And here I sit. It’s already August 4th, I’ve been back in the lab for just over a day, and I ask myself… Where did July go?

I remember it vaguely. My friend, Marie Booz, was named as the new elementary technology coordinator for my group. There was something about painting the music room and the stairwell of my town house. A few days of fun with my son, Kyle, and his wife, Kelly, who came to visit from Texas (we ate more seafood in 8 days than I have eaten all year!). Being introduced to Wii Monopoly. Spending time in Second Life as Harryhausen Steampunk (see my blog avatar), renting some virtual land and setting up a house there with my wife’s SL alter-ego, Gator Beeswing.  Taking care of my wife, Karon, as she recovered from hand surgery. My sister-in-law, Sharon, getting the Computer Resource Specialist position at Parkway Elementary, after 25 years as a classroom teacher (THAT was an exciting day). Recording and editing the Navy retirement of a friend of mine from church, and the very nice wedding and LOUD reception for a couple from Maryland.  My weekly work with recording and editing my church’s worship services.

Now I am back at school. Working on my CRS conference presentations, working with our principal and AP on how some of our resources will be redeployed in the building. Fielding questions from my sis-in-law as she learns the ropes of her new job.

The principal asked me yesterday if I had a restful summer. Without thinking, I told him I didn’t remember exactly resting.  Honestly, coming back to the lab is a nice change of pace, and actually feels like I get to slow down a little — until Thursday, that is, when the conference starts.

I hope to pay a little more attention to my blog this year. You’re welcome to tune in from time to time.

My wife, Karon,  and I chose to see UP in 2D, which looked terrific at our theater. I consciously chose not to see it in 3D, as many reviews felt the colors were muted. At some point, I may try th 3D, but as it was, we were happy with 2D.

The movie UP is incredibly emotional and exciting, and extremely entertaining.

However, we really have a problem with the folks who say this is the “funniest” Pixar movies ever. While it had many funny, inventive creations (the dogs, all of them, were just hysterical – one scene at dinner comes to mind when Muntz uses a word in conversation that sent the dogs into a frenzy. My dogs go crazy at the same word. Also, listen closely when the biplane flying dog bites its steering mechanism. Priceless.), the heavy, and I mean HEAVY scenes (Carl and Ellie’s montage, Russell’s conversation about his father, the scene where Muntz suddenly becomes suspicious of Carl and Russell) took you to the other extreme emotionally. My wife, bless her heart, said she has never had her chain yanked in a Pixar movie like she did at this one.

Another thing for parents of younger kids – This is NOT a children’s film, despite the fact it is animated and has a child as one of the main characters. Most previous Pixar films (with the exception of The Incredibles and Wall*E) were written with more of a kid’s audience in minds.  This movie is written at a more adult level with things in it kids will enjoy.

The adventure action in this puts most other family adventure movies to shame. And the bad guy puts the kid in REAL danger once things get going. There were several scenes that, even in 2D, really had us on the edge of our seats.

This is also the first Pixar movie, I think, that has focused on the blood associated with injuries (although the two instances are brief, but I think put there to make a point, like in the Incredibles when Mom tells the kids “These people will kill you.”)

All-in-all a great movie experience. Pixar has come a LONGGG way since Toy Story, and it’s great that they have the freedom to really UP the ante. I cannot WAIT to see what they are going to do with JOHN CARTER OF MARS!

Last time I posted, it was in February, and now here it is – May!  May is a great month. I got married in May, and my wife, Karon, and I are celebrating 28 years of happiness together, all month long!

May is a great month for weddings. I have a side business, Videorr Media Productions, and I already have 3 weddings scheduled to shoot for the month. It’s rewarding to be present as a couple start new lives together, and the extra money is nice, too.

May is also SOL month, and like others, getting ready for the tests have a significant impact on the school day.  Between preparing for SOL Olympics, facilitating/proctoring mock online testing, and all of the other strategies used to prepare students, things have really been hopping.

And speaking of hopping, time to close this rambling tome. Classes are coming, and those computer activities aren’t going to click on themselves, now are they?

