I, uh, could use your, uh, opinion on something

I, uh, just got through listening to, uh, Mr. Obama's official, uh, welcome for Benjamin Netanyahu who is, uh, visiting from, uh, Israel.

Putting aside my, uh, political differences with our, uh, president, I am still bothered by, uh, something. I can't, uh, quite put my, uh, finger on what bothers me when I, uh, hear Mr. Obama speak "off the, uh, cuff" in, uh, public. I do not get the same feeling when he is reading a speech via teleprompter.

I'm hoping that, uh, you can help me figure out, uh, just what is so annoying to me, uh, about the way that Mr., uh, Obama ad libs in, uh, public. Can, uh, anyone help me out? Uh, thanks.

Welcome White Oak Technology Conference Attendees!

Welcome to my blog. I hope you are learning a lot. I've posted my Prezi here so you can review it at your leisure.

Google Reader Presentation

I'm putting the finishing touches on my presentation for the TCEA area Technology Conference held at White Oak ISD on Friday, June 11th. Since my topic deals with how to set up RSS feeds, I thought it'd be a good idea to update my blog and have the attendees subscribe to my blog for practice. I'll post my Prezi presentation on Friday morning. Wish me luck!

My Latest Prezi Creation

I'm really getting excited about using Prezi. Here is my most recent masterpiece.

Welcome to Unklar's Garden (well, his wife's garden) on Prezi

2nd Annual Discovery Education Network Geocaching Day is May 22nd

Why don't you make plans to experience geocaching by participating in the Discovery Education Network (DEN)'s second annual Geocaching Day on May 22nd. Go here to find a group near you.

A Tribute to Sally Pierce

Just got home from the funeral for my friend and colleague from school, Sally Pierce. Found out she was only 54 years old (a little scary since I'm 52). Still no details on cause of death, and I'm trying to avoid the rumor mill until more concrete information comes out.

Several people spoke including 3 teachers and Sally's brother. Very moving and upbeat messages, but I couldn't help but think about all the "friendships" we have at our schools, but how little we really know about each other unless we really take the time to develop those relationships. I think one of the things that I will take away from this experience is that I have to make time to get beyond the casual, day-to-day aspects of being friendly and really focus on being a friend.

Growing up in SmallTown Texas USA in a family where both parents were institutions in our school system, I saw first-hand how deep and lasting friendships can be among teachers. I think we've lost that to a large extent in our test-driven, cut-the-budget-to-the-bone modern version of the community school.

To honor Sally, I will strive to take that extra moment or two when a colleague or student asks a question, requests a favor, or need a helping hand and really try to get to know them. My standard, feeble rationalization is that I'm too busy or too tired. I have to change that. For Sally, and for myself.

Comic-tary on the Health Reform Bill

Sorry I don't have a source on this. Came in an email to me.


Let me get this straight...

We're trying to pass a health care plan written by a committee

whose chairman says he doesn't understand it...

passed by a Congress that hasn't read it, but exempts themselves from it...

to be signed by a president that also is exempt from it, hasn't read it, and who smokes...

with funding administered by a treasury chief who didn't pay his taxes...

all to be overseen by a surgeon general who is obese...

and financed by a country that's broke...

What the hell could possibly go wrong?