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 ??