Daily Archives: February 25, 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.