Text Messages and Driving

Over the semester we've discussed all the good that has come from technology, but with this new medium comes a need for responsibility. Society must come to an understanding of when the use these tech tools is or is not appropriate.

Let's "dumb down" our gadgets all the way to cell phones and texting, just for the sake of my little rant here.

A few months ago I had lunch with my college's women's soccer coach, he is a tech savvy guy who loves texting and emailing from his blackberry. The entire meal he had his fork in his right hand and his phone in his left, and would stop eating and talking every few minutes to text or email...I ended up getting frustrated and asking him if his life was really that busy. I don't think he even realized he was being rude...and annoying. And he's not alone. How often have you seen people in line at a store talking on their phone while the cashier is assisting with their check-out? How often have you been at a movie theater and someone begins texting or accepts a call (go to a matinee for a children's movie and you'll know what I am talking about). How many times have you been in a store and overheard a conversation because the individual on the phone was speaking so loud? These acts should be considered socially unacceptable, yet we we are constantly witnesses of these actions. Every time I get a new clinical student to supervise I must stress my dissatisfaction of constant text messages, phone calls, and now emails.

And now the most pressing issue, texting and driving. Have you ever been in a car while someone was texting? Have you ever been driving and sent a text? If so, you need to watch this link: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/32184212#32184212

You will learn that texting while driving is actually 23% more dangerous than being intoxicated behind the wheel. You wouldn't dare place yourself in a situation where you were the passenger of a car being driven by someone who is drunk, but you may sit back as your driver sends a "quick" text or email. I'm not going to ramble on about this subject, but please do watch the clip...and notice the number of people you see using their phones to text or email while driving. Maybe we can't change how inept our society is when it comes to social graces, but at least we can contribute by exemplifying what should be the norm...and not what actually is.

Long story short, if your life is so busy and important to need to text while driving...pull over and text away...after all whoever you needed to respond to would rather you arrive late than not arrive at all.

Another Blog

What am I thinking? Great question.

I've thought about beginning a blog to discuss my adventures in learning about wine and wine making. So, this evening I did just that...created a blog where I plan to discuss the various wines I try, places I go sampling wine, and experience I have making and tasting this potable. Feel free to follow the new blog by going to http://motteandbaileycellars.blogspot.com/.

Tracking the Swine Flu

This evening I posted a comment on Twitter about the cold I contracted over the weekend. I am feeling awful, but I am sure it is a head and chest cold. Anyhow, a few minutes after making my comment I decided to see what people were saying about the Swine Flu by going to a blog that follows tweets regarding the disease. Guess what, I made the blog. You can click on the picture to see my comment as a screen cap...how cool is that?

You're right, its not very cool at all...man my life is boring.

As easy as 1, 2, 3

Why are social networks so great? Because you can make loads of money and become famous...easy as 1, 2, 3!

Here is the game plan:

1: Join a social networking site
2: ?
3: Make MONEY!!!

How easy was that?

Simple right? However, what if the fame you gain can one day come back to haunt you? What if your notoriety is not what you would want your spouse or children to see? What if your fame actually hinders your potential for employment? (I've always wondered what happens to these reality "stars" once the cameras are turned off. Seriously, are any of the individuals from "Rock of Love Bus" or even "The Bachelor" employable?)

Alas, back to the point at hand. If you have a niche you can become famous...or infamous. Below is an example of how one person became famous for her blog, a story (and link) to a video of a class on becoming famous, and an individual who I think will find a book deal from his Tweets.

In 2002, blogger Julie Powell's challenged herself to cook all the recipes in Julia Child's first book "Mastering the Art of French Cooking." Her blog grew in popularity and Mrs. Powell was given a book deal. Next, her story was given a movie contract. Yes, there were some changes to the book, the screen writers added Julia Child to their version. However, the world still got to see and learn the story of two famous women; Julie Powell, played by Amy Adams, and Julia Child, played by Meryl Streep in the movie "Julie & Julia".

Congrats to Mrs. Powell.

Here is a link to a video from youtube that discusses a course called Internet Famous. In it, a college professor explains that the course grade depends solely on the number of hits the students get on their social networking sites. The clip features a student named Andrew who discusses his method of becoming famous, doing silly pranks such as riding a bike through Manhattan in just a thong or dressing as a banker and begging for money outside of the NY Stock Exchange. Sure, the pranks are funny...but what can he do with that fame if it comes? How can he use his skills to find a career? And can his pranks come back to haunt him in the future? Maybe we'll never know.

