LMS & PLE Futures Project Part 1

This is the 1st half of my final project. I will post the 2nd half in the next post.

Wk4 Show Me What You've Learned Project

Here's my thoughts ... enjoy!

Week 4: Play Together!

An interesting idea...teaching kids to work together. Group Genius, by Keith Sawyer describes how business can thrive when the group works to create, not the individuals - like the whole is equal to more than the sum of the parts. If graduates are going to transition into the work world and be successful learning to collaborate is essential. Sawyer has some helpful suggestions that can be applies to the classroom.

Another book with some classroom applicable ideas is Orchestrating Collaboration at Work by Arthur B. VanGundy and Linda Naiman presents the benefits of art and creativity in the workplace. The book provides activities that can be used as teambuilders. It is a little pricey, so I'm not sure if I want to spend the dollars, but I like the ideas it emphasizes as previewed on their web site creativityatwork.com. Enjoy!

Week 4: I Didn't Mean to Copy

I asked the question in the last Wimba session about unintentionally broadcasting music over the Internet. I guess I'm just hung up on the whole copyright violation thing. It has been a topic of much discussion at school lately - what can we do about students not infringing on copyright laws? I have always included the warnings in my syllabus and the talks in class, but taking a more proactive approach might be needed.

I know there is software you can use like turnitin.com and plagiarismchecker.com - and that's OK, but it tries to catch students after they've done something wrong. I'd rather work on teaching them to respect other's work by giving them credit and to be creative themselves!

An excellent website to check out is http://plagiarismvideos.blogspot.com/. It is an excellent repository for videos about the issue. One I found particularly creative is a parody done by a teacher in Florida. It's good for chuckle - which teachers always could use. Enjoy!

Week 4 - Credit Where Credit Is Due

Plagiarism is not a concern I just developed. I've battled with students copying ever since I started assigning research (and that's before the Internet was available to them). Creating a conscience in students about plagiarism is the same as any morality. Teachers need to fight the good fight and be good role models. I see an excellent opportunity for my students to embrace technology and be reminded of copyright regulations. Penn State has an excellent web site devoted to topic called Copyright Perspectives. As well having a comprehensive set of links for reference, there are also three videos for students to watch. Covering the topics of plagiarism, remixing media, and the use of others' music, the videos each present a student's future self admonishing their past self about copyright infringement. I want my students to create their own videos on the topic. The Penn State videos are reminiscent of Benjamin Zander's "give the A" letter-writing exercise. I've included the plagiarism video here as a preview...enjoy!



Penn State University. (2008). Copyright Perspectives. Retrieved February 27, 2009, from http://copyright.psu.edu/

I Gotta Know!

Can anyone explain to me why this is?

I buy 10 bananas for my family and I have to throw one away because the last one goes uneaten. So, the next time I buy less - maybe six bananas. But...once again, the last one remains and I throw it away. The other day I bought three (just 3!) bananas and as I just looked over at the counter, there sits one blackening banana. I don't get it! Maybe I should just buy one at a time - of course, I will spend more money in gas than throwing away a banana. I wonder what would happen with apples?

Week 4 Reading - Am I Happy?

I think I would like to hear a conversation between Benjamin Zander and Stephen Covey. I'm sure they would both support each other, but I wonder if one would feel the other went too far or not far enough in their exhortations. I have my mission statement from my Habits instruction; I liked how Zander's "visions" create a new aura not just fixes to what is unsatisfying about life. Covey does help establish a more workable and organizd life - Zander seems to point towards a happier life. I watched an inetersting presentation on TED by Harvard psychologist Dan Gilbert about how to start synthesizing happiness. It is worth a look and a thought. Enjoy!

Week 4: Play is crucial to attaining a work/life balance.

In order to achieve balance at this point, I have a huge amount of play to make up. I can't wait! I've always had fun with my students, but it was always work. I kept that distinction very active in my conscience. After reading The Art of Possibility and contemplating The Secret, I've got a new vision emerging in my teacher-brain - it's OK for me to have fun too.

You need to read The Top Ten Reasons to Play by Linda Naiman. I've included the list here, but she has included some explanations with the list in her article. You can read it on her web page Creativity at Work.

