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Sharing – #saskedchat – Week 4 Summer Blogging Challenge
As parents, one thing that we have tried to impress upon on children is the importance of sharing, whether it is with siblings, friends, or other people, we have tried to help our children understand the importance of sharing while at the same time helping them to understand that they must be careful with what they are sharing through their social networks, the different social apps that they use, the people with whom they engage and the relationships they have with others.
It's Not That Simple
Being a "modern" educator, for some, means having a PLN, integrating technology, and, through various means, "sharing". However, too often educators who aren't integrating, twittering or blogging or aren't seen as embracing technological advancements are often described as somehow being "less" as teachers, as being not as worthy,
"And, sadly, some people write off technology as a chore or passing fad"
This attitude, unfortunately, continues to reinforce the binary of the "good/bad" teacher which does little to explore the strengths of people but, instead, serves to limit people and continue traditional power structures that have dominated educational discourses throughout history where certain groups are described as "less worthy" because of their lack of knowledge or talent or whatever can be used to create the power binary. We have to remember throughout time, "good/bad" teachers has meant things very different from the present.
The idea that it is right to be a student-centered and caring teacher rather than a self-centered teacher is one that, while strongly held at this point in time, is contingent as any other idea about good teaching in any other historical period. McWilliam, 2004
Sharing, as an educator, has now become what "relevant teachers" do because it is now "right and proper" to do so. But the definition of "sharing" continues to change and morph as can be seen in the continual changes found in the Terms of Service of apps like Facebook and Twitter and the use of various social networks for various types of sharing.
In fact, there are numerous examples of people who have made poor decisions when sharing online, examples of how sharing and privacy have become issues and the harmful effects that happen when things are shared without people's knowledge or their consent such as the numerous examples of phishing scams where people have had their information used by scammers and the harmful and destructive consequences of people who have pictures stolen and shared against their consent.
Sharing is Important
Learning to be generous with time and resources is something I want my children to develop and appreciate. However, it's also not quite as simple as Mark Zuckeburg makes it out
"Facebook's mission and what we really focus on giving everyone the power to share all of the things that they care about,"
Yes, sharing is important and something that needs to continue, especially for teachers. However, it's not as simple as "just sharing". There are many instances when, although I wanted to share, doing so would have been unethical or might have had negative consequences. Like many others, I've been on the receiving end of nasty trolling from taking a particular point of view. It's not always possible or positive to share one's experiences.
In a world dominated by the digital, sharing online seems to be the ONLY way that some people consider to be real sharing. Yet, in many instances, the intimate conversations that take place between two people, or in a small group, can be what really cements and binds our socially mediated relationships.
As educators, relationships are so important and, although having digital relationships and learning to live in a world where digital discourse, literacy, citizenship, and relationship are important, there is a place for people who are more comfortable with the less-digital, less-technological. If we believe that each person's development is important, then genuinely respecting and honouring them should allow us to feel anything but "sad". In fact
Good teachers will one day feel differently about progressive teaching, just as they have done in other times and places. McWilliam, 2004
What do You Share? How do You Share?
How do you share? What do you share? How does sharing fit in your lifestyle as a teacher? Parent? Partner? Individual?
Change – #saskedchat – Week 3 Blogging Challenge
How Do You View Change?
Change is constant.
Change is inevitable.
Change can be positive or it can be negative.
Change can be hard to describe and its effects can be even harder to put into words.
A Summer of Change
This summer has brought about a number of changes for many people I know – some are moving to new jobs, some are moving to new schools, some are moving to new communities, some are entering new stages of their lives and a few are doing all of the above!
Having gone through the process of moving (9 times), a new job (8 times), a new school (10 times) and community (6 times) and the change brought on by having children (8 of them) or having children leave (3 of them), I've come to view change as the way life is lived. I've recently had to begin to care for my parents as they age, something with which I have little experience which means that, like many things, I'm learning as I go.
As I read various articles that are geared at examining changes that might be experienced by teachers, either by new technology or new strategies or new assessment or different expectations or the recent online phenomenon or …. it goes on, I notice that there is a natural tendency to generalize things across a population, something that tends to happen quite often in education. People speak of "teachers" needing to "….." because of their particular worldview and point of view. Not that's it's bad but that really is theirs and, sometimes, if it's the dominant societal one, it goes without question.
However, in my experience, this tendency masks the individual responses that people experience as they go through change. Generalizing that this change or that change will have this effect or that effect misses the point – the change will be individual and will have a different affect depending on the person. What I view as a positive change, others will deem negative and, surprisingly, many won't even register nor care about.
How do You envision Change?
Usually we begin with something like "How do you mange change?" Or "How do you deal with Change?" Or "9 Ways to Deal with Change".
However, if Change is happening regularly, maybe taking a different approach might help.
The diagram at the beginning of the post is from the Design Thinking approach to problem solving and innovation. Having read Tim Brown's book Change by Design a number of years ago and reread parts since then and taking the Stanford Course on Design Thinking, I began applying the principles to how I view change and the changes taking place around me. Eventually, applying these principles, I determined that change was not only okay, but desirable – part of the reason that I headed off to the University of Regina to begin a PhD with Dr. Alec Couros.
As this image from the Change by Design site shows, looking at change from different perspectives not only can help one to determine the What and How of change but give you different options for addressing change.
Change By Design at IDEO | IDEO http://buff.ly/2a1Xkk7
In combination with the work of Todd Henry – Accidental Creative, Die Empty, Louder than Words – and Cal Newport – So Good they Can't Ignore You, Deep Work – and others, I have shifted my thinking about my work, the impact of change and the process of development from one that "happens" to one I am able to be part of the solution process and make decisions that help me to continue to follow my unique path.
Instead of always looking to innovate, adopt a new mindset or flip something, I can be open to new ideas and new processes but not always looking for the "next big thing" because my focus isn't being distracted by my peripheral vision – something I borrowed from Todd Henry. So, yes there are many things going on – change is all around us but, for many people, it's a distraction from doing their great work, a distraction from the path they are creating and building. Learning from/with others is important, such as doing a book study with others to expand ideas and push oneself, reading different authors and listening to TEDtalks and other forms of learning but it's just as important to be creative, to question what people are saying, and to build your own – isn't that what everyone seems to be saying needs to happen?
Often many of us are pulled this way or that, always looking for the next "new thing, great book, interesting method and innovation" instead of focusing on the path we are building. Yes, something might be interesting and worth exploring – but make no mistake, many who are commenting on it and writing about it are interweaving it with their path – seeing how it can add to their message – which is what you need to do.
You are on your own journey – one unique to you.
Jana Scott Lindsay, in her last post Consumed explores the impact of being connected and how she is seeing a need for change …
I think that it is time to work at finding balance. Leave your devices out of sight, to encourage out of mind for a time & space each and every day.
Change – yes, it's always happening.
Change – what about you?
#saskedchat Summer Blogging Challenge
Week 2 of the #saskedchat Summer Blogging Challenge
Our topic this week is Supporting. Tribe, a post by Jana Scott Lindsay, has me pondering how do we support ourselves and, just as importantly, be part of a support system for others. Jana starts her post off with a great quote from Seth Godin – go check it out. I'll wait.
Pretty great quote isn't it? Great post too!
Seth Godin constantly reminds me that I don't have to write a short story to get a point across. In fact, sometimes less is more. In his post today, The Top of The Pile he asks
We need an empathy of attention. Attention is something that can't be refunded or recalled. Once it's gone, it's gone.
So, what have you done to earn it?
In his latest book What to do When It's Your Turn (and it's always your turn) Godin reminds us that
Now, more than ever, more of us have freedom to care,
the freedom to connect,
the freedom to choose
the freedom to initiate
the freedom to do what matters,
If we choose.
It's that choice part that I need to pay attention to and remind myself about. As Jana discusses in her post – you read it right? – being conscious of others is a choice, being part of a tribe is a choice, being involved is a choice
for most of us.
There are others, however, that don't get to have those choices.
How do we support them? How do we make others aware of this fact? How do we get to the top of their pile?
And not just because it's part of being an educator but because we have the freedom to care, connect, choose, initiate –
we have privilege.
Support – what does it mean to you?
It's Okay to Share Your Work
It's tempting to sit in the corner and then, voila, to amaze us all with your perfect answer.
But of course, that's not what ever works. Seth Godin
The other day I gave a presentation in an undergraduate class about using social media in teaching. During the discussion, I was asked if students should continue to blog when they are done classes.
Yes. Continue to blog and share your learning. Make it a part of your professional practice. Don't see it as an add-on but as part of your daily learning practice. Everyday is a Professional Development day. See your blog as part of your PD practice.
Blogging helps me to put my ideas down and work through them. Part of my online Portfolio shows the work that I am doing. It is also a place where I can share what I am thinking about, pondering, exploring,….. Blogging is a part of my Professional Development. Sometimes I blog openly about it but other days I write just to work through ideas and thoughts. Not everything needs to be published.
Ship before you're ready, because you will never be ready. Ready implies you know it's going to work, and you can't know that.
The purpose isn't to please the critics. The purpose is to make your work better.
Polish with your peers, your true fans, the market. Because when we polish together, we make better work. Seth Godin
This is the part with which many, including myself, struggle. When is it "ready"? That's not easy to decide. Harold Jarche recent post a half-baked idea discusses why blogging is important for everyone:
"I'm thinking of doing some coaching in a few years and helping people make decisions around food and nutrition", I was told the other day by a young man working in a shop. My advice was to start a blog: now. While he had no intention of freelancing for the near term, he needed to get his thoughts in order. A blog is a good place to do this over time. You can start slow. The process builds over time. My early blog posts were pretty bad but they helped me see what ideas I could revisit and build upon. And it took time.
"And it took time."
In my post Blogging as a Professional I discuss some of the reasons teachers should blog and some of the things to consider when you start out one of which is "why" you want to blog. This is important for keeping your focus. It's easy to begin blogging but it takes time to develop your voice and produce your best work. Todd Henry discusses this in his latest book Louder Than Words. He calls this the Aspiration Gap
"When this gap exists, it's often due to high personal expectations founded in your observation of the work of other people you admire. When you are incapable of producing work that meets those high standards, it's tempting to give up far too soon. For this reason, many people either quit or move on to something more "reasonable" simply because they were frustrated by their temporary inablility to achieve their vision"
One reason I blog is because it's part of my professional mission
"To relentlessly pursue supporting educators to develop creativity and innovation in the classroom through connections, relationships and effective professional development."
There are many people whose work I admire and follow. I don't see my own work meeting those standards. Many days I hesitate to push "publish". I know that being consistent is important just as it in any other aspect of life because it helps to improve your skills. To make progress we have to consistently practice. As Seth Godin says,
What works is evolving in public, with the team. Showing your work. Thinking out loud. Failing on the way to succeeding, imperfecting on your way to better than good enough.
George Couros, in his latest post The (Nearly) Invisible Portfolio, discusses his development of a portfolio (portfolios & sharing are today's hot topics!)
The interesting thing about this idea is that my portfolio may have found you, or you may have found it, but in both cases, anyone can see it. There are different ways I can share my learning through different mediums. I love to write, but I also am able to share through visuals, podcasts, video, or things that I couldn't even imagine.
But, as George points out, not all the learning he does makes it to the portfolio to be published
I also have the option of allowing you to see it or not. I do have spaces where my learning is for my eyes only, or in what I choose to share.
This is a crucial point. Not all we do is ready for shipping. The learning process isn't about publishing everything. Some works are in the incubation stage, some are in the development stage and some are at the sharing stage.
You should ship when you're prepared, when it's time to show your work, but not a minute later. Seth Godin
Sharing our work isn't easy but it is necessary for growth and development. Feedback from others helps us to reflect on the work being done.
How are you continuing to develop and learn as a professional? Are you sharing that with others and getting feedback? Do you have an online portfolio? Are you shipping?
