After all, just a few weeks ago,after we brought our coffee from the local 'Tim Hortons' --- yes, Dunkin Donuts who? -- and headed over to the campus... After settling in her office, Tasneem texted me that she left her coffee in the car... I told her no prob, I will get it in a bit. Have to warm it up anyway, so whats the big deal if I get it now later, I thought to myself, wisely of course, at that time at least.. She calmly and rationally said okay, thats fine, knowing well my American soul, that we know whats right and what we are doing always... Not realizing what lies ahead, a few hours later, I finally go down to the car to get her coffee... As I attempt to pick it up from the console, there is a different funny type of feel to it.
I am thinking to myself, now whats this..... Looking close, and I could have sworn my American eyes got wider, I noticed that the daag coffee was forzen... Frozen, like really frozen! Like solid ice! I was like OMG, in a few hours, the cold which was nothing for the locals, did this to the daag coffee! Hows that possible, in a few hours? I could have sworn I have read on hypothermia that certain factors must be in place, and it has this certain temperature and what not... And here my wife's coffee in just a few hours, was a pack of ice... Of course, I was also amused. Perhaps at where my fate had brought me in the middle of the seals and moose. Yes, we are in an area, where from the coast, as our town is located on the river, we seldom see seals swimming by in the fall when the waters were not frozen... Pretty sure, they are sun bathing on the daag ice as we havnt rode up there in a while.. So, amazed at this phenomena, I took out my camera, to attempt to capture the essence of that situation... No luck really... I then sheepishly took back the coffee to my wife, who already knew what the outcome would be.... After all, she is the Doctorate in the family... I excitedly like a child told her what happened as she tried to calm me down, saying yes, thats what happens in these temperatures..
I should have known... After all, when we took a ferry to one of the many islands here, I noticed the scheduled said that the ferry ran only till end of Oct. So, I inquisitively asked the captain what do the people do after winter if they have to go or come back? He amusingly said to me, oh!, it gets real easy then! They just walk back and forth as they please.... I was like daag yo! Never seen the Hudson River freeze like that...
Anyway, as I was getting up, and hearing on the news that the groundhog saw its shadow, I also remembered that we had entered the month of Feb. Yesterday, wasnt so bad, so how bad can it be. I mean really. How much would the locals know? Well... There was Lisa on TV. Thats one of our local weather people, as she told us that today, it was -17C. I was like wait did I hear that right? -17C. And that too Celsius! I quickly called my wife over who was making tea, to quickly convert for me, so I can figure out how cold it was.... She told me it was around 1F. I was like woah.... And as I was thinking that that prob dosnt even include the 'WCF', Lisa, the weather girl, as if she was reading my mind, quickly pointed out to us viewers, that the WFC right now is at about -35C to -40C... I look over to my dear wife like a wounded puppy to just give it to me like man... Tell me how much that really is... I can take it.... Let the reality set in. She slowly told me, as I cringed like the child on a Dentist's chair, that it was about -31C to -40C.... In other words, it was now all balanced out...
I am not sure how I was able to crawl out of bed hearing that this morning. Those memories are very faint now.... So I got ready as did my wife..... As you may know, I dont blow dry my hair. No. Men dont do that... Real men that is... Metros maybe.. The only people I know who blow dry their hair is Brad Pitt... Not me. Thats not for me... Well, as we walked across the parking lot to our car, which was only a few feet away or so..... I noticed as we got in the car, that my wet hair started feeling 'heavy'.. Just a bit... I was like what the heck is going on now... So very cooly, I attempted to brush my hair with my hands, like Gregory Peck, and yet, my hand couldnt move across my hair... Why? Why you ask? I will tell you why! In this frigid weather, where according to a groundhog, we have six more weeks of, which is a joke --- I laugh at that btw! -- my hair was literally frozen as well in just a few mere minutes. Frozen I tell you! How is that possible?! I cant ever remember that ever happening in my great state of Jersey. How can that be? Like the pack of wolves gnawing on their prized prey, the unsympathetic frigid brutal artic cold of Canada viciously munched away at my sensitive hair...