The Top Ten Reasons to Play

1. Play is the path to fun and profit.

2. Fun is the new status symbol.

3. Non-stop work is for losers

4. Even God rested on the 7th day!

5. We need time to be idle.

6. Play helps us find our genius.

7. Play is crucial to attaining a work/life balance.

8. The bow kept forever taut will break.

9. Play is smart corporate strategy for solving problems.

10. Play keeps our passions alive in the workplace.

While the article is addressing the workplace, not a classroom, it still applies. First, it is the workplace for the staff, and second, as teachers we need to do our best to prepare students to be successful after graduation. Have some fun - be successful!

Naiman, L. (1999). Top ten reasons to play. Creativity at Work. Retrieved on February 26, 2009, from http://www.creativityatwork.com/articlesContent/playwork.htm

Week 3 Reading - The Best Lesson of the Year!

The Art of Possibility
Wordle © 2008

I think it was the best lesson so far this year...I think my students would agree. The Art of Possibility became the inspiration and some of the content. My Leadership Skills class seemed like the perfect place to talk about thinking creatively and believing in the possibility of anything. As I read the first 6 chapters of Rosamund and Benjamin Zander's book, I could see my students benefiting from the concepts. I incorporated several of the activities from the Tim Brown video included in my post below (Thursday, February 19, 2009). The students saw how they had no confidence in their creativity and how they need to stretch the boundaries beyond assumptions.

I then had this group of freshmen attempt the nine-dot puzzle used in the book. Once again, think beyond the limits. Benjamin Zander's TED presentation fit in well at this point, and I followed that up with the movie, Music of the Heart. I love using film in my classes; it is an excellent way to start conversations and writing. All too often movies get a bad rap - probably because teachers don't use them as educational tools. My students had the choice of writing a letter from Ms. Roberta Guaspari-Tzavaras to Mr. Zander or vice versa. They needed to show the opinions and the feeling tones they sensed in the videos, as well as using the correct format for the letter. It was rewarding for me and, after reading their letters, for them too!

Although The Art of Possibility has nothing directly to do with media assets, it has everything to do with creation! I truly valued the advice at this turbulent time in my life. Rule 6 has become quite the calming influence on me. Some of the particular thoughts I had:

• What assumption am I making...What might I now invent? I need to stop thinking that I can't ask for help! Not help because I don't know how to do something, help because I don't have time to do all of the things I used to do for my school. I'm driving myself crazy trying to complete all of the responsibilities I assumed when my school first opened. The sad part for me is - I'm doing a crappy job on some things due to a lack of time. I just can't carve myself up into smaller pieces.
• How are my thought/actions a reflection of the measurement world? I feel if I don't do everything I used to do I will be considered a lesser teacher. I need to formally give up on those things I don't enjoy and can professionally give up.
• Start giving the "A"! I do this with my students - I know they get opportunities to succeed with me that they never had with other teachers. I need to start giving myself an "A".
• Rule 6 needs to stay at the forefront when things are getting crazy. I know that it can't be applied to all of the professional responsibilities I have, but I'm sure if I look I'll find a few to slap it on!

Jacks, J. (June, 2008). Image of Opus 118 Harlem School of Music Annual Concert: Academy Auditorium. Retrived on February 22, 2008, from http://www.artsandletters.org/announcements2.php

Zander, B. & Zander, R. (2000). The art of possibility: Transforming professional and personal life. Boston: Harvard Business School Press.

Students Know Technology - Why Not Use That!

As promised, I'm including two videos here that really reinforce the need for technology in education. They are done in an entertaining fashion and although the data is several years old, the points are not lost.



They both come from http://www.huddlemind.net. If you haven't registered at the site, you may want to consider it; they have some great videos, forums and articles available.

Tripod Storage

I just read the best tip for storing tripods! The advice comes from Steven Cortez, Blue Valley West HS, Overland Park, Kansas. Those of you that have tripods to store check it out.


Solution: Go to the local hardware store. You’re looking for 6" sewer pipe for most tripods. Larger tripods may take 8” or more. Each tube will hold the folded tripod safely without bumping and breaking into another tripod, Cut the tubes on a table saw (your industrial technology teacher can help) about 16-18" inches long depending on your tripod, then make a box with a 4" lip on the bottom so the tubes will slant upwards, your box can vary in size to the number of tripods you have. I numbered each tube, and engraved the same number on each tripod, I also have my cameras numbered. So when a student checks out camera #5 (they sign out the camera in another system I will share later) he takes tripod #5 and so on. I can tell at-a-glance from the number of tripods missing how many cameras are checked out. (No camera can be checked out w/o a tripod. It really helps me keep track of equipment.)