Your mindset and attitude influence your success. What's yours?
I'd love to hear your comments and feedback so leave comment. Thanks for taking the time to read
Go Ahead – Try It On!
Trying Things On
I have a confession.
I like to go shopping.
Yeah, it's a bit weird but I like to wander around stores and look at what's new. I use to enjoy going shopping with my girls when they were younger (and would let me go along!) Now, my boys and I sometimes just spend an afternoon wandering around and looking at different things.
Sometimes, I even try things on. Things don't always fit like I think they will. My mind's eye doesn't always give me an accurate image of what things will look like once I actually try them on. Sometimes things that I did't think would look that great look pretty good.
It's like that with many things in life. We don't know how things will really turn out until we overcome our fear and try them.
John Spencer's latest post The Unintended Consequences of Doing Creative Work explores what happens when someone is working through the creative process.
More often than not, the unintended consequences are actually both negative and positive at the same time.
It's neither all positive or all negative, unlike how we often imagine things working out – we tend to see things as either/or not a messy both.
It's Scary – the Fear is Real
It's is scary and difficult to try new things. We don't know how they will turn out and we tend to imagine things that don't happen – we convince ourselves that it's not worth the risk. We talk ourselves out of trying something on because, well, we just know it won't fit.
Polish less
Polish more
Average it out
Respect the status quo
Don't even bother Seth Godin
This is spills over into the classroom. Instead of trying something different or giving students different options, we stick with what we know. It's less scary. Our students learn that taking chances and trying things on is scary and, well, not really worth it. Yes, there are sometimes negatives that come along from trying things and being creative but, often, they aren't what we think. The world does not end. In fact, if we are open to learning, we grow and develop from these experiences whether they are positive or negative.
Rejection Proof is one person's experiment in learning to deal with rejection – in trying to things on that they were scared of doing. Jia Jing asks
What is this rejection? What is this monster that cripples us?
Try It On – It Just Might Fit
Trying things on is taking an opportunity to see how something might fit. It doesn't always fit but sometimes things fit that we didn't think would. And sometimes, things we thought would be great, well, just don't turn out that way.
Often, we take someone along with us to get their opinion. We value the input of others. We get insights about how things look from a different perspective.
What if we did this in school? What if we asked someone else for their opinion as we try something new? What if we asked our students what they might think would fit?
Do we give them feedback after they try it or do we discourage them before they even try?
Your mindset and attitude influence your success. What's yours?
I'd love to hear your comments and feedback so leave comment. Thanks for taking the time to read.
Student Engagement – #saskedchat March 10, 2016
Another Edu-Awesome #saskedchat! Our topic was Student Engagement and our guest moderator Jade Ballek (@jadeballek) a principal in the Sun West School Division at Kenaston Distance Education Learning Centre.
We had over 40 participants take part in the chat. For some, this was their first experience joining a chat which can be a bit of a shock with how fast the chat moves and the number of different conversations that take place.
With this number of participants, missing part of a conversation happens and that is why we archive all the #saskedchats!
Student Engagement
What does "Student Engagement" mean to you? Over time, my ideas about student engagement have changed. As a young teacher I was focused on the lesson and my teaching, on creating lessons that were, I thought, "engaging". Later, as I developed confidence as a teacher and began to explore different teaching strategies, I became less worried about "my teaching" and more focused on "student learning". In Matt Head's post Learning or Teaching? he states
As I reflect on my own teaching I have come to realize that what and how I am teaching is usually my first priority.
It is what teachers are doing, focusing on their teaching because that is part of the job. There is the focus on planning, assessment, planning, classroom management, planning, classroom design, planning, student interaction, and planning. During a recent episode of ITTNation, Dave Bircher and I discuss Cross-Curricular planning and how the act of deeply understanding the curricula can open up opportunities for learning that allow for FLOW to take place.
Focus, Learning, Observation and Wonder.
Teachers are able to allow the Focus of the lesson to emerge from interaction with students. The Learning take place through the interactions and is driven by student ideas, interests and passions. Through Observation the teacher is able to guide students in their interests while making connections to Learning Outcomes. This allows students and teachers to Wonder – exploring different topics and concepts from a place of Wonder.
The current focus on the state of education on a global scale is on what teachers do in the classroom. Debates between Reformers of all types draw different ideas about what needs to happen in the classroom in order for students to be prepared for their future. Sometimes, missing from the debate, is what is happening NOW . How many educators are wondering about how the recent two wins by Google's AlphaGo over the world champion Go player will impact schools? What will this mean for students?
Overall, Google's DeepMind is calling on a type of AI called deep learning, which involves training artificial neural networks on data — such as photos — and then getting them to make inferences about new data. Venture Beat
Are we preparing students for today? Are we engaging them in a discussion about what is happening in the present? Too often the mantra is "Prepare for the Future". In some respects, today isn't even close to what I thought it was going to be 10 years ago. In other way, it is.
"Difficult to see. Always in motion is the future." Yoda
This is not a call to toss out all of what is currently happening in schools and classrooms. In the present reform cacophony, it's hard sometimes to even hear oneself think never mind trying to make sense of what is being proposed especially when there is more and more being added to the discussion. This isn't just about what tools to use in the classroom or if there should be interactive whiteboards or not, whether teachers should adopt flipped learning or embrace blended learning or Project Based Learning. The discussion includes environment design, learning design, social justice, content bias, differentiated learning systems, game theory, makerspaces, content diffusion, digital citizenship, digital literacy and other pedagogical and theoretical discussions/issues each with their representatives and lobbyists.
Education, it's a serious business.
There are no simple answers and stopping schooling until things get figured out isn't going to happen. It is a work in progress. Yes the shuttle is being built as it is being flown – it is the only way learning can continue.
Engaging or Empowering?
Our chat briefly touch on is engaging someone the same as empowering them? What do we want to happen in schools? Why is this important to discuss? As we live in the midst, it is struggling with such questions that help us to make sense of the noise.
If we want people to feel empowered, then releasing control and giving ownership is the only way this can truly happen. George Couros
Are teachers being engaged or empowered? Are administrators? Are parents? Do we allow people to have ownership of their learning? How do we mange such a shift?
Like other such discussions, everyday implementation is, itself, a work in progress. As an administrator, providing input from students and parents was important but so where division and provincial policies. Providing leadership opportunities and helping people develop their strengths was important to developing a school culture of learning and growth. Shifting school culture from a top-down model to a collaborative/shared leadership model isn't just about "sharing responsibility". It involves creating a culture of shared growth, trust, learning and collaboration. Such development takes time and, in an environment of efficiency and improvement, can often be overshadowed by "what the data says".
The #saskedchat provided a great many things to think about, some of them I've touched on.
Your mindset and attitude influence your success. What's yours?
I'd love to hear your comments and feedback.
It's in the Details
We do get bogged down by obstacles. They grab our attention. We spend time pondering how they got there. We even spend energy being angry about them. None of this is helpful. We have to look for the openings, choose well, and find our way around them. Rob Hatch
How often do you hear someone wishing they had more freedom? Or opportunity?
I know I often said such things as I looked out onto a world and thought I was being held back.
Turns out I was but the reason wasn't linked to someone else.
I was that someone.
Often, instead of seeing the opportunities, I was focused on barriers. Instead of choosing freedom, I chose to acquire more responsibilities.
When in doubt, when you're stuck, when you're seeking more freedom, the surest long-term route is to take more responsibility. Seth Godin
In a world where possibility surrounds us, it can be difficult to admit that we are responsible for our own freedom in different ways. I would often look around and see what others were doing, seeing what I believed to be the freedom and opportunity they had compared to my own, mostly self-imposed, limitations.
As an school administrator, the frustration and stress grew with mounting expectations. Instead of seeking the knowledge and expertise of the people who surrounded me, I forged on, almost wearing the frustration and responsibility like a badge.
Responsibility without freedom is stressful. There are plenty of jobs in this line of work, just as there are countless jobs where you have neither freedom nor responsibility. Seth Godin
Part of the issue was my attitude was keeping me in a place where there was little opportunity for freedom despite a great deal of responsibility. I was afraid of "freedom" so it was easier to take on more responsibility hoping it would somehow lead to more freedom.
A Feeling of Dissonance
The lack of freedom created a dissonance in the work environment. The increasing amount of details that educators are required to deal with and work through each day, to the "follow the plan, do the initiative, fill in the form. Don't make mistakes." creates a dissonance when they are also urged to "take risks and be innovative". This type of dissonance, like the dissonance of a sound that is off, creates stress that drains creativity and energy.
Expectations and responsibilities are part of any work. It's how these impact the environment, work culture, and individual performance that is important. When we experience a dissonance, it bothers us and makes us uneasy. We want to correct the dissonance. Much like attention residue that results from multi-tasking which prevents you from moving smoothly from one task to another.
it is difficult for people to transition their attention away from an unfinished task and their subsequent task performance suffers. Sophie Leroy
This dissonance continues to impact all aspects of the learning environment. Students and teachers are affected between the dissonance created when what is said doesn't align with what is expected. "We want our students to be risk-takers and collaborators – but our reporting system rewards individuality and conformity"
It's In the Details
Now, Details matter. As Dean Brenner discusses, details are important
But the amount of detail we discuss in meetings and presentations, and the way in which we communicate it, is a daily source of frustration in many work cultures.
Often, there is an overwhelming amount of detail, in the form of data, provided to educators. This increased amount of detail becomes an overwhelming point of stress, not because of the detail but the lack of opportunity to reflect and integrate into the current situation and to make adjustments and changes indicated by the data.
No one wants their time wasted. You must walk into the room ready to get to the point. You should include enough detail to satisfy the expectations and facilitate discussion, but not so much that everyone is looking at their watches. (Or, in the case of a classroom, the floor, the ceiling, out the window or in the desk!)
This applies to all parts of education – we want people to be empowered to learn and develop. In an educational setting, we should
Be ready to go deep, but allow the audience to take you there.
In classrooms, staff meetings, professional development, and presentations is the audience allowed to direct what takes place? What if those sitting in the audience were provided the opportunity to go deep? How often do you attend a workshop or PD event where a presenter makes some great points but there isn't time to reflect? Why doesn't this happen more often?
Your mindset and attitude influence your success. What's yours?
I'd love to hear you comments, ideas, and thoughts. Thanks for reading and sharing with me.
Finding Your Pace
Running and Pacing
I've been training for an upcoming 1/2 marathon for awhile. Now, in order to do this, I've had to make a few changes to my lifestyle. I have adopted an early morning routine. That change, in itself, has been the subject of a number of books and podcasts. However, all the changes don't mean anything if I don't actually put on my running shoes and run.
As I prepare for this upcoming meet, I've adopted a running routine. Part of the routine is help me with my pacing and the other part is to help me improve my running. I use to have the idea that "Well, I just need to run." But, as Susan Paul explains
The marathon is a very unique blend of different running components; it requires speed, strength, and endurance. The different training paces you see recommended for runs reflect each of these components. You will need some speed, some strength, and a lot of endurance to successfully complete your race.
So I did some searching and found a routine for a 1/2 marathon that I am following. Now, I could have just gone it on my own but there are many people who have already done this and have advice and ideas that can help me as I train especially since I haven't been doing much long distant running in a while. I casually run (is that even possible?) but not in the same way one does in a marathon-type event.
The Act of Running
Running is a solitary act but it can be done as part of a group and there are all sorts of online groups and sites that allow you to connect and track your running. I happen to run by myself in the morning mostly because, well, I'm the only one up in my house at that time, no one else wants to get up and run with me at that time and I don't know anyone around who is running. I could find someone but I like running on my own. It gives me time to think and wrestle with different ideas and concepts.
But it's not for everyone and that's okay. In fact, finding our own pace and place is part of the fun and enjoyment of living. The act of running, however, isn't the only thing I do. It is only a part and to define me through that misses so many other things.
Technology Integration
"Exactly how is this going to connect to technology?"
