Idea Warehouse

non-MLA convention

One of these years, I will eventually make it to the MLA convention. However, it is ALWAYS in the way of my time off and/or my birthday, and it was the latter case this time. I hate to give my birthday away to a few thousand people. I like to keep it all to myself or to a few loved ones and friends. It was a quiet one yesterday, but comfortable. Tomorrow I'll venture out to get a few needed items and maybe a little birthday treat besides. It'll have to be little, but still I think I can manage a small treat.

Steven Johnson: Where Good Ideas Come From

Yesterday (and tonight) I introduced a guest speaker to my Research Writing class and included a 17-min. talk he did at the TED conference. Very articuate, entertaining, and pulled together. His last words resonate with me: "Chance favors the connected mind." Watch.

 http://on.ted.com/8cKq

 

 

Lilly Conference Last Week

Last week I attended the Lilly Conference at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Was the 2nd time I was able to go and as was the case last time, I learned a great deal. I especially liked the session on Student Computer Use within Lectures: A Benefit or a Distraction. Have to grade now. Thanksgiving break is no time-off weekend.

Missing C&W

Okay, today I'm missing the Computers & Writing conference down in beautiful Hawaii, but that's OK! Next week I go to the Knowledge Held Hostage Conference for free, so that's a good tradeoff. Meanwhile, I need to work hard at revising my webcam article after Byron's last set of comments, and I've got to get some books from the library, etc, etc., etc., Sheesh, this is a TO DO list! Well, anyway, I have been sleeping later than I want to these days, but having trouble getting to sleep, so I've started Kathy Reichs' Bare Bones after racing through the James Patterson paperback I recently swallowed whole. What is it about those books that I love reading so much ? Joachim is home on summer vacation, and he's pleasant to have around, singing all the time. I just wish he'd vary it from Morrissey stuff, as that can get old, even though it's not too bad music. I still like Sheryl Crow the best! Anyway. Gotta go, gotta work, gotta write, plus a shower would help!