Fun on the treadmill...

So...today was the first time I'd ever worked out at a hotel I'm staying at! There were a lot more people in the workout room than I thought there'd be. I guess I'm not the only nut in this hotel. I'd decided beforehand to use a treadmill to keep up with the jogging/running I've been doing..."on the road" with my wife. I chose the "speed interval" program on the treadmill not knowing for sure the pace I was keeping "on the road" each day. I found out that I'm faster "on the road" than I was on the treadmill. I realized this about half way into my workout. It was a great feeling knowing that the next time I get on a treadmill (tomorrow) I will be able to push myself closer to my "on the road" pace!

You know you are addicted when...

You know you are addicted to running and all the great exercise you are getting when...in preparation for an upcoming trip you...

...stake out the hotels web page to make sure they have a workout room.

...go to the grocery store to buy protein bars.

...pack your running shoes and workout close.

...buy a new iPhone sleeve because it's a pain to get the phone out of the old one.

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Seeing stars...

I was tired this morning...it's been a long week of reading, thinking, writing and revising. In and between all of that, Steph and I worked out 6 out of 7 days...including today's Spin class. I have to admit...I was a bit reluctant to get up and go this morning but I knew it was necessary...exercising has been THE KEY element in my quest to achieve one of my life goals...my Phd. I am quite positive that I'd be on the branch of a tree...ready to jump if it were not for the exercise routine we've established over the past 8 months. Saturday's Spin class is all about cardio...sprints, lots of hovering and standing ='s jogging and running...depending on how hard I push myself...which is hard! At the end of the session...with less than 10 minutes left...I started to see stars...proof that I was really pushing myself. I did not give up...I'm "in this" to get healthy...to balance my mind, body and spirit. So even though the "stars came out" I kept going...'til the end. As I finished the workout I thought...the stars "will come out" more often as the year progresses...school will be starting soon...my proposal class will be starting...and in and around all of that...I will be attempting to do my research and write my dissertation. The mere thought of it all makes me start to see stars. I refuse to stop and gaze at them though...when they come out, I will acknowledge them and pull from experiences like this morning...knowing that if I keep my head down and remain "in the game"...I will continue towards my goal.

Cicadas under the stars...

This morning's jog was eventful on many levels...we entered our 4th week of the Couch to 5K program...we matched a PR (personal record) for distance and...we were literally cheered on by a group of cicadas that situated themselves strategically along our route. At least...that's how I'm choosing to acknowledge their existence. A few of the cicadas watched and encouraged us quietly...unwilling to give up their voyeuristic position. Were they expecting other joggers at 5 in the morning? Many felt the urge to "get up" and "cheer" us on with their tymbals. One got so excited to see us that its movement and sound caused me to jump right out of my stride. It was a clear morning so a cluster of stars decided to join the cicadas-watching us from above. Unlike the cicadas, the stars were content to just watch Steph and I as we jogged--their silence a form of appreciation for what they were witnessing. The combination of cicadas and stars got me wondering whether or not professional or amateur runners (the women and men we see on TV...even Olympians) acknowledge or are influenced on any level by the crowd that gathers to watch them? Or...do they see us merely as cicadas...under the stars?

Perfect Pedal Strokes...

Our Cycling instructor likes to encourage us during the ride. "You can do it," "Don't give up," "Make sure your pedal strokes are perfect." I know why she does it...at least I think I do...she wants us to stay safe and get the most out of the ride. For some reason...I heard the call for perfect pedal strokes more this morning than anything else...to the point where it became a mantra for me...whether we were doing switchbacks (turns during a climb where you lead with your left or right foot)...or...while we were doing seated climbs...or when she told us to "release" and sprint...these 3 words...perfect pedal strokes...kept me focused...there was a moment late in the ride that I started thinking about stopping...I didn't mind you but the thought did occur to me that I could if I wanted to. What kept me going? What I'm finding with all of this cycling and jog/running is that a HUGE portion of the experience is MENTAL...which gets me thinking about how experiences like "this"...cycling, jogging/running...are great space...if you are willing to surrender to the experience...to re-wire your brain...re-wire it into believing that stopping is not an option...that what you are doing is good for you...that "this" is fun! When the instructor called for perfect pedal strokes...I found myself looking down at my feet...really focusing on pedaling through my heels...allowing myself to notice how "that" felt...up through my hamstring.

