Catching up ...

I am slowly, but surely catching up with some of the readings. I hope to have some thoughts, ideas, etc., posted Feb. 23. ... I don't know about the rest of you, but I am finding a lot of similar thoughts throughout the readings. ... More to come. ...

Over the next couple of days, ...

Over the next couple of days, I intend to have items posted on our Wikispaces as well as blog on several of the readings. Again, I appreciate everyone's patience with me.

I-496 Web site ...

I know Dr. K has not separated us into the two groups yet, but I would like to make my plea to be on the Web site design team. Since I just earned my Master of Arts in Educational Technology, I feel this would be a good project to put on my résumé as I search for a full-time career. I have an idea where we could take images (if available) of the land prior to construction, during construction, and final construction and have the images merge from one to another on the Web site. Somewhere, I know that is possible. Again, that is only an idea, and hopefully, we can run with that image.

I would like to apologize. ...

I would like to apologize. I have not had the start of the semester that I thought I would. I am behind, but I am making every effort to get back up to speed. As for speed, my Internet connection is not where it should be, and I am not on-line as much as I should be at home. Therefore, I plan to upgrade ASAP, and I will begin a more earnest effort in my class work. Thank you for your patience in this matter.

I am stepping away from school work for a moment. ...

I am stepping away from school work for a moment. … On Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010, I faced the worst of times, and the best of times. I attended a memorial service for a former Addison (Mich.) High School classmate’s father. My friend Pat Mitchell’s father Bill was an avid outdoorsman, and Bill and Pat shared a strong appreciation of the outdoors and hunting. Bill was nearest my dad when I hit my first grand slam as a switch-hitting sophomore in 1987, and he celebrated with my dad. As a member of the Board of Education, Bill told people there were certain graduating students he wanted to hand the diploma to during graduation, and I was one of those students. After Bill’s service, I celebrated my dad’s upcoming 70th birthday with him and my mom Judy at Bob Evans in Adrian, Mich. My dad Richard turns 70 on Monday. My dad and I share a great appreciation of sports, and I joke that my dad is a walking historian of local sports knowledge from Lenawee, Hillsdale, and Jackson counties. Since June 2009, each faced cancer. My dad was diagnosed in June with prostrate cancer. He endured a surgery in August, and he has returned to his normal lifestyle. Bill was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in September, and he died Saturday, Jan. 30. I hate the loss of good people, and Bill was a good person. How come my dad was fortunate, and Bill was not? We will never know that answer; however, it sure makes a day like today feel bittersweet to me.