I've been reading a number of posts that discuss technology and it's use in schools. Everything from looking at how to get teachers to embrace technology to reflections on the use of technology in schools and some of the issues with what is currently happening. I see many of these as being how I use to view running – Just run. You know what to do, running is something that we have done since just after we learned to walk. But, as Susan Paul points out
Yes, you can "just go out and run" but you would be wise to incorporate runs that address these aspects of running to adequately prepare yourself for the demands of the marathon. Marathon training requires logging quite a few miles each week too, so by varying your training paces and mileage, you'll not only improve the quality of your training, but you will also reduce the risk of injury or mental burnout.
What if we looked at learning, with or without technology, in this way? Varying the pacing and mileage of learning. Doing different courses and incorporating various aspects into the training?
At 50, I can no longer train like I did but it doesn't mean I can't continue to run. In the same way, meeting the needs of the learner means beginning where they are and listening before we start advocating particular ways of doing things. We need to start with their passions and ideas but there is a place for learning from others and their wisdom and knowledge. Age nor experience, in this case, is not "the" determining factor of what can be accomplished. Too often, as Stephen Covey said,
"Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply."
How often have we begun a discussion with a fixed position or way of doing something or point of view already firmly established and ready for the discussion?
To Whom Do We Listen
To be honest, listening to someone who has run many marathons and is a veteran might not be the best solution for me. I need to consider a few different things that a veteran marathoner might not be able to tell me as someone starting out. Sometimes, as someone who has been using technology for years, I have had to remind myself of this point. I have a perspective that might not be as open as I'd like to think. In this way, looking outside of education can give us some great insights.
John Spencer explores this very idea in a recent post about a conversation he had with an engineer,
I would let that kid know that it's not too late. Doors might be closed, but that doesn't mean that they're locked."
That conversation has stuck with me since then. What if he's right? What if we told kids that they don't have to have it all figured out ahead of time? What if they knew that doors might be shut but they aren't locked for good?
What if we approach all our relationships and conversation from this perspective? Do we close doors because of our own mindset and what people have told us?
How do you approached learning? Why do you think this way?
Your attitude shapes your mindset. What's yours?
I'd love to hear your ideas and comments and what you are thinking about.
That's Why We Hired You
A few years back, my daughters were given the responsibility of running the local swimming pool for the summer. They were hired by the local pool board and given the responsibility of getting the pool ready for the upcoming year. There was a manual and a someone who worked on maintaining the mechanical aspects of the pool but they were responsible for the rest. The one hired as the general manager asked the chairperson how she was suppose to learn all that she needed to do. I absolutely loved the response, which I was fortunate to hear because, in a small town, they were discussing this in our kitchen:
We hired you because you are smart and capable. We know that you have the skills necessary to do what is needed. We will support you and I can tell you who you can contact for help but you are the manager. You and your staff will need to keep the pool up and running and I can't be leaving work to help you out. I'll do what I can but we have full faith that you will be able to do what is necessary. That's why we hired you.
And the girls did just that. It was one of the best learning experience my daughters had before they went to university. To this day, they talk about how much they learned. They still get the odd phone call from new managers about how to do things.
Trusted Them
Did they make mistakes? You bet they did. Were there stressful moments? Yep. I was privy to some "deep discussions" (arguments) between the two sisters about everything from schedules to expectations of staff to expectation of patrons to what pool toys to purchase (who knew a blow-up whale could cause so many problems!) The board trusted these young people to do what was right and make good decisions and were rewarded for that trust with hard work and young people who gave it their all (and a lot more) and provided a great service to a small community.
Grew Their Strengths
There were courses to take and tests to pass, inspections to meet and technical aspects to master. Each one required different strengths to be developed. Each girl had different strengths which they were allowed to use – to grow. Because they were allowed to use their strengths they were willing to take risks. And when something wasn't a strength? Fortunately each of the girls that worked (and they were all girls) had different strengths which they used. Sometimes, it took the intervention of someone to point out that maybe someone else might be better suited to organizing the swimming lessons or managing the chemicals and ensuring that all safety standards were met.
Did they always use their strengths? Nope. In fact, stubborn determination sometimes meant they had to learn through mistakes. But, mistakes they did make and learn they did. For three years, this group managed an outdoor pool in a small town, taking it from losing money to breaking even. All have gone on to other things but each of them grew in so many ways during that time.
I was fortunate to be able to learn with/from them.
Educational Leadership
The role of school leadership and it's impact on change and innovation has been well documented and discussed. There are different opinions as to the exact extent of the impact that school leadership has on student achievement or the changing role of school leaders in schools today. As a former school administrator, there always seemed to be a wide array of opinions about what I should be doing as a leader and what my role was as a leader within the school and the community. Having been an administrator in 8 different schools in 5 communities, my experiences were different and unique in each setting. Although there were some things that were similar, each school and community was unique with its own set of characteristics, strengths, and challenges.
Seeing Strengths in Others
In education, we traditionally focus a great deal of attention on weaknesses or areas of improvement. A great deal of Data Driven Decision-Making is focused on identifying areas for growth – areas of weakness – that need improvement. One of the primary responsibilities of an educational leader is to use that data to identify areas and implement initiatives to make improvement. A lot of time and effort is spent on looking for deficits.
It's somewhat similar at all levels. Identify weaknesses and areas for improvement. Focus on these.
But what about Strengths
Which Strength?
As an administrator I spent so much time focused on identifying weaknesses in everyone, including myself, but not nearly enough time identifying strengths and helping people use and improve them.
What I learned from watching my daughters was how important it was to focus on strengths – grow them, improve them, nourish them. Through a collaborative team effort where people's strengths are combined, the synergy of the team leads to even greater growth and development, especially in areas of strengths.
Liz Wiseman in Multipliers identifies 5 traits that leaders have who grow people – develop them and allow them to improve.
And areas of weakness? They improve but, more importantly, they aren't used to hold someone back from progress and growing.
Differentiate to grow Strengths
Too often an inordinate amount of time is devoted to weaknesses instead of building teams that are strong because of the variety of strengths the people on the team possess. Teachers, for the most part, spend their days working in classrooms with students. Many teachers are themselves Multipliers, helping students to grow and develop strengths. However these strengths aren't the one's found on tests or reflected in test scores which shifts the focus away from helping both teachers and students grow and develop their strengths.
Too often, time is spent trying to improve areas of weakness that result in minimal improvement while areas of strength are left without development. This stifles growth and drains students and teachers of energy. To have innovation, supporting people to use their strengths gives them the freedom to develop these and improve.
We tend to think of innovation as arising from a single brilliant flash of insight, but the truth is that it is a drawn out process involving the discovery of an insight, the engineering a solution and then the transformation of an industry or field. That's almost never achieved by one person or even within one organization.
If we truly are looking for innovation in education, focusing on improving deficits will not bring that innovation. Instead, allowing people, teachers and students, to use, develop and grow their strengths through collaborative efforts and connecting provides opportunity for creativity and innovation and the possibility of transformational growth.
How are you growing others strengths? How are you growing your own strengths? I'd love to hear your experiences either of helping others to grow or someone who helped you and the impact it had on you.
Learning to Leap
Taking a Leap
Some leaps, like across a puddle or over an object on the floor, aren't that big. We do them without even thinking. They don't scare us and we don't really think about them. Unless we're 6. And the puddle is very large. And we aren't wearing rubber boots. But, if you're like me 6 year old, you'll leap anyways. Because it's fun. And you just might make it. And the worst that can happen is your socks get wet. And it's fun. So much fun that even if you do get wet, you'll do it again and again.
As we get older, we begin to assess the leaps we take a bit differently. Will it ruin my shoes? Do I really want to walk around with wet socks? I might hurt my ankle. I might fall and that would look bad to people. It might be fun but…. so we quit even leaping over puddles. We avoid them, going around them so we don't have to leap.
Seth Godin, in his post on February 29th celebrates leaping. A whole year? A whole year for leaping!
Leaping powers innovation, it is the engine of not only our economy, but of a thrilling and generous life.
Of course, you can (and should) be leaping regularly. Like bathing, leaping is a practice, something that never gets old, and is best done repeatedly.
But if we don't leap regularly, we get out of practice. We get scared of leaping and trying new things. We worry about failure, what other people will think and say. As educators, we talk about FAIL as something like First Attempt At Learning. But it's safe failing where the puddles are big enough to get our feet wet and we won't have to wear wet socks all day. We forget that, if we don't want wet socks, we can take off our shoes and socks and leap. We may get wet but we will learn some amazing things. We'll demonstrate to our students that leaping is okay. That maybe, if we roll up our pants, that we can try even bigger leaps.
Innovation in Education
The existing power structure wants to maintain the status quo, and is generally opposed to the concept of leaping. Seth Godin
This, I believe is one of the greatest things we need to overcome in education. Innovation might be happening but, in general, the status quo of education does not want to change the current structure. Our current structure continues to look the same no matter innovation is taking place in isolated places. Even our current system of PD continues to employ a system of bringing in speakers to deliver a message – controlled, with little chance of anyone getting their socks wet – even when if is a discussion of innovation. Disruptive Innovation requires the opportunity for people to leap.
In education, our current system does not encourage people to leap. Now, people do leap and we have instances and examples of people trying different things but, for the most part, they continue within the "existing power structures… to maintain the status quo…".
Greg Satell explores how innovation can be encouraged and leaping can be maybe become more enjoyable.
The truth is that there are many paths to innovation.
Allowing people the opportunity to leap and try things is important. So is encouraging them to take a leap and working together to help each other leap. As Satell points out
most firms will find that to solving their most important problems will require skills and expertise they don't have. That means that, at some point, you will need to utilize partners and platforms to go beyond your own internal capabilities.
Networking and connecting are essential components of learning and leaping yet are often underutilized in education at all levels. This doesn't mean that we don't look for experts within our own schools. In fact, it means that is exactly what we need to do – building on the strengths of those around us to figure out areas where assistance and support might be needed. Too often it is assumed that schools lack innovative capabilities when, in fact, the skills of the people within the building are not being fully utilized as the current power structures tend to focus on deficits and weaknesses instead of building upon people's, students and teachers, strengths and passions.
In her blog post Drops of Glue and Scribbles too: How do we start to see things differently the author Aviva discussed seeing what is happening in the classroom from different points of view.
The point is that we may all have these students that are at different developmental stages, and that's okay.
Allowing and encouraging others to leap is important. In schools and classrooms, providing opportunity for such leaping is critical to student development. Like students, people will be at different stages and, depending on their experiences, may need encouragement to leap.
In his post, Seth Godin states:
In fact, if you want to make change happen, if you want to give others a chance to truly make a difference and to feel alive, it's essential that you encourage, cajole and otherwise spread the word about what it means to leap.
Right now, tell ten people about how you're leaping. Ask ten people about how they hope to leap…
For me, I'm leaping by trying new things, such as the ITTNation podcast with my friend Dave Bircher. I took a huge leap a few years ago by stepping away from my job as a school administrator and returning to graduate school. I am working on a number of presentations for upcoming conferences – Rural Congress and ULead – where I will be presenting on the topic of leadership and change.
Am I worried my socks will get wet?
You bet! I'm worried I might fall but I also know that too often one talks oneself out of doing something because of fear of the rejection. As I've learned, in order to leap, one has to develop characteristics to leap, one being not to dwell in the past and another is to be positive about the outcome.
Regardless of the "success" of these endeavours, the learning I will do along the way will serve me well and help me to try leaping yet again.
It could almost be written down as a formula that when a man begins to think that he at last has found his method, he had better begin a most searching examination of himself to see whether some part of his brain has not gone to sleep. Henry Ford
I'd love to hear how you are leaping this year and how you are encouraging others to leap. Leave me a comment or link to this post as you describe your own "Year of Leaping"


