A Day Off: Pioneers | Hole Feuds
Monday, February 18, 2002
A Day Off: Pioneers | Hole Feuds
It's President's Day. Yup, another holiday weekend. A day off from work. A day of not thinking much about why we have today off. Not that I'm complaining. We should have at least one three day holiday weekend each month. I'd like to take off both the Solstices and Equinoxes. I'm all for holidays. But some just don't seem that meaningful. So, just to do my duty, to acknowledge today, to make it just a tad more meaningful, let me state that this day is in recognition of our first prez, George, the best George, and of one of the most interesting, heroic, tragic, literate White House occupants ever, Abe. Happy Bday, boys.
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 Speaking of tall bearded men wearing stovepipe hats (sorry Lloyd)...
I wrote about Lloyd and Peter as weblog pioneers, and Lloyd thoughtfully replied, claiming not to deserve the title. I have to agree with just about everything Lloyd said, but I'm not letting him off the hook so easy.
Here's some of what makes Lloyd a pioneer:
- He used weblogs early on, before many (before any?), in the classroom, nevermind that it was a six week class during the summer (he's done this twice, over the past two summers, and I'm assuming he'll do 2002, too)
- He got a bunch of young people to begin and continue weblogging, giving them another tool in their teen communication arsenals
- He showed how to use weblogs to help build and maintain a classroom community of writing and reflecting learners and friends
- He showed the value of the listlog as a regular inventory and news source to shape and inform the community
- He showed how to use his own and student weblogs to introduce content to the classroom community, and how to build content over time
- He showed how to intentionally use the listlog to instigate discussion and connection
- He showed how weblogs can be used to continue work, learning, and community outside the classroom walls, far beyond classroom hours
- He introduced outside webloggers, many adults, into the classroom world of weblogging
- He modeled how to do all this for his students and for the public
- By doing this he opened up and and made transparent classroom work that ordinarily is hidden from public view
I could add lots more to this list, you know, get all explicity pedagogical. But look it over. Many teachers aspire to the kind of interaction, active modeling, and making learning clear in that list, not to mention the technology integration. In the world of weblogs Lloyd has done and continues to do this. That makes him a pioneer, in my opinion.
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On Valentines Day morning Ann woke up sucker punched by a cold. She went to work. It got worse. Came home miserable. Friday was awful. Home all day.
When someone at home is sick life changes. It's quieter. Special dietary requests are honored. Special beverages offered. It's all about getting better.
Her accupuncturist told her to take Zong Gan Ling, which, curses, could only be bought conveniently by me after work at, drat, aargh, W*#$! F]*/$, Ghol Phoods, Hole Feuds, Foal Hoods, at the corner of Telegraph and Ashby. Dang. Long time readers will know how I hate that store. But I had to go. What could I do?
OK, enter the store and try to avoid all contact with the Berkeley archetypes. Scowl. Try not to look blissful and earthy, make it clear that I don't believe spending 33% more for my grocery bill will make me a centered, compassionate person. Be more indifferent than the indifferent workers. Got my basket, get in, and get out before I get cooties.
Got the Zong Gan Ling- check.
Got the Yin Chao- check.
Got some decent organic chicken noodle soup- check.
Got the Martinellis- check.
Got the Brown Cow yogurt... hey, on sale- check.
Got the saltine crackers...
Hey, where are the saltine crackers? I ask for help... no saltines. No saltines! They don't carry them. I suppose they don't believe in them. What kind of a joint is this? They got like every hi falutin', special high-priced cracker, and they can't deign to carry saltines? That is what I hate about that store. They have like every single perfect top of the line super healthy product, and they can't carry saltines.
So I drive back to Andronico's. Sure, they only have like twelve different kind. Hey, W*#$! F]*/$I got my saltines, right here, baby.
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Happy 13 to CY and LK!
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Today's listening:
Bob Dylan, Nashville Skyline
Jeff Tweedy, Solo, Seattle, 3/14/01
The Blind Boys of Alabama, Spirit of the Century
Christy Moore, At The Point: Live
Kate Rusby, Hourglass
Luka Bloom, Between The Mountain And The Moon
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