I'm sure you adapt the plans to fit any number of tripods. Thanks for the advice Steven!

Cortez, S. (October 2008). Tripod Storage Solved! High School Broadcast Journalism Project. Retrieved on February 20, 2009 from http://hsbj.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=23

Week 3 Ron Smith Interview Interactive Q&As

Following the format to the left the following are study guide questions to accompany Ron Smith's interview with Full Sail Program Director, Holly Ludgate:

Ron Smith Interview Interactive Q&As

1. What career goals might students that attend the New Media Academy at Hollywood High School have? Entertainment business: movies, graphics, web design
2. What type of media are students today attracted to? animation - mostly Flash animation combined with video
3. What does Ron Smith mean when he says “I’ll use anything fair or unfair”? He'll do anything to get students interested in what's happening.
4. Why does Mr. Smith refer to his class as a laboratory? He uses his class as a place to field test new technology as it becomes available to him - just as a scientist would conduct experimentation.
5. Describe the difference between what students want for technology and what teachers are using for technology in the classroom. "The teachers are part of the problem"...teachers are stuck on PowerPoint - students want and use Flash animation - teachers use overheads, while students use video.
6. Explain the term “front-loaded” with regard to lesson planning. there is a lot of work at the beginning - doing all of the planning prior to any of the instruction
7. Why is “front-loading” a hard sell to many teachers? it is so time-intensive and it goes against what they are used to doing
8. List and briefly describe the 3 “hot” applications that Ron Smith is using with his students.
a. Scratch b. Sketch Up c. Blender
9. What real-life implications do these applications provide? 3-D animation and design, combines with Google Earth to help with architectural design,
10. What type of directions does Mr. Smith provide to his students when working with these applications? very little, he provides some basic operational info and a target project, but then he has the students discover the how and the creative aspects as they work through the program
11. What is his reasoning for this? he wants the students to put their individual stamp on each project - he doesn't want to influence them
12. What does Ron Smith see as the challenges facing online instruction in the future? curriculum design and material going online - the challenge will be to make digital media and video classes effective through an online platform

Online interview of Ron Smith, Lead Teacher, New Media Academy, Hollywood High School, Hollywood California by Holly Ludgate, Program Director, Educational Media Design and Technology, Full Sail University.

Week 3: A Great Presentation

Sorry - I really am caught up on my reading...it's just that I keep finding other things I want to share! I watched this excellent presentation on TED and I combined some of the ideas with the presentation by Benjamin Zander. I turned out to be one of the best lessons I 've had in my Leadership Skills class. The video was centered around creativity in children and what happens to it as age and experience set in. I don't want to say too much about how I used the material because I don't want to influence any of you - you should see it and let it affect you. Here it is - Enjoy!

Week 3: Creative Commons Animation

In the relentless pursuit of creative, educational, and fun activities for my journalism students, I happened across this animated story-telling video about the Creative Commons tag available to artists in South Africa. It is well-explained and a great example to use with students. I have also included the link below. I'll be using it with my kids - Enjoy!


http://za.creativecommons.org/movies/ccsa_mov.swf

Week 2 Reading Part 3

Are we, as educators teaching "messy" history? According to Cornelia Brunner and Bill Tally we are. in their book, The New Media Literacy Handbook: An Educator’s Guide to Bringing New Media Into the Classroom, Brunner and Tally theorize that education has transitioned from neat history to messy history. How true! The teachers I had taught from a textbook with a preset curriculum that moved in a straight line. There were few deviations and little student input, just output in the form of worksheets and questions answered. Today all of the media teachers and students are exposed to lends content, vision, and doubt to the facts presented. Messy is not bad or incorrect - it is just - messy!

I love messy. Jenkins in his book Convergence Culture leads his readers full circle from the creation of the "spoiling" fascination of Survivor to the "spoiling" fascination of the 2004 election. I am the most non-confrontational person I know. I hate getting into verbal debates or arguments. I would never make it as a debate teacher. One of the ways I avoid being put in those positions is to stay away from two areas of discussion - religion and politics. So what does Jenkins open his analysis to? Both! Harry Potter is one of my addictions. I get squeamish reading about it. Jenkins does a good job of using the criticisms as a misunderstanding of the media culture.