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Senator Smith Announces Major Housing Legislation
State Senator Malcolm A. Smith announced he will be advancing a major housing initiative during the 2006 legislative session, which aims to address the affordable housing shortage in New York.
"It is imperative that we as a state provide affordable and safe housing for all New Yorkers. Now more than ever, buying a home is a difficult and sometimes impossible task for many New Yorkers. This housing initiative is vital to the entire state, and I hope that through this proposal we can enable millions of New Yorkers to achieve their dream of owning a home," said Senator Smith.
The State Finance Law established the Abandoned Property Fund (APF), which requires insurance companies, banks and other business entities to turn inactive accounts and holdings over to the state. Some of these surplus funds from the APF could be put into a new housing fund each year, which would fund the Housing Initiative being advanced by the Senator.
"The housing initiative would consist of an initial commitment of $750 million, which will come from the State Unclaimed Asset Fund. This financing structure could go a long way in helping curtail the shortage of affordable housing in New York State," said Senator Smith.

subset: commoncrawl


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Station 55 responded mutual aid to the Southard Fire Department Howell Township as Rapid Intervention Team to a structure fire on Friday, December 28, 2012 at 2044 hours. Engine 5521's crew and Assistant Chief Mike Waters 5510 handled the RIT assignment. The two-story single family residence located on Kent Road had heavy fire coming from the second story and roof on arrival. Station 54 was subsequently called for a tanker assignment, bringing 5411 and 5408 to the scene. Station 54 was later diverted to the Southard station on Route 9 to stand-by.
Station 55 was released from the scene at around 2330 hours.