Words like "perfect pedal strokes" can be very motivating and this is getting me thinking about how well placed words/phrases can be motivating in other situations. Now...don't get me wrong...these words are not magical...there are many other variables in between the call for "perfect pedal strokes" and Tony looking down at his feet trying to define what that means. Several decisions need to be made both voluntary and involuntary. I just think it's interesting...I'm pretty sure that I latched on to "the call" because I am a perfectionist...I want to do things perfectly...so in this case...if you ask me to pedal perfectly...I'm going to try.

Ending with a haiku...in an attempt to pull it all together...

Cyclist's mind

calmed

By perfect pedal strokes

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Personal Records

Wednesday morning...continuing our Couch to 5K assault on the running world, we went for a great jog/run/walk and in the process...we reached a personal record in the 3 weeks we've participated...I know there will be days when we slip backwards but heck...doesn't that happen with everything...yoga, cycling, writing, teaching, friendships, marriage...life is full of slippage...there are days when we are better and days when we are not...the point is that we try!!! Post run yoga, a shower...and some breakfast...found myself spending some time reading on my ipad...the equivalent of reading the morning paper...only on my terms...the content I am interested in. In doing so, I came across a really interesting Digital Is...project on the NWP site about making...producing content...which is what I've been reading around relative to my research for the past few days...the impact of new (and old) media in classrooms...some really interesting linking and thinking happening in the video from David Gauntlett...led me to a book by Ivan Illich, Tools for Conviviality...if you're interested. I'd read Deschooling Society years ago while attempting to figure out what it was that I was passionate about relative to my research interests so it's interesting to me how he comes back into the fold...in this moment...through the very medium that I am interested in doing my research on...the circulation of ideas and knowledge via new media. His thinking about tools and their potential made me get the book and I'm sure I'll be able to use his thinking somewhere in my work. The whole concept of producing versus consuming is what motivated me to "get up" do a little freewriting then take a portion of my freewrite into this blogpost.

 

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Summer institute final blog post

I was a little hesitant to participate in this year's Summer Invitational. My dissertation proposal needs to be ready to defend by the end of August. I wasn't sure that my participating in the summer institute was going to allow me space to further my inquiry. Have I written as much as I could have during the past 12 days? No. I did do other things though. YES! I listened. I had conversations. I witnessed demonstrations that got me thinking about one aspect of my dissertation proposal--that being the circulation of ideas and knowledge both in and out of the classroom. Being in the same room for 12 days with educators that are as dedicated to the teaching of writing as I am is a very motivating experience. Your blog posts, your demonstrations, your inquiries into your own practice helped me see better how knowledge can circulate both inside and outside the classroom. I plan on taking these experiences back into my dissertation proposal writing. I thank each one of you for providing me this opportunity.

Path of my inquiry...

NWP SI...2004...'05, '06, '07 (Fall...started my doctoral program w/ Cindy, Lil, Lacy and Sally as thinking partners)...'08-'11...wrote around the fringes...blogging...panopticism...neoliberalism...capitalism...elementary school writing...(Fall of '1l...thought I'd do a historical look at Error...that didn't go well...talked to other thinking partners...Lil and Tony S...went back through all of my work and began to re-imagine it...weaving in and out of a conversation that already exists about the ways in which teachers and students relate to one another and between themselves...via their usage of tools...like daybooks and social media...during literacy instruction...started looking for connections...intersections...while preparing for my comprehensive exams...my literacy project informed my studying...my studying informed the project...skype sessions...talking to myself via scrivener...itunes...currently looking at ANT and how it may help me bridge the ideas I've composed to this point...creating a conversation between the macro and the micro...more writing...more thinking...more conversation with my thinking partners will help me figure out what moves need to be made next!

18th stage of the Tour de France...