Ah politics...I guess should speak up and support my beliefs...but I'm as chicken as Colonel Sanders. I vote - and that's that. Jenkins discusses "spin," but does present a rather liberal view. Of course the liberal campaigns did embrace the new media and did an excellent job of involving young Americans. Teachers often comment about how natural technology comes to students and marketing specialists are not blind to that fact either. The lightening speed at which news can spread is also part of the messiness of history in 2009. As a journalism teacher I push my students to verify everything - this is so difficult when hitting "enter" is so much easier than researching.

Brunner, C. & Tally, B. (2006, June 23). New Media Literacy: An interview with Bill Tally and Cornelia Brunner. EDC: Improving Education and Health Worldwide. Retrieved from http://main.edc.org/newsroom/articles/new_media_literacy

Election 2004 image is taken from http://danfingerman.com/dtm/archives/cat_politics.html

Harry Potter image is taken from http://www.freeclipartnow.com/cartoons-comics/harry-potter/

Jenkins, H. (2006). Convergence culture where old and new media collide. New York: New York University Press.

Week 2 Reading Virtual Life

I felt a little overwhelmed today so I wandered around Second Life for a while. I people watched, shopped and just sat by the fire and relaxed. It was actually quite nice. I felt renewed and ready to work again. I went hunting around Second Life for their take on the "new media." Although initially Second Life was not friendly towards convergence, it has become much more so. The educational community is very visible there. This video provides an overview of NMC's virtual campus:



Along with hundreds of student groups that support media learning, many universities maintain a Second Life presence for media development. I love it - it provides me with an excellent venue to learn, socialize, experiment - and stay safely hidden behind my avatar...chicken, remember!

Week 2 Valentine's Day Comments

Sorry to defer to the holiday, but I'm feeling like I need to recognize the romantic atmosphere of the day. Happy Valentine's Day all!

I was reading an article that appeared in the British online version of the Telegraph entitled "Valentine's Day: Technology 'is killing romance'." The article describes one of the sad effects of technology - people don't write love poems or letters to each other again. A survey conducted by the National Trust foundation. The survey found that of the 2,558 people they polled, 62% had never sent a love letter. No one asked me - but I would be in the 58% - no details will be released about that though.

The article goes on to say that most everyone polled had sent a text love message. It's the thought that counts - I know. An electronic Valentine's message is better than none. But nothing beats expressing yourself with your own thoughts...and candy always helps!

Adams, J. (2009, February 9). Valentine's Day: Technology 'is killing romance'. Telegraph. Retrieved http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/technology/technologynews/4568243/Valentines-Day-Technology-is-killing-romance.html

Week 2 Reading Part 2

I am a sad, sad puppy! No one gets more carries away with stuff than me. I've read Harry Potter twice - all 7 books! (plus listened to the audio recordings) I've seen the Firefly series too many times to count. I love all things Joss Whedon. Twilight is my new addiction - songs, books, fanfics...but I have never created my own. I don't ever write my own stories or music. I'm not that creative.

In order to find a time in my life when I imitated something I was a fan of, I have to go all the way back to when I was 10 years old. The Monkees - they were the best to a 10-year-old in 1967. I read everything I could find, I listened to every song - such a simple time. I role-played the Monkees with my friends. We made up episodes and sang our own songs. I have no doubt that had there been digital media and web applications for me to access back then I would have been blogging and creating videos.

Actually, when I think about it - I don't think it's that I'm not creative enough. I just don't have the time. I think that's going to be a goal of mine - I have to create at least one of my own videos or write a fanfic episode - maybe of the Monkees!



Monkees TV Guide image taken from http://members.tripod.com/~ahiii/monkeesfilmTV.html

Week 2 Reading Part 1

Jenkins (Convergence Culture) ideas on "folk culture" centers on the idea that in the past there were closet creators. - people who borrowed music, images, video did so in secret. The new advent of mass culture allows (and often encourages) the sharing of projects. Jenkins goes on to point out that Japanese anime companies embraced the imitation by fans. They realized that their popularity increased through the creations of their new audience. Pretty smart!