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MALIBU - Courtney Wagner, daughter of actor Robert Wagner and the late Natalie Wood, was arrested in Malibu on suspicion of drug possession, along with a man who was arrested on suspicion of a weapons violation, authorities said today.
Wagner, 38, and Matthew Cox, 24, were arrested about 6 p.m. April 22 at a residence in the 24400 block of Piuma Road, said Steve Whitmore of the sheriff's Department.
Wagner was booked on suspicion drug possession, and Cox was booked on suspicion of discharging a firearm in a negligent manner, Whitmore said. Bail was set at $10,000 for Wagner, who was released the day after her arrest. Bail was set at $35,000 for Cox, also released a day after his arrest.
Deputies sent to the home on a report of a possible shooting detained Wagner and Cox and recovered a handgun, Whitmore said. No one was injured, Whitmore said.
According to TMZ.com , the arrests took place after a fight at Wagner's home that led to a gunshot, and she was arrested on suspicion of possession of cocaine and heroin. Someone heard a woman screaming and called authorities, TMZ reported.


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The question to be asked with The Last Stand, Arnold Schwarzenegger's first return to the big screen (not counting The Expendables 2) after being the governor of California and causing a messy marital scandal is this: Does he pick up where he left off as an action hero or is it an embarrassment, hurtling him down the road to cinematic obsolescence?
The answer falls somewhere squarely in the middle. For sure, The Last Stand is no Terminator, but it is a fun, if predictable, action-thriller that has no problem gently mocking his age -- he's 66 -- while simultaneously having him bring down the world's most dangerous drug-cartel kingpin.
Schwarzenegger is Sheriff Ray Owens, who presides over his small, sun-baked Arizona border town like a caring dad. So, when it seems most of the city takes off for a high-school football game, Owens is expecting a quiet weekend, leaving what little there is to do to his good-hearted but inexperienced deputies: work-shy Mike Figuerola (Luis Guzman), newbie Jerry Bailey (Zach Gilford, Friday Night Lights) and no-nonsense Sarah Torrance (former Colleyville Heritage High School student Jaimie Alexander).
Little does he know that, miles away in Las Vegas, Mexican gangster Gabriel Cortez (Eduardo Noriega) has made a daring, highly choreographed escape from federal custody. He and his crew are on the lam in a modified Corvette ZR1, reaching speeds of nearly 200 mph as they race toward the border. Cortez plans to smuggle himself back into Mexico over a secret bridge that his associates have been constructing near Owens' town.
Angry federal agent John Bannister (Forest Whitaker), who seems to have had a long obsession with capturing the slippery Cortez, calls ahead to warn Owens that the dangerous felon is headed his way. So it's up to Owens and his ragtag team of law enforcement -- which also includes well-armed town eccentric and comedic relief Lewis Dinkum (Johnny Knoxville) and boozer Frank Martinez (Rodrigo Santoro), the only occupant in the town's tiny jail -- to keep Cortez from making his escape to Mexican soil.
South Korean director Jee-woon Kim (The Good, The Bad, the Weird; I Saw the Devil), working from a script by Andrew Knauer, Jeffrey Nachmanoff and George Nolfi, keeps things moving quickly and displays a keen visual eye in his Hollywood debut. The car chase through a cornfield near the end is a nice touch.
That helps distract viewers from the story's outbursts of illogic. (No one knows that a large bridge, not hidden by foliage and easily seen from the air, is being built near their town? Really?)
Certainly, Schwarzenegger moves a bit slower than he used to. There are a couple of moments when you can almost hear his bones creaking.
But he can still deliver a beatdown to the bad guys with the best of them. And that's the main thing anyone going to see this film cares about. With Terminator 5 announced and a fleet of other Schwarzenegger movies in the pipeline, those afraid that this indeed would be Arnold's last stand can breathe a sigh of relief.
He'll be back.


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Three Sisters
Book by: tigerscurse
Status: Finished
Genre: Other
Chapter1 (v.1) - Lost for Life
Chapter 1 Lost for Life
Silvermoon sat up and yawned. Flameheart and Bluesky woke up right beside her. Flameheart yawned hugely. Silvermoon laughed and Flameheart flicked her with her tail. "It's not funny!" Flameheart barked. Silvermoon stifled a giggle. "Your right it's not funny," Silvermoon let out a small giggle and Flameheart tackled her. Silvermoon bumped into a flame colored tom. He grunted and heaved himself up. "Sorry Fireclaw!" Silvermoon squeaked. "This isn't the nursery you three," Fireclaw barked. Flameheart snickered. She and Bluesky padded out and Silvermoon glared after them. Fireclaw grinned. Silvermoon blushed and walked out with her bffs. Shade was talking with Roseshadow and Stoneclaw. Shade waved Silvermoon, and Flameheart, and Bluesky over with his tail. "Silvermoon, Fireclaw, me and Stoneclaw will takes a hunting patrol. Flameheart, Darksoul, Blueflame, Roseshadow, and Bluesky will take a border patrol."
Fireclaw padded over and he. Silvermoon, shade, and stormsky left. Flameheart got Darksoul and Blueflame and then the 5 went to do the border patrol. Silvermoon sighed as she buried the giant elk she caught. "Why does this have to be difficult!" she murmured. Fireclaw appeared behind her and said, "Is everything ok?" Silvermoon yelped and jumped. "Sorry I scared you," he apolized. "It's ok," Silvermoon replied. "The patrol is coming back and i thought we could go ahead," Fireclaw barked. Silvermoon dug up her prey and Fireclaw helped her carry it with a plump rabbit in his jaws. As they entered camp Silvermoon realized Flameheart and Bluesky weren't back yet. She dug her claws into the ground and she closed her eyes and sighed. While in the forest nFlameheart and Bluesky were having trouble.
Flameheart padded out of camp and Blueflame brushed pelts with her. She blushed and took a step away. A twig snapped and the patrol turned in that direction. "What was that?" Nightrose growled. A dark he-wolf stepped out flanked by a gray she-wolf and a dark red he-wolf. "Hello Nightrose," the dark he-wolf barked slyly. "Blackclaw," Nightrose snarled. "With Grayshade and Scarstrike no less." Blackclaw snapped something and a swarm of wolves came out of the shadows. "Snowpack ATTACK!" Nightrose barked. "Bluesky get help!" Bluesky raced away. A red she-wolf launched at Flameheart and crashed over her. Flameheart clawed at her shoulder. The she-wolf yelped and bit Flamehearts shoulder. Flameheart let her body go limp ten thrust upwhard, throwing the she-wolf off. A swarm of Snowpack warriors came in and Flameheart saw Silvemoon and Bluesky among them. Flameheart launched at Grayshade and and bit his shoulder. Silvermoon came beside her and scraped his shoulder with her claws. Bluesky came behind him and nipped at his hind legs. Grayshade yelped and broke away and ran. Thistleclaw came beside Flameheart. "Thanks goodness your here Thistlefur," she said. She glanced at him and noticed his eyes were stonecold. Shade ran past him and he lunged at him. "No!" Flameheart yelped. He tore at Shades neck and let him lie limp. She screamed. Bluesky raced over and saw Shades body. Thistlefur yowled for the entire 2 clans to hear. The battle stopped. Volcanopack stepped back and there eyes glinted. "Shade is dead!" he yowled. "I am the new alpha. I declare Volcanopack and Snowpack to unite!" Growls rose threw the clearing. "We have always been enemies why unite!" Flameheart yowled. "Because Flameheart," THistlefur snapped. "I am also the alpha of Volcanopack." Flameheart ran blindly away but Silvermoon and Bluesky \\didn't notice. Flameheart ran until rain started to pour, drenching her flame colored fur.
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Lithuania Hotel Travel Guide
In the early 15th century, Lithuania became the last European country to give up their indigenous pagan gods and embrace Christianity. Today, many of Lithuania's erstwhile pagan beliefs are integrated into everyday life as charming superstitions and whimsical traditions. When you book one of the many available Lithuania hotel packages, you'll be able to explore everything this magical country has to offer, including Vilnius, the seaside resort of Palanga, the Hill of Crosses just north of the northern city of Šiauliai, and the Curonian Spit on the Baltic Sea, another UNESCO-designated Lithuanian treasure. Expedia helps travelers discover hotels in Lithuania that offer great amenities at special discount rates.
The town of Palanga, on the shores of the Baltic, was the center of Lithuania's thriving trade in amber in prehistoric times. In the summer, the city's main drag, Jonas Basanavicius Street, becomes one large carnival, complete with rides, street entertainment, and outdoor cafes.
Visit the Amber Processing Gallery to learn how amber is crafted into jewelry. In 17th-century Palanga, the streets were lined with workshops like this one. You'll be able to buy amber here at top prices. When the fast-paced beach scene grows too frantic, find peace in the tranquil Botanical Park. The Botanical Park is also the home of the Amber Museum, which contains over 20,000 specimens of amber jewelry and artifacts. It may be difficult to pin down a cheap Lithuania hotel deal in Palanga during the summertime, so try to make reservations for rooms ahead of time.
Nobody knows the exact number of standing crucifixes on the Hill of Crosses, but estimates put it over 100,000. Nobody is quite sure either how the custom of leaving crosses on this hillside came to be started. The best place to look for Lithuania hotel deals here is nearby Šiauliai, which has a small but lovely Renaissance-style cathedral that's also worth checking out.
Nature lovers will adore the Curonian Spit, a small but strategic land mass that Lithuania shares with Russia. Curonian Spit National Park is a terrific place for biking, hiking, or just hanging out on one of the many beaches. The park is home to elk, deer, and an enormous colony of grey herons. Its ecosystem is fragile, so stick to the designated paths. Find Lithuania hotels, which you can use as a base from which to explore the park in nearby Nida.