Hey, well, hmmmm. It’s Monday already. I am currently sitting in a Second Life introductary session, presented by fellow CRSs Kim Harrison and Al Doss, and a host of others. I actually had time to go on line this morning and create my own avatar, Harryhausen Steampunk, who looks nothing like me. I’m hoping that before the end of VSTE, I will actually make my way to VSTE island to hang with my peers.

Yesterday is kind of a blur. After my wife, Karon, and I finished our volunteer time in the registration booth,  we went to a Discovery Education session about digital storytelling. A lot of good ideas, and a look at the basic goals and guidelines for effective digital storytelling projects.

The keynote address was by educator Dr. Tim Tyson, who had one of the most interesting high-tech presentations I have ever seen.

Following the keynote, Karon, her sister and I were fortunate to be invited to a Discovery Education sponsored get together at Jillians at Norfolk’s Waterside. We enjoyed a nice dinner, and got to play a few video games, courtesy of Discovery Ed.  Thanks to Katie K. for including us in the evening!

More to come!

Attending my first session with Steven Fisher, a computer resource specialist at Bayside Elementary in Virginia Beach.  He’s talking about Google Docs, Google Reader, and Google Earth.  Google Docs is great for collaborative braining storming and other projects. I use Google Reader (an RSS aggregator) to keep track of all of my favorite news and blog sites. Google Earth is a terrific tool for social studies, science, math, even language arts.

Time to get ready for my volunteer time!  Later!

We are here! Karon, Sharon and I arrived about 30 minutes ago, after spending the morning at church. After picking up our registration bags and getting our volunteer beads and shirts, we grabbed a cafe table to eat our lunch and set up our laptops.  In a few minutes, we should be heading upstairs to look around, check out the Virginia Beach room, and attend our first session. Karon and Sharon are going to the first timers session, and I’ll be heading to Steven Fisher’s What Can Google Do For You session.  Follow me on Twitter – SteveBFW. Check out all posts for #vste09 More to come!

Of course, a few of us are meeting at the Virginia Beach Convention Center in a few hours to stuff goodie bags for all the VSTE 2009 attendees. I expect to see a lot of my Twitter cohorts and other computer resources friends there!  Also, my wife, Karon (who works as a long-term substitute for us computer types) and my sister-in-law, Sharon (who is applying to be a VBCPS computer resource specialist this year) are both coming to the stuffing and to VSTE.
Like last year, I will be taking pictures and posting on NING (if I can remember my passwords), updating my blog and tweeting like a bandit, so stay tuned!

See you at VSTE 2009!

Just acknowledging that life sometimes gets in the way of best intentions! I’ve decided to reactive my blog in anticipation of…. (SEE NEXT POSTING!)

Spent most of last week at the CRS conference. It was fun, and I actually got to present a couple of sessions. You can visit my wiki for my handouts and resources.

School starts in just two short weeks. I have been busy getting the classroom computers up to snuff, basically refreshing them and reloading the software teachers and student will need.  The halls were quiet for the past couple of weeks, but now there’s a lot of activity as teachers start to get their rooms ready for the new school year. They don’t “officially” come back to school until next week, but I remember being anxious to get back to work myself.

And speaking of getting back to work, my break’s over, and those computers aren’t going to reimage themselves, are they?

Okay. I admit it. I have developed a new “obssession.”. It’s a small thing, really. Fits in the palm of my hand. In fact, I am holding it now, painstakingly typing with too-big thumbs.

Yes, I have finally broken down and gotten a Blackberry. The Curve 8330 from Verizon.

It wasn’t a purchase made lightly. I actually got one for Karon as a mother’s day/anniversary present. She was immediately hooked. Of course, one needs an unlimited data and email plan, but $30.00 a month seems a small price to pay to stay connected.

Karon and I have been in constant communication, as she is currently in Texas helping prepare for my son’s wedding on Satiurday. I will join the fun sometime tomorrow. We have emailed and IM’d like nobody’s business, our phones cheerfully signaling the arrival of each new message.

Oh, plus we get the internet, and I have the ability to convert and watch some of my movies and listen to podcasts.

Oh, I am so hooked.

Away to bed with me now. I have a 6:20 flight in the morning.

Good thing my Curve has a loud alarm.