Ahhh...Star Wars

I think I mentioned before that Star Wars was one of my first addictions to alternate worlds created in media. I saw all 3, then all 6, multiple times. My affection for the Lucas masterpiece was never diminished by fanfics or fan videos. Maybe it's the teacher in me, but anything that spurs creativity is a good thing - as long as no laws are being broken, of course. After the final episode was released creating new adventures is the only option for exploring the Star Wars world. I would rather have artists create new material released in the open than trying to pirate other's work for profit.

George Lucas and Lucas Arts have promoted fan creations. The company sponsors competitions for amateur created videos and helps select the winners. Additionally, Lucas, through his contractual agreements, still financially prospers from all of the related materials (costumes, props, music, etc.) purchased by amateur video artists. This all leads to some enjoyable stories and some entertaining videos.

Along with serious approaches to new adventures, I love parodies. I think I really just need some more humor in my life. Here's one of my favorites...

Show Me What You Know

This is a very scary look back at my first video efforts and a more hopeful look at where I've moved to, as well as a stab at where I'd like to be heading...Be kind!

When I started 8 1/2 months ago I had no experience with Photoshop, inDesign, iWeb, or really any media program other than MovieMaker and Photo Story. Moving through each new application one at a time was probably the only way I would have learned any of them. I am able to follow tutorials effectively and I did well through the lessons; however, at the same time, it leaves me feeling slightly nervous. I'm in that use or lose it mindset and I fear that I have lost some of it. I look forward to getting back into the applications that will halp me realize my goal...

create a working online newspaper for my school's Newspaper Class to populate.

I am definitely a hands on learner and I need as much constructivist action as I can get this month. Having confronted my ghosts, I am still a good gamble - I haven't lost faith in myself and I'm willing to keep juggling home, work, and school to find the time I need to properly invest in my learning. Go me!

Video can also be viewed on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsNWYmQs_2k

It's Just the Way I Feel

Sometimes I feel like this...

Everything is set on my calendar, organized, prepared for - all is well. I like those times. I am able to focus on each task with the attention I want to provide. I call the shots about my time. Then I wake up!

The e-mails start arriving, the phone messages start racking up and the deadlines - oh those deadlines - they start approaching.

That's when I start feeling like this...

I don't mean to be that way. I just hate spending time on tasks that hold no appeal. That is one of the hardest accomodations I am making while teaching and attending Full Sail Online - I don't have enough time to incorporate what I'm learning into lesson with any degree of complication. My high school classes keep marching along and I keep pulling the same lessons out of my...

files! (keep it clean here!) I have been able to use small snippets of the technology, but not enough to make me feel good about it. I can't wait for summer - for all of the obvious reasons - but also so I can really delve into my units and tech up!

Week 1 Reading Part 3

" May the force be with you." Some how it loses its meaning when Don Ho says it. Star Wars was my first case of alternate reality addiction - cult films. Before that I had some rather weak Halloween costumes and masks; Star Wars had movies, books, music, games, cards, comics, action figures (yeah!) and conventions! I guess Trekkies set the stage, but Kirk and Spock had nothing on Luke and Han to me.

I worked in a movie theatre for 15 years, so multiple viewings was part of routine - not so good when it's Billy Jack Goes to Washington (1977), but excellent when it's The Empire Strikes Back. Transmedia storytelling is an excellent evolution for true fans of any world. The depth I gained from multiple viewings and discussions with fellow employees at the theatre is now possible through online discussion boards, gaming, cartoons, and websites. Having the world expanded and detailed through the combination of these new media is what makes it so absorbing.

Cult films/shows can be identified by their sometimes fanatical following. Jenkins (Converegnce Culture) identifies some of the characteristics of a cult as being quotable, easily divided into parts, layers and added on other layers for fans to disect (Jenkins, 97). Transmedia storytelling adds to the layers and, therefore, contributes to the cult. Just thinking about cult attraction reminds me of Rocky Horror Picture Show back in the day. I wasn't a fan, but I worked many showings. It was like a big party, cult movies now encourage critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, and commuication skills. For me...Heroes, Firefly, and Twilight are just three of my escape hatches. I can theorize and quote with the best of them!

The origami unicorn comes from Bladerunner, a 1982 Harrison Ford movie, in which the world of human and androids was explored. The idea of the unicorn raised some questions about whether one of the main characters was human or not. That little symbol created a stir with fans and prompted much discussion similar to the transmedia worlds of today. The stir that was accidently created then is sought after now by media companies.

