This just in...

Apparently Apple has a new app for the iphone...
Through the new app you can download directions to any payphone in the world...

pause

Yep.
From your cell phone you can find a payphone anywhere.

Brilliant.

Glogging

Boy says "Mom, blogging is so yesterday.  We're glogging now."
Glogging?  Kinda sounds like the way I describe a backed-up sink to DH.

Boy learned to Glog on the first day of school.  He is so keen on it, that he's done his glog homework every night without being asked.  And I have to admit, it's pretty cool.

Glogging is like making a one-page poster that can include all types of media -- pictures, video, clipart, text, sound, and data.  You have colour, font, sizing, graphic options by the hundreds.  It is a bit addictive.

Boy taught me, so I taught my Grade 6s today. Already they know way more than I do, and I had about a 19 hour jump on their learning....

When I get my first glog done (I'm slow) I'll link it to this blog.  ....Even if the blog is old news.

PS  If you are keen google "Glogster" and get started.

phone crazy

I got a Blackberry about 3 weeks ago, then I lost my mind. I used to have an old flip phone. I didn't text with it, 'cause I couldn't figure out how to erase if I made a mistake. When I did text it was only to DH, and he learned to read around my typos. That worked for us, 'cause I had to do the same thing when he sent me a text.
In my bid to become more technologically relevant I headed to Rogers to get an iPhone (I NEEDED those Apps!) but the gal there convinced me that the iPhone was for "play" and the Blackberry was for "work." Since I was justifying the purchase as being NECESSARY for work, I had to go with the Blackberry. I am impressed with how easy it has been to learn to use.

Now, how did I lose my mind? I first noticed the insanity when I had to carry it around with me at ALL times. It comes with a holder that clips to the waistband of my pants. That meant I could no longer wear my dresses or jumpers (no place to clip the Blackberry...) My old phone stayed in my purse -- I often missed calls (DH is the only one who called me, and when I noticed I'd missed the call, either I was already home and talking to him, or I called back. Easy) Now when the phone rings, I jump. My blood rushes. It's for me. It's still only DH, but I really like the ring tone....
I also get a weird thrill when I get an email, or text. I feel the little vibrate (not THAT kind of a thrill) and I get excited that someone has something to say to me. I try REALLY hard not to check right away -- I learned that's poor Blackberry etiquette -- but I check as soon as socially appropriate.
I was wearing Blackberry on the band of my trackpants at home, whilest doing the cleaning. I came to my senses when I nearly dropped the thing in the toilet. Note to self -- do NOT check emails and clean the can at the same time....
Told ya -- crazy!

followers

So I've been on Twitter for a couple of weeks now, and I've joined my board Admin Ning. If I count those activities with this blog I have 23 people "following" me. Me! They are following me. Now I know about most of you who join me on this blog once and awhile. I know who you are, and I know the folks in the Ning, but the Twitter folks -- don't know them. Don't really know how they found me. It's a bit freaky, being followed that is. I feel great pressure to appear wise, to post "good stuff." What I really ought to do is email them and tell the followers that they really should find someone who knows what they are doing. I'm just learning. Mostly I "retweet" 'cause I can't think of anything to post of my own. The blog suits me better, I can ramble and explain. I'm not one who can usually articulate the meat of the point in 140 characters or less.

On the other hand, I'm finding it quite flattering to see my Twitter follow list growing. I had a real fat head about it 'til I checked out one of my followers. Apparently he has nothing to do but follow and tweet, because he is following 15000 people. That is not a typo...15000 people. So, I'm not a special tweeter, I'm one of thousands, and he clearly does not discriminate well.

One of my ning friends asked how often I go on Twitter. I replied with a phrase I never thought I'd say outloud. I said "I tweet nightly, and you?"

Twitter

Steep, steep learning curve. Thought Twitter was a waste of time -- who can say anything in less than 140 characters? My Tech. conference on the weekend changed my mind.
Yes, it can be a waste of time, and very silly tweets about what you are doing -- "going to the bathroom now." And I fail to see the value of following a celebrity...
BUT, here's what I learned. Twitter is a really cool way to find information and to have other people filter information for you. If I was researching in university again I would be ALL over this. The trick (that I have yet to figure out completely) is to find really good (as in smart and well-read) people to follow. They post articles, information and questions to challenge/change/increase your thinking. Twitter links can be links to articles and videos.
My current interest is to see if I can learn this Twitter-thing so I can teach students how to make use of it, not just to natter at friends, but to help with school work. So, like I discovered with blogging, it's best to just jump in and start Tweeting. My goal is to learn one new thing about or from Twitter every day. If you want to follow my progress you can find me on Twitter @kaboyd1

Here I go....tweet, tweet, tweet