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Chattaway: So much has been made of Kal-El as a Christ figure that little attention is ever paid to the kind of Christ figure that he is. You often hear people argue that Superman raises Lois Lane from the dead in the first movie (though one could also argue that he merely goes back in time to a point before her death and does not actually raise her from the dead, per se).But what people often don't point out is that Superman brings Lois back to life as a very specific act of disobedience … [Read more...]
Archives for June 29, 2006
Peter T. Chattaway on the Not-So-Christ-Like avior.
June 29, 2006 by
June 29, 2006 by
Other reviewers and geek-sters are bursting through the gate with ecstatic, hyperbolic, joyous reviews of the Pirates of the Caribbean sequel.You-know-who... Mr. "I'm first with every review"... is raving and raving about it. … [Read more...]


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Toyota's Jim Lentz Addresses NADA Convention
Says auto dealers need to pay attention women, Hispanics
Toyota's Jim Lentz
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 5 — Jim Lentz, COO of Toyota Motor Sales, USA, says auto dealers need to pay attention to two groups: women, and the fastest growing ethnic group in the U.S., Hispanics.
"Women have $200 billion worth of purchasing power," Lentz told attendees of the NADA Convention & Expo in San Francisco Saturday.
They buy more than half of the new cars in the U.S. and influence up to 80 percent of all purchases; they also request 65 percent of service work at dealerships, he said. "Yet, according to a recent article in Forbes, women continue having poor experiences when trying to buy a car," Lentz said.
"Women say the most important thing dealerships can do to bring in more women buyers is to listen," Lentz said. He said men tend to interrupt and cut to the chase.
"It's important to listen, not only because it's polite," he said, "but because real listening will sell more cars."
Lentz cited Pew Research Center reports that by mid-century the number of U.S. Hispanic households would triple to 29 percent of the U.S. population. Hispanic households' buying power continues to grow, too, he said. "Hispanic households spent nearly $22 billion on new vehicles five years ago, and that amount was expected to nearly double to $40 billion last year."
Lentz, the keynote speaker of the conference's opening session, said he expected a bright future for auto dealers.
"There are a record number of drivers in the market and more on the way; lots of vehicles going to the scrap heap; cars on the road are aging like never before; and the supply of used cars is dwindling fast," he said.
Click here for full coverage of the 2011 NADA Convention & Expo
|Click here to view all NADA-TV videos from the Convention


text: Short and sweet, I like OEM products and especially OEM wheels. SO I would like to know which wrx wheels from previous years fit my 2011. There are wheel fitment "*****s" on every forum and I am one of them. They make for perfect winter setups! Thanks in advance, Im still getting used to being part of the Subie nation and learning as I go.


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Boris Johnson today came under pressure to improve road safety by introducing a blanket 20mph limit in central London.
The Mayor faced the calls after the City became the third borough to impose the lower limit with a promise to enforce it rigorously. London Assembly Green party member Jenny Jones said London should follow the example of Portsmouth, which was Britain's first 20mph city. Camden and Islington have voted for a 20mph limit which is also being introduced on most roads in Southwark and Hackney.
Ms Jones said the Mayor could make 20mph the default speed limit in London and then discuss exemptions for some main roads. She said: "Putting up signs and changing the culture is cheaper and better value for money than spending decades rolling out speed cushions and chicanes across every corner of London."
She said that the Met police should follow the City police's pledge to enforce the new speed limits and also use average distance speed cameras.
In a statement, TfL said: "We are supporting boroughs looking to introduce 20mph limits, and will always consider 20mph limits where appropriate on our own road network."
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If you don't mind the orange look, then these are okay. They do smell nice, that's one plus, but overall they aren't for me. Won't but again
I have used more self tanners than I care to admit, this one is great for a healthy glow and it looks real! I use all different kinds of moose self tanners and they always make me super dark, sometimes it just looks fake, and usually they always fade splotchy. Tan Towels give me a nice healthy looking real flow and it fades beautifully! I also LOVE how it drys so fast and I'm not left sticky at all, I usually use self tanners that take 2-3 hours to develop because they always leave me feeling sticky and stinky, Tan Towels while they do have a fait scent they leave me feeling dry and I can go all day with out having to rush to the shower to get the sticky-ness off me! 100% Recommend!5
I have to admit, I was a little disappointed in Tan Towel. I've used other brands MANY times and always gotten a natural, non-orangy/Ooompa-Loompa look. Not so with Tan Towel. Not only did it make my face to REALLY orange, my palms turned orange. I washed my hands immediately after use (from experience), and yet they still turned orange. I was also disappointed it didn't spread very well.3
I have used these before and I love them. They give great color without the streaks , a somewhat noticeable scent at first but after 4-6 hrs once the color develops I use an oil free moisturizer and don't notice any scent at all. I use these on my face all year round. Love them !5


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A European style boutique hotel located in Solvang. Recently undergone a major renovation. Offering 39 spacious rooms each with balcony or patio plush new custom mattresses with duvet bedding 42 LCD TV DVD player FREE high speed internet in room coffee microwave refrigerator and serving a complimentary continental breakfast including waffles and eggs. Find relaxation in our sparkling pool and spa. We are only 4 blocks from the quaint Danish village shops and restaurants. Our location in the midst of the Santa Barbara wine country gives access to numerous wineries and tasting rooms throughout the valley. We are walking distance to the heart of Solvang.
Amenities· 24-hour front desk
· Continental breakfast
· DVD/video rental
· Direct dial telephone
· Free parking
· Golf - (In Area)
· Hair dryer
· Handicap rooms
· High speed wireless
· High speed wireless
· Housekeeping - daily
· Ironing board
· Non-smoking rooms (generic)
· Outdoor pool
· Parking
· Private bath or shower
· Spa
· Water sports - (In Area)
Room Information2 Queen Beds Nonsmoking
Alarm clock, Cable television, Coffee/Tea maker, Ironing board, Microwave, Refrigerator, Remote control television, Wireless internet connection, Buffet breakfast, DVD player, High speed wireless
1 King Bed Nonsmoking
Alarm clock, Cable television, Coffee/Tea maker, Ironing board, Microwave, Refrigerator, Remote control television, Wireless internet connection, Buffet breakfast, DVD player, High speed wireless
Miscellaneous Information
· American Dollars is the native currency.
· Check in time is 3:00 PM
· Check out time is 11:00 AM
· Time Zone is GMT
· Opened in 1977
· Renovated in 01/01/2009
· 39 rooms.
· 0 suites.
· 2 floors.
Cancellation Policy
Failure to cancel reservation 24 hours prior to 3 PM PST day of arrival date will result in one night stay plus tax charge.
Restaurant InformationGinos Pizza Hitching Post Los Olivos Cafe Paulas Pancakes Red Viking Solvang Restaurant
Recreation Information
Outdoor pool
Water activities
Wine tasting
Area Attractions- Public
- Solvang
- Goleta
- Santa Barbara
.- Golf Course
- Wineries
- Santa Maria
- Los Alamos
- Buellton
- Los Olivos
- Cachuma Lake
- Chumash Casino
- PCPA Theaterfest
- Solvang Danish Village


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To wonder off quickly when around a group of people due to an instant urge to get a nut, and hide while rapidly beating your talllywacker (cock) until you blow your load.
Dude where the hell is nick I just saw him? What a faggot hes probably getting a quickbeat in the closet again, lets go throw shit at him.
by Balls Deep369 March 30, 2009
having sexual intercourse with a female (or male) that last anywhere from 15-45 minutes. after which you never speak to one another.
I need a quick beat.
by Dye DM9 February 11, 2009


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The following is an excerpt from a report compiled by Michael Pachter of Wedbush Securities.
Pandora (NYSE:P) will report second-quarter 2014 (June) results after the close on Thursday and hold a call at 2 p.m. Pacific (dial-in: 877-355-0067, online: investor.pandora.com).
We expect Pandora to meet or exceed our Q2 estimates. We expect revenue of $220 million and EPS of 4 cents, versus consensus of $219 million and 3 cents, and guidance of $213 million-$218 million and 0 cents-3 cents. May was the final month that Pandora disclosed monthly audience metrics. Through the first two months of the quarter, listener hours totaled 3.43 billion, meaning that Pandora was on track to deliver 5.15 billion-5.2 billion hours for the quarter, above our estimate of 5.05 billion. Potentially stronger-than-expected listener hours, a greater mix of local ads, and car integrations should allow Pandora to at least meet our expectations.
We expect management to pass through any beat to FY guidance, as it did in Q1. FY:14 guidance is for revenue of $880 million-$900 million and EPS of 14 cents-18 cents.
Car integrations should be a source of hours and revenue growth in coming years. Roughly one-third of the new cars sold in the U.S. have Pandora integrations, with total integrations increasing to 5 million in January 2014 from 1 million a year earlier. In-car listening allows Pandora to capture a captive audience with targeting by demographic that results in higher ad rates.


