Smartboard Infomercial

Some of the Baumholder Middle/High School faculty members participated in making this tongue-in-cheek infomercial for the Smartboard recently. I think it's funny, and I don't think it's just because I know all of these people! And now everyone can see it on YouTube.

I don't have a Smartboard yet, although they did install an Infocus projector from the ceiling of the classroom and I am using it to project stuff from my laptop more and more, instead using of the chalkboard. The overhead is sitting on the floor in the back of the room. The last lightbulb went out and asking the supply man or admin for a replacement was an act of futility. 

Side note on the nature of paradigm shifts. Once the technological shift starts, there is NO support for old technology. Fewer than half the classrooms have a Smartboard or an Infocus machine, yet supply and admin don't seem to comprehend that those still relying on overhead projectors (poor sods) still need light bulbs for their projectors. Arg.

It was a tough adjustment, and I'm not fully adjusted. Some of my summer will be spent creating presentations on the computer that I used to do on the overhead. But I'm comforted knowing that while if the lightbulb in the Infocus projector goes out, I will have no projector and will have to pick up a piece of chalk and use the chalkboard. However, if the piece of chalk breaks, I will have two pieces instead of one! Math is weird that way.

B-Town Boys Are Back

What does a sea of buses and cars in the Wagon Wheel parking lot signify? It means the troops are back, or a big chunk of them, anyway. There was excitement in the air all week as family members anticipated their arrival, and many happy faces as the soldiers returned from a long and dangerous deployment to Iraq. When we went on post last weekend, we were lucky enough to see the long line of soldiers in the street waiting to parade into the post gym, where their families were waiting to be reunited with them. We also saw a group of delighted young women, still wearing their gear, having a group photo taken. Their joy reached out and touched us in the car as we drove by. So, despite the many signs declaring that the boys are back, a gentle reminder than our women in uniform are back, too, and all are welcome home.

Progress on the Home Front

Here's how the balcony, terrace and landscaping look this Spring. I hope a comparison photo this Fall will show filling in of the bare spots on the hill. Most of the plants we put in last Fall died due to the unusually frigid Winter temperatures, and this is the sheltered side of the house. My Pampas grass didn't make it. I've waited patiently for it to show signs of life, but am accepting that it isn't going to happen. Geez. It's grass. You'd think it would survive just about anything.  I was glad to see the Japanese willow (small tree) and the lilac bush made it, as we had transplanted them from other parts of the yard, but everything else is new.

Blue-hearted Daisies

My new favorite flowers in the garden, these blue-hearted daisies.

I don't know their real names, but I like their clean look.