Bladerunner Unicorn image from http://ciaofromdonna.wordpress.com/2007/09/15/unicorn-origami-blade-runner/

Jenkins, H. (2006). Convergence culture where old and new media collide. New York: New York University Press.

Storm Trooper image from http://art.glitter-graphics.com/graphics/220974

Week 1 Reading Part 2

My iLike page lists Carrie Underwood as a favorite artist of mine – I have no problems with American Idol. I found myself swept up right along with the rest of the country that season – voting and voting often. I guess it gave me a sensation of empowerment; like I had a say in developing a new talent. And I actually liked that – scary! The advent of the average citizen – kids even – deciding something on TV was an amazing concept. The closest thing was Election Day, and while deciding the presidency is more “weighty” – it is certainly not more fun.

Henry Jenkins, , refers to the change as couch potato to itinerant. The explosion of video games, online computer applications and TV programs took the passive channel switching and tuned it into interactive decision-making. Kids may not be exercising their bodies, but their minds were now getting a workout.

In a country where OCD is getting to be as frequently diagnosed as allergies, allegiance to particular brands is not surprising. Products like Band-Aids, Klennex, and Q-Tips must love that their brand names are synonomous for the product itself. Who buys petroleum jelly? I buy Vaseline and I would never eat gelatin that's not Jello. The "love" consumers feel grows out of habit, trust, and as Jenkins tells us - emotion (Jenkins, 70). As advertising tempts us with beautiful bodies and happy families, we invest ourselves in the emotion of the products. They become part of our lives. I am just as guilty as anyone; my family blows their noses in a Klennex...Do you "Do the Dew?" I do!

Jenkins, H. (2006). Convergence culture where old and new media collide. New York: New York University Press.

Week 1 Reading Part 1

Deep Throat at work in a game show! I can't believe I never heard about ChillOne. As addicted as I can become about TV shows (Heroes, Monday @ 8:00), I was never a Survivor fan. Probably just as well, I have no time.

A few comments about the reading...

When I speak with my mom about convergence (she's 78), she goes on about how media and news swarm around kids today. I think she has a rather clear picture. In Convergence Culture, author Henry Jenkins talks about Old Media branching out into new technologies. All they were really doing was diversifying their business interests. Old Media described what Jenkins calls "delivery methods" (Jenkins, 14) as being convergent, all blending together to one output - the customer. It is more accurately divergent, though - at east for a period of transition. I see that with my high school students. They see media as only iPods and Blackberries; they see newspapers and magazines (beyond the photos and gossip) as old-fashioned. Media has done a poor job of converging technology - maybe teachers have too!

Collective Intelligence is an excellent concept - I wish my students were collectively inetelligent. Of course, they try to be during tests:) Spoiling, especially on a national level, has become a prime example. Hard core fans of any show or movie or book spend inordinate amounts of time trying to uncover gossip and leaks. The advent of the Web allowed for easy communication linking these fans in ways they never could before - 24/7. Participants started showing off their powers of deduction and investigation by sharing their theories and their discoveries. Websites like Showhype are excellent sources for curious fans to uncover tidbits.

Spoiling has many of the characteristics of gaming - competition, common goals, uncovering the facts. It's all about uncovering what others have spent time covering. Jenkins describes how spoiling is incredibley popular with college students - as is gaming (Jenkins, 52). They like to use the competencies that they are good at and enjoy. Spoiling fits the bill; they recieve admiration and praise from those unable to uncover the details. I'm hooked; I read the discussion forums and spoiler sites for the media I follow - guilty!

ShowHype Logo© from http://showhype.com
Mark Felt photo from http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/81/MarkFelt.jpg
Jenkins, H. (2006). Convergence culture where old and new media collide. New York: New York University Press.

My First Blog

Well...this is a new experience. I have to admit - I rather like being able to talk without anyone interrupting with questions or comments. I guess that's the life of a teacher! The past 8 months have been a dizzying experience for me. I have gone from feeling like an expert, to a total novice, to - well - let's see...where am I now? More than a novice and nowhere near an expert, I guess. please watch my video for a brief peak into my image of myself...

or you can catch it on my YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sAU5UcO-yM