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|You are in: Entertainment
Monday, 6 January, 2003, 12:16 GMT
North Korea's new Bond attack
North Korea has made a second attack on the latest James Bond film, claiming it shows the US has "hostile intentions" towards the country.
Die Another Day was denounced as "an insult" by a little-known group called the Solidarity of Youth and Students for Implementing the June 15 South-North Joint Declaration.
In a statement released by the North's KCNA news agency, it said the 20th Bond movie "represents the real intention of the US - keen on war as it considers the North as part of an axis of evil".
Last month, North Korea called on the US to stop showing the movie in which Bond - played by Pierce Brosnan - is tortured by North Korean agents.
The North Korean government claimed the film was "dirty and cursed burlesque".
It has also upset South Koreans, especially a scene in which Bond has sex in a Buddhist temple.
In the latest condemnation, North Korea claimed the film caused "division and confrontation between the South and the North" and "makes mockery of the Korean nation".
"If the US continues showing the movie despising the Korean nation, all the people will turn out in a fiercer anti-US struggle," it said.
The group releasing the statement takes its name from the date of a 2000 summit between North and South Korean leaders in which they vowed to work towards reunification and end half a century of hostility.
During a similar condemnation in December, North Korea said the film proved the US was "the root cause of all disasters and misfortune of the Korean nation" and was "an empire of evil".
The US was "the headquarters that spreads abnormality, degeneration, violence and fin-de-siecle corrupt sex culture", it added.
In the movie, which co-stars Halle Berry, Korea is shown with a farmer tilling a field with a cow - which critics say makes the country appear backward.
See also:
14 Dec 02 | Asia-Pacific
27 Dec 02 | Entertainment
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a place for zinesters - writers and readers
I've been trading with Sticky Distro in Oz for some time now (I'm in the UK) and I've always been amazed by the high standard (and highly individual) zines that are sent back to me in trades.
However, this isn't meant to be an advert for sticky (as cool as they are) but more a discussion on Australian zines! My absolute favourite has to be 'Foffle', it's sort of music based, but covering bands t…
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Cruising? Shore excursions or do it yourselfAuthor: Barry S (More Trip Reviews by Barry S)
Date of Trip: June 2009
It amazes me how people love to experience different cultures yet herd together when they arrive in another country.
There are advantages in travelling in a group and having an expert guide escort you through churches, ruins, and other places of interest.
Yet surely you can do this on your own with someone who knows the area you are visiting?
What beats me are the numbers of people who take the organized shore excursions on European cruises. I can appreciate that you would want to be escorted in your own language in a totally strange environment, but to do so in a civilized country where people speak English has always baffled me.
Recently we took a Holland America cruise on board the Oosterdam which included a number of Greek ports.
We docked in Piraeus which is simply the gateway to Athens. The ship's itinerary boasted 'Transfer to Athens. From the ship to the Plaka for six and a half hours of free time on your own'. They were charging $79 per person for this Athens shuttle.
We walked from the port to the Piraeus train station with a few other passengers and took the excellent local train into the heart of Athens. We alighted at the station by the Parliament building. From there we walked to see the Changing of the Guard at the Presidents Palace. This is only three hundred meters from the 1896 Olympic Stadium.
I had already visited Athens and the Acropolis so we took a cab to the Temple of Zeus and, from there, to the Plaka where I humored my wife with a couple of hours of shopping before catching the train back to the ship. Our return train journey cost us both 20 Euros.
If it wasn't for ancient Olympia nobody would get off the boat to visit Katakolon. It's a small, one street, hick town that fails to cater to cruise passengers' needs, except for a couple of car hire firms.
The advertised shore excursion on Oosterdam for Olympia was $68 per person. We hired a car with another couple for 40 Euro which equates to $56. That worked out $14 each as opposed to $68. We saw everything there was to see at Olympia and strolled through the local town. To be fair, I should add the 8 Euro for gas. Still a huge saving than taking the organized bus.
Finally for this cruise was the shore excursion that lots of people took from SANTORINI to OIA. I don't know if you have been there. It is really beautiful and is a must to visit. The cruise line bused passengers between these two small towns at a cost of $74 a person.
We walked to the local bus station. The return bus ride was five Euro a person. That's $7 against $74!
The ride is a pleasant twenty minutes but the cruise price was a rip off.
It amazes me that so many intelligent people seem unable to use initiative when travelling abroad. I don't know if it is a sense of insecurity, or if they leave their brain at home.
It is possible to get off cruise ships, as we have done in Naples, Lisbon, the Caribbean, and other destinations, find a local English speaking cab driver, tested him on his local knowledge, negotiated his time, and had wonderful experiences.
It's not that I save money on these cruise vacations. My wife gets it in the end and blows it away in the stores and shops...
Related Trip ReviewsAthens Trip Reviews
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CODEPINK and other activists arrested during Confirmation Hearing as they call on Senate to Reject Brennan as head of the CIA
During the Thursday Senate Intelligence Committee hearing where Senators questioned John Brennan, CODEPINK peace activists derailed the hearing by speaking out in opposition to the nomination. The activists highlighted Brennan's atrocious record when it comes to the deadly drones, kill lists, torture and rendition. They held up red-painted hands to symbolize the blood Brennan has on his hands and signs calling for his nomination to be rejected. Brennan was forced to stop speaking several times as activists were carried out of the room by Capitol Hill police. The 8 arrestees include Toby Blome, Ann Wright, David Barrows, JoAnn Lingle, Alli McCracken, Eve Tetaz, Joan Nicholson, and Jonathan Tucker, 4 of whom had recently returned from a trip to Pakistan to meet with drone victims. Immediately after the arrests, Chairman Dianne Feinstein called for the clearing of the room, ordering everyone out of the hearing room and not allowing any protesters to return. Protesters chanted "Reject John Brennan" as police led them out of the hearing.
Alli McCracken, a 24-year-old who was a part of the delegation to Pakistan, spoke out when Brennan entered the hearing room and admonished him for his direct role in the deaths of so many innocent Pakistanis. "John Brennan has blood on his hands. He terrorizes children and families throughout the world," McCracken said, holding a sign that read "Drones Create Enemies." "My generation has been at war for half my life. We deserve better!"
CODEPINK member Toby Blome, who held up bloodied hands and a rag doll representing children killed in drone strikes, flew into Washington DC from San Francisco just for this hearing. "John Brennan is responsible for the death of many innocent people and should not be rewarded for these crimes," says Blome, "It is our responsibility to speak up and reject him, even if our elected representatives will not."
"Brennan is unfit for office because he's the architect of the unconstitutional and secret predator drone killings that violate due process and our moral sensibilities," says CODEPINK cofounder Medea Benjamin, author of Drone Warfare: Killing by Remote Control.
CODEPINK held a demonstration outside the Senate, with an 8-foot cardboard cutout of John Brennan and a large drone replica. Members of many different peace organizations attended to speak out about the loss of innocent lives at the hands of Brennan's deadly drone program. Photos are available on the CODEPINK Flickr [1] site.
Also rejecting Brennan is a list of 100 religious leaders [2], human rights attorneys [3], and veterans' groups [4].
CODEPINK members will be available for interview before and after the hearing.


