Monthly Archives:February 2006

Paul over at Chasing Dragons got me to thinking today with this question:

‘just thinking about businesses that have not been able to evolve into something else and wondering how that might apply to education. Any thoughts???

And, my answer in his comments just got longer and longer so I brought it over here:

. . . well, we are of the “old school” also. And, while all of the modern conveniences are really neat, cool, awesome (and all those other 60’s type words – for I am a dinosaur, too) I think we are losing a lot, too. Youngsters today (those under 40) have an “I want it NOW” mentality and that is what is fueling bigger, better, faster technology. Again – that is not all bad. But – look at what we are losing in order to gain all those things.

The era of my parents was post-Depression (youngsters say “wha??”).

My father never went past 6th grade because he needed to help feed his 12 brothers and sisters, his Ma and Da and a grandmother and great grandmother. (big Irish family) He worked with his hands and his back until the drink got him.

My mother was educated – unusual for women in those days, perhaps, she graduated from a Christian college/seminary. And then she met dad, had children, and broke body and soul taking care of us by working in a hospital laundry.

sorry – I digress.

Hubby took printing classes in high school through a technology program and learned a trade because he was told he would not make it in college. He worked for others until we moved to Alaska in 78 and we bought our own shop – complete with photo-typesetter, Paul, although there was still ONE hot lead setter in the area at the time.

We raised our girls with no insurance and low take-home with that shop. Sold it in October – because everybody wants bigger, better, faster work. Never mind that copy stuff washes away in the rain – fades – etc. Give it to me now.

My point, I guess – is that while education is great – families can make it without. While technology is wonderful – what happens in that far distant (hopefully) future when it all goes down to that big virus in the sky and we have lost all of our non-technical skills?

Stop laughing, younguns, it could happen.

We need to somehow keep our physical/technical skills alive at the same time that we advance menta/technical skills.

Does that make any sense to anyone but me at this early hour on a Saturday morning?

I don’t write much about work situations here. And, if you knew what type of?agency I worked for you would really understand my hesitancy to do so. Besides all that, it is just not a great idea I guess.

But I would like to share this – out of the blue I was asked to take on a bit more responsibility over the next several months. I’ll be flying up to anchortown next Tuesday to attend a 3 day “training the trainers” workshop. After that I will work with someone from another agency in our community to facilitate two area-wide trainings on the material we will have learned.

BIG step for me. I enjoy my little office and what I do on a normal basis, and I enjoy public speaking – about things I know. So, this is a stretch. My boss says I can do it (the fact that there really was nobody else available to attend the training is beside the point – really). And it is nice to feel that leap of faith.

So – I’ll be scarce next week.

Oh – and scarce the following week, too, as that is the week that The Boy and I fly off to DC with his 8th grade history teacher and fellow students. Twelve 13-14 year old boys and girls, two chaperones and two adult students. (I am in that latter category). The Boy is looking forward to going and, even sweeter, he is looking forward to going with me. How very cool is that!

So – time lines – Anchorage from the 28-2. Drive back? up the 4th and fly out the 5th to DC – back to Anchorage the 11th and drive home with Lessa who will bring the car up to us. Thankfully I remembered in time to request it, I asked for two more days off work so won’t have to go back to the office until the 15th.

When I will have to meet with my boss and report on what I learned at the three day training back at the first of the month.

I’d better take good notes, huh?

>..<

p.s. Hubby and I attended a “sweetheart banquet” tonight (my church schedules such things on that odd once in awhile week when ALL of our men are home from the Slope or other such workplaces). He doesn’t go to things “churchy” so I was pleasantly surprised? when he said he would go tonight. We had a very nice time – and I am still tasting the prime rib. (we don’t eat beef at home, so it is a treat when I get it) And, the apple dumpling for dessert? To die for, darling, to die for. Yum.

(sing it with me now . . . )?

Feathers to the left of me

Bipedals to the right

here I am

stuck in the middle with you

and the Moosettes sincerely apologize to Stealers Wheel?and Bob Dylan.

(grrrr – the Dylan link has POP-UPS!)

Brookston Photo Hunt?

A Directional Sign ?

Scavenger Hunt Challenge #1, Week 8 of 13
Week beginning 2.18.06
Photos Due by 2.24.06

BONUS POINTS AVAILABLE:

1 pt. if your sign is an official road sign.

humor points available if Jay laughs – 😉

I think life is starting to catch up with me – I am tired! But it has been lovely to see babies and their birthdays – and oldest daughter just turned a?bit older, too. Mr. Moosie and I took her out for a birthday dinner – all by herself – no kiddos – complete with margarita and sombrero and Happy Birthday dear Pancha. 😉

Now we are continuing the mad birthday rush . . . youngest daughter will celebrate hers on the 26th. Do you think we have enough birthdays in February? I think so, too. You’ll notice, mine is in January! and the Boy’s date is in March.

In fact, he will celebrate his birthday while we are in Washington, D.C. Yup, Nana Moosie has a bit of something up her sleeve!

Have had a new “other duties to be assigned” duty added to my list at work. Will be in Anchorage for a three day training next week. Come back home on Thursday (flying up and back on their ticket!) and have Friday to do last minute laundry and packing. Lessa, the Boy and I will drive back up to Anchorage on Saturday morning, spend the night, and he and I will meet his teacher and group at the airport Sunday morning bright and early.

We’ll have a whirlwind trip, hosted by World Strides. And, it looks like we will get to see a professional basketball game while there – Wizards vs Celtics! However, we are flying Northwest, so they had best settle down and fly straight. 😉 I’m glad I bought the travel insurance when I hear all this talk of bankruptcy and informational picketing!

So, here’s a bit of a riddle for you. What are two of the best places in which to fall if you want good care afterwards? Sure – a hospital or your chiropractor’s office. Friday it was the latter. Their parking lot was full, so I went down the hill to park in the back “employee”?lot. There has been a lot of melting and such around here lately. There was a very large icy “runoff” area. I sidestepped to avoid it, stepped onto snow and discovered that it was slick – new snow on icy run-off don’t make a good mix! Down I went – onto my right elbow mostly. At least that is what is bruised.

The worst part? I wasn’t able to get back up! Couldn’t get my feet under me. So I had to crawl – yes, you read that right – CRAWL backwards to a spot that had slushy snow and I could get purchase with hands and feet and get vertical again. How embarassing! Have no clue why the folks in the next building didn’t call out or rush out to inquire if I was okay – or SOMETHING! But, nooooooooooooooooooooo! Imagine my shock if I see this lovely bit of aerial dynamics displayed in the future on World’s Funniest Videos!

But, at least I wasn’t scored.

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Like last night’s ice dancers.

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Ouch!

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