I sit in my car, as it warms up, looking up at the sky all amused, with my full set of great but frozen hair.... Frozen hair...What can I tell you..... Me and my frozen hair.... It adds a whole new dimension to the word 'cool'...
Welcome to the northern frontiers....
Friday, January 22, 2010
I guess those days of having your mom physically drop you off at the local library are long gone, along with the cassette plays and typewriters.
It’s definitely not Kansas anymore. Where has the time gone? It was just yesterday, I remember figuring out how to work my new Atari game system back in the 80’s. After that, it was the Commode 64.
And now I wake up to a whole new digital world, and something called Web 2.0.Wait! Was there even a Web 1.0. I don’t remember getting any memos in that regards!
It is said that this Web 2.0 crept up back in 2004. Personally, the only thing I remember from that year is watching Passion of Christ in the theaters, and I believe Reagan also died.
So what is this Web 2.0, what does it have to do with me, and why does it affect my life? I thought I was happy and content as it is without this so-called Web 2.0.
Well, what other better place than the reliable Wikipedia to find an answer.
Here is what it says:
“The term "Web 2.0" (2004–present) is commonly associated with web applications that facilitate interactive information sharing, interoperability, user-centered design and collaboration on the World Wide Web. Examples of Web 2.0 include web-based communities, hosted services, web applications, social-networking sites, video-sharing sites, wikis, blogs, mashups and folksonomies. A Web 2.0 site allows its users to interact with other users or to change website content, in contrast to non-interactive websites where users are limited to the passive viewing of information that is provided to them.”
Hmmm. That seems like a lot of words there. That’s a huge definition. So basically from what I understand, is that using all the advanced technology that we all have currently being using, and in a way interlinking them to an extent, to make our online and digital life more simple.
That’s not too bad. That actually may be helpful when you think about it.
It seems as if this Web 2.0 can be applied to many aspects of our lives be it education or even for say charities.
Basically, it seems as if the main difference about this ‘new version’ is the source of information that gets on to the web. Prior to Web 2.0, that world was in essence an online version of hard copy materials. It was gathered together in one place to produce an online version. So it was just one side that was doing all the work.
Now, with Web 2.0, users also join in the fun, make an effort and are a part of that information process.
From what it seems, Web 2.0 should not be viewed as just another term for the experts to casually throw at us. As you read this, Web 2.0 is indeed changing the way we interact and do things online. In other words, this is one world we don’t want to leave behind. In other words, we don’t want to be left behind. This is one boat we cant afford to miss.
This is especially true for those who want to a make a difference in society be it teachers and educators or volunteers or those who want to keep ahead of the competition like businesses and research work.
I mentioned Wikipedia above which helped me in my little ‘research’ here. This is perhaps one of the greatest examples of Web 2.0. Here is where the contributors are you and I. Not just one sided with some guy enclosed high in some office room.
So this opens a whole new door of opportunities for all of us. Web 2.0 can ensure our face is on the map of the world, online at least.
Youtube is perhaps another great example. Last year, there was a consumer who simply was not getting anywhere with her financial institution. They simply would not budge. No problem. The next thing we all witness, is her video on Youtube expressing her situation. There were thousands of hits. Did the company respond? You bet. It was a nightmare for them. They have to their PR word into overdrive to rectify this situation.
Wow. What a difference time makes. It was just yesterday, we had to actually sit down, write down our concerns find a stamp and envelope, and mail the darn thing. Usually that got lost in the sea of snail mail. But today, bang! Its instant! Now the general public has control and maybe the upper hand.
Teachers and educators can especially unleash the potential and possibilities of the Web 2.0 to impart a new world of education for the bright minds. The list is endless! Teaching is now definitely interactive.
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