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Live Commentary
That's all from here - I hope you enjoyed tonight's coverage. Until next time, all the best.
It was close at the end, but France fully deserved their win. Les Bleus were the better team on the night, and Germany appeared almost apathetic in the latter stages of the game. Debuchy and Giroud in particular were superb for the visitors, who proved they have a quality squad available ahead of Euro 2012, even when Benzema was sidelined.
90' + 1'Assist Thomas Müller
90' + 1'Goal Cacau
GOAL! CACAU PULLS ONE BACK! 2-1 now! Muller sends the ball wide before receiving a return pass in space. He drives forward and crosses low to the back post, where Cacau slots home. France have to be careful now, or they just might come up without a win...
90'Four minutes to be added. Whistles from the home fans, who clearly are not satisfied just yet...
88'Yellow Card Lars Bender
88'Cacau's cross is cleared, and France counter. Menez dribbles towards the edge of the box and slows his run, allowing Bender to clip him from behind. Free kick for the visitors, and a yellow card for the German.
86'Cacau goes down under a challenge from Abidal, but no free kick is awarded, much to the Stuttgart man's annoyance.
85'Yellow Card Philippe Mexes
85'Mexes now earns a booking after tugging Bender's shirt. The Leverkusen man ran for several yards before going down!
83'GOMEZ IS IN AND...offside! Muller did well to dribble to the edge of the box, but his Bayern team-mate was past the last defender when the ball was released.
82'SAHA SCORES! But called back! A good finish from the Tottenham man, but he was clearly offside when Nasri released the ball. shame for France, who had a great chance on the counter-attack.
80'Much better from Germany, but again no finish. Cacau slips and unwittingly cuts off a window for Muller to shoot. Moments later, Kroos nods a cross powerfully towards goal, but just wide.
78'Malouda makes a fine run up the left and towards the end-line, but has nobody to pass to, and his cut-back is intercepted.
76'SubstitutionOlivier Giroud Louis Saha
76'Another substitution for France: Louis Saha comes on for Giroud, a straight swap.
74'Now Kroos fouls Nasri, forcing some treatment for the Frenchman, who appears to have turned his ankle.
72'Menez wins a free kick in his own half following a foul from Kroos
70'SubstitutionMarco Reus Cacau
70'SubstitutionSami Khedira Lars Bender
70'A pair of substitutions for Germany: Lars Bender and Cacau come on for Khedira and Reus.
69'Assist Olivier Giroud
69'Goal Florent Malouda
2-0 TO FRANCE! MALOUDA SCORES! Debuchy again finds space to run into on the flank, and delivers a low cross that is stopped by a pile of sliding bodies near the goal. Malouda is first to the ball, and fires into the top-right corner!
68'SubstitutionMathieu Valbuena Morgan Amalfitano
68'Substitution now as Morgan Amalfitano makes his first appearance for France, replacing Valbuena
66'The German defence is all over the place now as France work out another chance! Menez over-hits his pass to Valbuena, though, and the ball runs out of play.
64'Yellow Card Jerome Boateng
64'Cynical challenge from Boateng as he upends Menez, who might have been on his way towards goal.
63'VALBUENA! It should be 2-0 for sure! Howedes loses possession on the wing as Giroud nips the ball away, and passes through to the Marseille man, who strikes wide with just Wiese to beat!
62'SubstitutionYohan Cabaye Alou Diarra
62'SubstitutionYann M'Vila Florent Malouda
62'Substitutions now for France: Alou Diarra and Florent Malouda replace Cabaye and M'Vila
61'Nice run from Nasri, who appears to have space to slip in to Giroud but waits and is upended by Hummels. Free kick...
58'Giroud has a go from distance, but his low strike is saved by Wiese.
57'Lloris nearly concedes a soft goal - the goalkeeper pounces on Reus' low strike, then loses the ball, which trickles towards goal before he recovers and claims possession once more.
56'Oh, Gomez nearly in with a chance! M'Vila loses possession deep in his own half, then stops the striker with an excellent challenge. Germany continue to attack, but Muller's cross cannot be redirected on target.
55'More nice pressure from France as the corner is played on the ground to the unmarked Mexes, whose shot is blocked
54'Ooh, Nasri! A strong shot from the former Arsenal man takes a deflection off Boateng and results in a corner.
53'It should be noted that France are unbeaten in nearly 18 months under Blanc's tenure. And as of now, it appears that run will continue.
51'Valbuena plays an uncharacteristically loose pass to Valbuena, then wins the ball back with a crunching challenge. The Marseille man appears to hurt his ankle in the process, but recovers soon and is up and running
49'Gomez does well to tee up Kroos for a volley, but the midfielder's shot is blocked. Rami and Mexes have formed a considerable partnership in the centre for the visitors.
48'Nasri finds himself near the left corner flag, but turns and wins a free kick from Howedes. Clever work from the playmaker.
46'SubstitutionHolger Badstuber Benedikt Höwedes
46'SubstitutionFranck Ribéry Jérémy Menez
46'SubstitutionMiroslav Klose M. Gómez
For France, Blanc has made just one change, with Jeremy Menez replacing Ribery.
Several changes have been made at half-time: for Germany, Benedikt Howedes replaces Holger Badstuber, and Mario Gomez comes on for Klose, wearing the captain's armband. It also has been confirmed that Schurrle has sustained broken nose
Neither France nor Germany appear to be firing on all cylinders - if either had, there surely would have been more goals. The second half should see some substitutions - will they change the outcome? I'll be back in 15 minutes to keep you up-to-date...
It has been an entertaining 45 minutes in Bremen, with both sides creating their fair share of chances, and France clinically taking theirs through Giroud.
45' + 3'Another chance for Germany, but again no finish! This time Khedira receives the ball from a corner just outside the six-yard box. He plays the ball into the centre, but it is cleared easily.
45' + 1'OZIL! Excellent turn from the Rea Madrid man to free himself from Cabaye, but his shot from distance bounces narrowly wide of the right post.
45'SubstitutionAndre Schürrle Thomas Müller
45'Muller now replaces Schurrle, who evidently is unable to continue. A minimum of minutes of injury time will be added...
42'KLOSE! Another fine save from Lloris! Ozil makes a surging run up the right flank and France are caught out as they had just taken a corner. Ozil plays a 1-2 and receives a brilliant return pass from Khedira before crossing to Klose. The Lazio man had over-run the play slightly, and his weak volley was just tipped by Lloris!
40'Ah, nearly a chance for France! Nasri finds his way between the lines and slips through to Giroud who was onside, but checked his run early.
39'Oh dear, Schurrle goes down in considerable pain after taking an elbow from Debuchy. Nothing intentional from the full-back, but that does not take away the sting. The Leverkusen man appears to have avoided any serious damage, though, and looks likely to come back.
36'Things have cooled down over the last minute or so. As it stands, France appear to have regained their composure and are keeping possession much better now.
34'Klose AGAIN! Seconds after the resulting corner, Kroos plays a deep cross to the veteran, who heads from a tight angle but nonetheless forces another outstanding save from the goalkeeper. France want half-time now!
33'KLOSE! Oh, great save by Lloris! From a free-kick, the unmarked Klose is able to trap the ball and fire, but the Lyon No. 1 does very well to make the stop.
32'Reus slips the ball in for Klose, who is wide and has his shot blocked by Mexes for a corner.
30'Oh, so nearly the equaliser! Reus receives a through-pass and is clear of Abidal, but the Barcelona man runs him down before he can make a more considered attempt on goal. Schurrle almost has a second bite at the cherry, but misses out as France clear.
28'Khedira plays a 1-2 with Reus and storms forward, but is forced to play a harmless cross in the end. France counter, and Nasri has a shot from distance deflected out for a corner.
26'Nasri's corner is punched clear by Wiese, but Germany surrender possession. At this rate, Tim Wiese is not going to even come close to winning his first game for Germany. France are in full control.
24'The Weserstadion has gone silent following Giroud's goal, as Germany have done very little in reply.
21'Assist Mathieu Debuchy
21'Goal Olivier Giroud
GOAL! GIROUD SCORES FOR FRANCE! Debuchy receives the ball on the right and Aogo completely misjudges the right-back's run. Debuchy cuts inside and is well past his marker, slipping through to Giroud who tucks into the lower-right corner.
20'Nasri plays a through-pass to Giroud, but Germany's high offside trap plays him offside.
19'Kroos plays the ball wide to Reus, who takes his time in controlling the ball before shooting. Abidal has time to recover and deflects wide for a corner.
16'CABAYE! The holding midfielder nods a corner very well towards the lower-right corner, but Wiese dives to make a stop. Best chance of the game thus far...
15'But the ball is cleared. Nice bit of pressure here from France...
14'Here's a good opportunity for the visitors as they earn a free kick following a hand-ball from Badstuber...
13'Giroud races towards a ball over the top, but is shielded off, and Wiese appears to clear the ball off Hummels and out for a corner.
11'Ozil again is involved in a nice passing sequence, this time with Khedira, but the final through-pass is struck a little too heavily and goes out of play ahead of Schurrle
10'Still not a great deal happening in terms of goalmouth action, but the game is still fluent. A neat interchange at the edge of France's box nearly picks a way through the defence, but the final ball is just too hard.
7'France starting to get hold of the ball in the midfield, but the Germany unit looks very energetic and is pressing them quickly in key areas. Les Bleus win a corner, but Rami heads well wide.
5'Germany making the early running here, passing the ball about more fluently than their guests. A long ball forward from the hosts is misjudged by Rami, but Mexes mops up his team-mate's error.
2'And now it's clever play from the Germans as Klose finds Ozi at the edge of the box, and the Real Madrid man slips a delightful ball in to Reus. Mexes is quick to react to the danger and clears for a corner
1'AND WE'RE UNDERWAY! Neat linking between Nasri and Ribery in the opening moments leads to a through-pass from the Man City attacker, but Wiese is quick off his line to claim ahead of Giroud
Finally the formalities are finished and France are ready to kick-off...
Tonight could also be huge for France's Morgan Amalfitano, who as of yet is uncapped but could make his debut coming off the bench tonight.
Tonight's match is a huge opportunity for Marco Reus, who has been arguably player of the year in the Bundesliga, but has yet to assert himself at international level
The French National Anthem is playing now; the German equivalent to follow shortly....
Kick-off has been delayed briefly as Mesut Ozil is honoured as Germany's National Team Player of the Year
The players are on the pitch in Bremen and we're almost ready to get underway...
France (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Debuchy, Rami, Mexes, Abidal; M'Vila, Cabaye; Valbuena, Nasri, Ribery; Giroud
France trainer Laurent Blanc has opted to use a similar 4-2-3-1 formation, with Samir Nasri in the playmaking position behind lone striker Olivier Giroud, who replaces the injured Karim Benzema
Germany (4-2-3-1): Wiese; Boateng, Hummels, Badstuber, Aogo; Khedira, Kroos; Reus, Ozil, Schurrle; Klose
Starting line-ups are in, and for Germany, coach Joachim Low has chosen just five of his usual starters, opting for an experimental line-up in the absence of Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Per Mertesacker and Lukas Podolski
Both sides qualified for this summer's European Championship, and with fewer than 100 days remaining before events kick-off in Poland, are facing off in a match that will prove to be a real litmus test of their form.
Hello, and welcome to Goal.com's LIVE coverage of Germany vs France! I'm Clark Whitney, and I'll be keeping you company over the next two hours or so...