What scares me most about this video is that the instructor encourages and advises the student to continue. Has our society gone daft? How is it that "fame" comes from acting like a fool, releasing scandalous tapes, or being "over the top". Do something that gets reactions, make sure its video taped, post the video, and get others to talk about it on their social network sites.

Finally, I want to call your attention to a Twitter account. I honestly think this guy will someday get a book deal (if he hasn't already). I don't know his name, or where he lives...but he (and his father) may be geniuses. The author to the Twitter is a 29 year old male who lives with his 73 year old Father and simply tweets the "sh!t" his Dad says.

I must warn you: There is vulgarity in nearly ALL of his Tweets. But, if you can handle the profanity just enough to look deeper into the account you will notice that the first tweet was written on August 3rd...as of this evening (Sept 24th), the author has accrued over 279,000 followers. If he has that many people noticing his account in only a month and a half, how many people will be following his tweets in 6 months (if he can keep up his tweets)? I'd think someone would end up giving him a book deal...don't you?

Squinting

How hard must I squint to see the light at the end of the tunnel?


This week has been incredibly difficult. I feel like everything is perpetual, and that nothing at all will end. As I complete one thing, two more assignments, readings, committees, issues or meetings pop up. I realized yesterday that I still have 3 months of course work...I hope I have the strength to maintain.

As I reflect back on the last two years, I realize that this time of year is always busy. My job has me at work late and on weekends; I accustomed to it, I guess, or at least I should be by now. So what's different? Initially I thought it was the 9 credits I'm taking...then I realized I've had 9 credits every fall since beginning my doctoral program. So what's different?

I think about the number of doctoral students who have completed their course work but fail to complete their dissertation...I wonder why that is? Is it the need for some sort of separation from academics, is it a need for personal time that has been lost, is it disinterest in the subject/topic, or is it complete burn out?

I hope I can figure out where there is a difference so that I may address it.

Plugging Along

It's been a long few weeks. Yesterday was my first day off in 28 days. I spent the day helping construct a garage door.

My homework is moving along. I've felt lost as to what we are to do exactly. However, I've gained some info from my fellow cohort members. (There has been many occasions were members of the cohort have clarified aspects of various courses...If you've never been a member of a cohort, it is quite nice, we all work for, support, encourage and learn with each other.)

As I completed this past week's readings, I've realized that there are more benefits and conflicts to accreditation standards than what is on the surface (or at least what I've found to be on the surface). Some surface issues (if you wanted to know) include required standards such specific numbers of faculty members, the availability to certain equipment, and the need for yearly reports and documentation.

The deeper benefits and conflicts include the completion specific curricular guidelines, and the difficulty involved with designing courses to meet the needs of all learners and still complete such a ridged curricula. However, the extent of our assessment practices is a feather in our cap.

Actually Using Technology

Thanks to my technology class I've decided to venture out of my comfort zone. I've required students enrolled in my Practicum courses to keep a journal of their clinical experiences. Originally the idea was to give them an opportunity to reflect back on their semester of both didactic and clinical education. However, I realized that students could assist one another with their education by making suggestions and reading about other students' experiences. So, I decided to create a wiki for the class using the college's Angel Learning Management System. It was actually quite easy to do, and I was able to limit it to the members of the course (thanks to Angel).
Yesterday I spoke to the students about confidentiality and how I did not want to see any names of patients, coaches, or fellow students in their posts...however, I do want to read about their impressions/feelings of situations they encounter. I also encouraged them to make suggestions to each other in regards to treatments, rehabilitations, and injury evaluation methods.
I required each student to post a weekly reflection of their clinical experience as well as a comment about how they revisited the upcoming week's topic of discussion prior to class on Thursday. (The practicum courses are designed to reiterate information discussed in a formal setting earlier in the students' academic career.)
It is my hope that the students will gain a greater sense of the profession through their dialog...and perhaps the best part of the wiki is that each student will be able to reflect back on their own experience as well as the comments made by their classmates and myself.
Throughout the semester I will keep you abreast of how my weekly wiki impacts/changes the course. If you have any suggestions...let me know.

You can also screen cap just one single window by using Alt + Print Screen.

This is today's workout...3.25 miles, 768 calories!

Example of a screen cap

This is a screen cap showing a book from Amazon and yesterday's run result using nike+ ipod. I am hoping to hit the 500 mile marker soon.