Gator Bites

Because I'm a real giving kind of guy, I want you to be aware of ALL your Lenten options for meeting the Friday abstinence requirements.

As decreed by New Orleans Archbishop Gregory M Aymond (and approved by the US Bishops Conference), it's OK to eat alligator on Fridays during Lent.

This valuable information comes via the Catholic Herald (from across the pond). How I found this little tidbit of Lenten goodness would require a blog post all by itself. Let's just pretend that I'm well read and leave it at that.

What's New in Tech Class?

Have you been wondering what the tech class students have been doing as we roll into spring? Well - here's what's happening in the computer lab ...

The younger grades continue to improve their mouse and keyboarding skills.

The late elementary grades (3, 4, and 5) are beginning to put their typing skills to use by writing some short stories (some shorter than others). Example: the 3rd graders are writing about their favorite pet. I might have traumatized some of the 3rd graders when I related a story about my favorite pet, a chicken named 'Dinner'. I'm sure I'll hear from parents after that little bit of sharing.

The 6th graders are sharpening their Power Point skills (both creating and presenting). As a bonus, our pastor, principal, and visitors from Notre Dame University dropped by as the students were presenting their Saint Projects this week.

The 7th graders got to take a 'Virtual Vacation' to a destination of their choice. Their assignment: find a vacation spot and insert photos of themselves into pictures from their dream destination. Some students even needed to go off-world to get away.

While I can't share all the creative images with you, I've used my awesome technology skills to do a photo merge of the pixels from all their pictures. I was amazed when photos of the Eiffel Tower, Disneyland, and sandy beaches all morphed into a Mt Rushmore look-alike (see image below). I was shocked when the faces of all 28 seventh graders merged into the character standing in the lower left corner of the image.

Last (but not least) the 8th graders have just about wrapped up work on the school yearbook. If you haven't ordered one yet - talk to an 8th grader (they'd be happy to take your order).

So Now You Know ...

"Bless me father for I have sinned, it's been two months since my last blog post."

I would like to extend a sincere apology to my dedicated blog followers.  I considered giving up blogging for Lent, but as you've noticed, I've already done that. Guess I'll just have to find another way to repent.

The good news is that this extended absence from blogging provides an illustrative answer to the question "Why did you go to engineering school rather than writer school?"

Hope Lent gives you the time for reflection and preparation that you need. More posts soon.

Shepherds, Wise Men, or ???

As you celebrate Christ's birth, take a moment and reflect on these words ...

"There were only two classes of people who heard the cry Christmas night: shepherds and wise men. Shepherds: those who know they know nothing. Wise men: those who know they do not know everything." - Archbishop Fulton Sheen

Are we shepherds, are we wise men, or are we something else all together? How well do we truly understand and appreciate the gift that was given to each of us some 2000 years ago?

This shepherd wishes each of you a Blessed Christmas season.

4th Sunday of Advent

The Holy Family ??

While surfing the Wild Wild Web the other day, this image (and clever caption) struck a chord. I think it manages to illustrate how our sometimes hectic family life can collide with the quiet beginning of a new liturgical year. Stuff happens - deep breath - remember what's really important - and quietly move on.

 

"A rough trip down from the attic leaves us with a statue 

of Jesus, Mary, and St John the Baptist"

Image and caption pilfered from  Conversion Diary

Secrets of Effective Teaching

As I write this post, we are in the midst of a teacher evaluation cycle. We each meet with our administrative team and discuss our classroom skills and how we can improve (or in my case - how I can avoid being shown the door :)

I'd like to share one of my personal favorite classroom feedback techniques...

Blessed with an extensive collection of college math credits (and the head tilts it took to get there), I can easily mix a touch of vector calculus with a pinch of differential equations to determine how badly I've confused my students. What can I say - it's a gift.

I am thankful we don't live in earthquake country. With regular seismic activity, I'd never know if my class was riding out a magnitude 7 event or simply confused.

Stay nerdy 

Thanksgiving Day

Today is a day set aside to reflect on all we have been given.

Some words to contemplate as we give thanks ...

“Gratitude is characteristic only of the humble. The egotistic are so impressed by their own importance that they take everything given them as if it were their due. They have no room in their hearts for recollection of the undeserved favors they received.”  Fulton Sheen

“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.”  G.K. Chesterton

And finally, what would Thanksgiving be without a pie chart??

What I Do #214

Folks often ask me (OK - sometimes ask me), what I do all day.

This is one response ...

Now You See It - Now You Don't

The middle school students are working with pictures.

Some classes are learning how to select and insert the perfect image to compliment a story. Other classes are learning how to modify an image to more clearly make a point. Frequently, finding that perfect picture is an iterative process. By carefully trimming away any extraneous fluff, you can approach your ideal image.

Rumor has it, that Michelangelo was thought to sometimes employ these same skills (but without any keyboard shortcuts).

Bummer about the bear, but I think the warning has merit.

At school, we recently celebrated All Saints Day. As part of that observation, it's helpful to recall the words of St Augustine "There is no saint without a past. There is no sinner without a future."  This is especially true if you happen to be the IT Guy at school.

What does this have to do with editing images? Simply this - if we seek God's forgiveness, we can edit out the mistakes of our past and make our future a better thing.

What's New Pussycat ??

In the world of texting, spelling is strictly optional but emotions are all in the punctuation.

If you are new to texting, I've asked a couple of the neighborhood cats to stop by and help explain the punctuation. I understand a few of these fine felines may have had leading roles in an off, off, off, Way Off Broadway production of Les Mis   (admit it, you thought I was going to say Cats).

Anyway, here we are with Emot-i-cats 101

 

Also, important note:  Parent - Teacher Conferences were this past week. If you stopped by to say "Hi" - thanks. If I missed you, here's the texting version of the conference we didn't have (reference the above image, if necessary). Here's how your child is doing in Computer Class ...

Middle School:    :P

Grades 3, 4, 5:    O_O

Grades K, 1, 2:    ^^

See you next time   ;)

Are We There Yet ?

Take a look at this cartoon. If you've ever copied, or downloaded, a really BIG file, you'll understand exactly what's going on here. 

 

 
I like to suggest there's a connection between this cartoon and your spiritual life.  

        What ???      A connection between computer class and real life ???

Consider:  St Peter and Our Lord are sitting by the Pearly Gates watching for your arrival. One moment you are almost there, any minute now. Suddenly - BAM, you say something mean about a classmate (ie: you sin) and the now you find yourself six hours away. Seems like you are going the wrong direction.

Realizing your error, you seek forgiveness (ie: you go to confession). Suddenly - BAM, you're back on the right path and only minutes away. 

Choices, it's all about choices. Make the right choices (and be careful with really big files).


     --- Do you think St Peter and Our Lord get whiplash as they watch us make choices ??

Day 57,372 ...

Another day - another in an endless string of days.   I wonder how I press on.

The heat is oppressive.  A dull red glow makes it difficult to see those around me.  The air is still.  A smoky haze, smelling of sulfur, hangs in the air.

From every direction comes an irritating  "... tap, tap, tap ...".

... tap, tap, tap ...     What is this awful torture?   

             ... tap, tap, tap ...     When will it end? 

                          ... tap, tap, tappity, tap ...        My fingers are bloody nubs.  

                                       ... tap ...     When oh when will it end?

... tap, tap,       tap ...

                  ---- excerpt from an unnamed computer student's journal (undated)

Welcome

Some engineering humor to christen my blog. Enjoy ...