Websites I love!

First off, I must commend everyone in the Tech Resources class, because I loved all of your websites and it was hard to narrow it down to three.

One of my favorite websites was Sean Finan's website. I truly enjoyed his website, and I loved that there was a musical theatre through-line throughout the site. Knowing Sean personally allowed me to see that his website really does embody his personality. I think making a website that embodies who you are is key.

Another website I liked was Norah's. Norah's website is just so clean and pleasant to look at. It is not very busy, it looks classy, and it gives concise information. I also really like Norah's use of tables.

I also really like Monica's website. Her website is really aesthetically pleasing. I love her color choices and her use of tables, especially on her image assignment page. The color pencil image on her resources page is very striking.

Great work, everyone!!!

Safari vs Firefox

In all honesty, I really am a fan of both Firefox and Safari. I do not use one or the other exclusively. I find myself switching between the two quite often. In my opinion, Safari looks sleeker than Firefox, but Firefox is easier for me to use. I also like that the text looks bigger on Firefox. That helps my failing eyes out a lot! In defense of Safari, I do love the new "Top Sites" feature on. Anytime I open a new tab, it is like Safari is reading my mind, because the site that I need to go to is displayed on my "top sites."

If I ultimately had to chose a favorite, I think I would have to go with Firefox. Everything is too small on Safari.

Shows I would like to see before Winter Break!

Hi Readers!

Below you will find a list of shows I want to see before I head back to Atlanta for the Holidays. A lot of shows are closing soon, which is sad. After finals, I definitely want to try and see as many shows as my wallet can handle (I don't really need that Starbucks, anyway.... I say this as I drink a Gingerbread Latte... Eeek). Unfortunately, my list is going to be too long for the time I have before break, but as I see the shows I will put a bolded X beside them. That way if you want an opinion on the show, you can ask me. Maybe I will influence your choice of what to see this season. Take advantage of student rush tickets while you are still a student. Support live theater and other arts by going to see a show or exhibition!!!!

Broadway:
_ Bye Bye Birdie
X In the Next Room (or the Vibrator Play)- Saw this one a few days ago, AWESOME!
_ A Little Night Music
_ Ragtime
_ South Pacific
X Memphis- Saw it recently. Super enjoyable! A great 60s sound!
_ The Royal Family
_ Superior Donuts
_ A View from the Bridge
X Wishful Drinking- I laughed for 2 hours straight!

Off Broadway:
_ Let Me Down Easy
X The Toxic Avenger- So fun!
_ Love, Loss, and What I Wore
_ Or,
_ Our Town

X This- It was really intense, but also enjoyable. Nice mix of serious and funny.

Visual Art:
_ Tim Burton Exhibit at MoMA
_ Georgia O'Keefe: Abstraction at The Whitney
_ Performance in Crisis Exhibition at Exit Art (SUCH AN AWESOME GALLERY. MY FAVE IN TH CITY! CONSISTENTLY AWESOME MODERN ART EXHIBITS!-The Art Historian in me does little backflips of joy)
_ Between Spaces Exhibit at P.S.1

Dance: I need to see more dance. I always go see the Master's concert at Steinhardt, but I should make an effort to see more. Dancer friends, any suggestions?
_ Alivin Ailey
_ Dance Theatre Workshop & Urban Word NYC

Music Friends: If you know of any good music shows, concerts, etc. Let me know. I really like Jazzy & Folk sounding stuff.

Video!

Here is the video I created for part of my Tech Resources final project.

The video chronicles how I use other art forms to support drama in the classroom. The primary focus is on integrating drama and dance into the classroom! :o)

The song playing in the background is "Good Morning Star Shine" from the recent revival of HAIR. I chose this song because the Pre-K students learned the lyrics as a part of their "Planets" Unit. We were able to create a movement piece to this song where the students explored their understanding of the solar system through embodying planets and stars. 9 students were planets (it's important not to hurt Pluto's feelings) and the other 11 were bright shining stars. Unfortunately, I was unable to use the "Planets" footage, because I do not have permission.

I choose to not animate the photos or add effects, because I think the images of the kids are so genuine and they speak for themselves. I differentiated between each class by adding different transitions from class to class.

Enjoy!

My Feelings on the Blackboard System....

I have to admit, I am quite a fan of the Blackboard System. I really got used to using Blackboard regularly in my undergraduate experience, especially in my art history classes. We had threads for every reading we did for homework, and we had to post a question, a difference in opinion, or an agreeing statement to the art historian's theories we read. This was really helpful in sparking class discussion, as well as allowing all voices to be heard. Posting was a significant part of our participation great, which I think this is an excellent way to hear the thoughts and opinions of those who are less eager to speak up in the classroom.
For Tech Class, I really appreciate that the assignments are posted on Blackboard, that way I can always know what I need to do (and I can refer to it when I have questions).

iMovie09, not so bad after all.

Being completely honest, I was totally bummed when I was unable to get the old iMovie to download to my computer. When I was in undergrad, I did a lot of multimedia work for a show I co-directed, as well as for various events surrounding First-Year student Orientation. All of the movie making and editing I did was on the old iMovie. Boo!
I have been working on my movie for tech class for what seems like FOREVER. I have been really frustrated with the project, and I have been struggling to get it finished. To me, the new iMovie is a lot less user friendly than the old. And for the life of me, I could not figure out how to integrate the effects and transitions into my movie. I am almost finished with it, and it is because the apple website and tutorials have helped me so much. If you, like me, are struggling to make your movie happen because of the new iMovie, check out this website. It really breaks things down and makes it simple. I recommend!

http://www.apple.com/ilife/imovie/#transitions
Apple Website, iMovie'09, What is iMovie?

Missing Georgia, Sweet Georgia.

While I love the diversity and character of New York City, I miss my slow paced, twangy accented, sweet, you can find nature at every corner Georgia. Don't get me wrong, there I things I do not miss also, but I think it took me actually moving away from GA, to realize how embedded in my heart and personality it is. I miss Atlanta, which I am noticing is the slower, sweeter version of NYC. I truly have been nostalgic for my homeland recently, so I have decided to share some gorgeous pictures of my Georgia with you

Why yes there is a kangaroo conservatory in Dawsonville, GA.
Mom and I at the High Museum of Art. The terracotta army was on exhibition there.
Sorry vegetarians, but I have to include a picture of my favorite Southern food staple, FRIED CHICKEN!
KANGAROOS! The largest population of kangaroo outside of Australia. Georgia's climate is very conducive to their needs.
I was excited!

. The above picture is a picture from the World of Coke (Coke's Empire is in ATL) that my girlfriend and I created.
Agnes Scott College: Where I went to undergrad in Decatur, GA. The most beautiful campus ever.
My middle nephew, D.J., running the bases at a Braves game in Atlanta. You can see ATL in the background!
My youngest nephew, Matty, doing the same!
Flowers at my family's mountain house in the GA mountains.
My cousin and I on the deck.
GA sunset on the moutains.
The valley.
My cousin and I at the creek.