Thing # 5: Playing with Images

I used Flickr and other Web based photo services purely as a consumer but never uploaded content prior to today. It is remarkably simple, given the template/drop down environment provided for the user. I can see the ease and obvious advantages of sharing special interest group or family images this way, or using a photo service as a forum to display collections (which is my own personal interest!) Likewise, it would make a wonderful forum for showcasing library space, displays and collections.
Being a visual learner, it's also fun to explore the Flickr site using a few search terms or tags to discover images posted by others. For example, Origins of Business has posted "Business History Photographs" with images of many buildings associated with historic American enterprises (White Castle for one) Then there is a traveler who recorded the locations of the strip style US restaurants where she ate as she journeyed. However, it's not as precise a searching tool (yet) for me so I cannot retrieve the photos again--it's too tag cateories I tried are too broad.

Looking at the other albums is very cool and reminds me of the thematic 35 mm slide collections I once created in the 70s and 80s....Now I can do it again in a more contemporary format!





Today Howard County debuted it's new mobile Emergency Command Center in this area, parked outside on the branch parking lot. I took a number of shots and am including two, one of which is a closeup of thecounty seal. That's some nice (imitation?) gold leaf work in the border.

Thing #4: Lifelong Learning and Blogging

Which habit(s) is easiest for me right now? For me, having fun at learning is a given because it involves the sense of (childlike?) wonderment I refuse to abandon. So two habits stand out:

Habit One: Beginning With the End in Mind ,and;

Habit Two Accepting Responsibility for my own Learning.

Why those two? Well, this is an opportunity to develop expertise with tools that enable me, both at work and home, to create and share all sorts of digital content, and that in itself is pretty exciting. I envision being a more savvy consumer and practiced user at the ending point, and knowing that I have not kept up with the technology, I am glad for the chance to have some "fun" at work as I learn. But in fact, I plan to do much of the practice/construction, etc at home during my later evening creative period from about 9 -11 PM. You may gasp and say, "What... on your own time?" Ah because when I consider that learning about the software has broader applications than work, why sweat it? I'm a frustrated creator--I want to post content! Also, with the routine interruptions at work, to be expected in a managerial spot, it's simply easier to do things at home. And while toiling at home, I don't have to feel "caught" if someone intrudes while I'm listening to party107.com when it's cranked up a bit.....

And what is going to be hardest?
Habit Four: Have confidence in yourself as a competent, effective learner.

Why? I do not often "get it" on the first or second go around and can get discouraged, especially if I know my peers have been there and gone already. Remember high school tests, and as you worked at answering the third of five difficult essay questions, you would see other students get up, turn in their exam, and leave the room. You assumed they got it and you were behind. Well it's not that bad but I do worry sometimes! However, I have never been afraid to ask for assistance and with the very talented staff here, that I will ask them to clarify or demonstrate if necessary before I move along.

And here is a confession. While I still understand the purpose and method of subscribing to an RSS feed, I think the mechanics are extremely arcane, and right now, please do not ask me to assist...Get the picture? "I'll be back..."

Things 1-3: Creating the First Post

Somewhere out in the electronic ether is the remains of a blog I created and then abandoned some time ago....Back then, the more I pondered the time and effort required of me to sustain that creation, the easier it was to accept its ultimate demise. You could say I lacked real purpose and the necessary commitment... Hmm, that almost reminds me of a long ago conversation with a guidance counselor (or maybe it was a career counselor??) but no matter--This time the blog will endure. As of today, it is REAL!

Which leads me to my greatest fear...that Web 2.0 will become all consuming because I already have enough basic knowledge to know this stuff IS FUN....like the night my son and I played around in YouTube and I discovered "Apocalypse Pony" and we watched clips of Soviet military helicopters flying backwards (very cool!). All right...I'm in print on the Web...let the learning begin....

Update: With the perspective gained from an intervening month, all I can say is We 2.0 stuff is both useful and cool, and easy to apply. Keep your mind open and don't be afraid to explore or ask questions of your co-workers. Your only limits to accomplishment are the unalterable facts that humans require sleep and that there are only 24 hours in a day!