This morning...our cycling class simulated the 18th stage of the Tour de France...I was focused...perfect pedaling...mind focused on the # of rpm's the instructor asked of us...we went up and down rolling mountains...I attempted to take the lead several times...visualizing what it would look like if I did...visualizing left turns...right turns...going down hill...in Cycle class...I use the music to get me where I need to be...there were moments during the ride that I thought about my writing...what I've done...what I need to do...I integrated that thinking into the turns...I integrated that thinking into the climbs...I noticed the thinking for what it was...let it go...then noticed other thoughts...am I pedaling through my heals...how's my breathing...are my shoulders relaxed...it was a very good ride and I want to bring that energy into the rest of the day with me!

The writer
     in front of this screen
Is searching for the sound

Thoughts about independent reading...

I'm using my blog to think with Debbie about (at this moment) independent reading...as far as school goes...I think it's crucial...we need...as teachers...to open up space for our students (and ourselves) to have this time...you don't become better at something unless you have time to practice it...the statistics that Debbie is sharing with us (see handout) validate that the more we read the better we get at it...now if I could just convince the data-driven machine that informs decisions in my school district to think this way...we may not have as many children struggling with EOG assessments...over the course of Debbie's demo...we explored several platforms that provide opportunities to share...socially what we are reading...like shelfari, glogster, story bird, book seer, good reads...these seem interesting and I'm wondering how I might bring any one of them into my classroom practice. Thanks to Debbie for giving us space to think about all of this!

Writing into my morning...

I'm really looking forward to a HUGE chunk of writing time today...right after SI...I'm going to "hunker down" at Amelie's (possibly)...to write! I've been writing around my proposal since last week...reading several articles that center around what is currently happening with digital literacies in elementary and adolescent education. Writing is writing and though I feel like I've not done this proposal justice during this past week...I have to come to terms with the fact that if I'm thinking, reading and writing around the proposal...that is forward movement...which has been my mantra since last Fall. Today...as I mentioned above is unique in that there will be actual "sit down" time to work on this thing. I'm also looking forward to today because I get to hang out with a friend that I don't get to see enough. Like me...my friend is engaged in doctoral work...a bit ahead of me...working on his actual dissertation...we're calling our meeting "the dissertation blues"...a time to riff, rant and talk ourselves through this moment in time.

Thoughts
     expanded
By riffing and ranting

Connections...

I'm reading an interesting article right now that gets me thinking about 2 demos we saw in SI today...the article talks about "connection code curriculum" a space where...digitized knowledge, networked environments and critical understandings of relations among ideas are valued. I saw some interesting connections today as we explored our notions of poetry, it was present as we looked at how to use Skype to annotate and re-familiarize ourselves with spaces in and around campus. Both experiences have me thinking about the circulation of knowledge. Both moments give me ways of thinking about how the creation of content for sharing means more than just producing and distributing this knowledge...it's pushing the boundaries of our practice. This pushing of boundaries gets complicated when the institution of school attempts to "hold on" to antiquated, print oriented ways of being. During a conversation not related to this post, a colleague mentioned that, "It's up to us to change things if we see that they are not working." I'm taking his thought and placing it here because I think his advise relates in that the amazing work and thinking we've seen/engaged in over the past two weeks is giving us all a chance to think more about how to change, re-see our practice.

Response to comments...

My last blog post has elicited some interesting comments...most of them supportive of a perceived emotion and/or intensity "read into" the blogger's (my own) words. As most of my audience knows (or has come to know) I tend to wear my emotions/frustrations etc. on my sleeve and my blog post was an attempt to address the way I was thinking...in that particular moment. In a "you get what you give" sort of moment...I got sympathy and a little empathy (compassion) when I presented the emotion of frustration with a level of intensity.

Zen blogger
       enlightened
By compassionate readers

What I wonder about...

What do I wonder about...do you really want to know...not be serious?? I'm not sure I can...there's no time to NOT be serious...there are deadlines to meet...meeting to be had...readings to be read...writing to be written...THAT'S WHAT I WONDER ABOUT!! How to fit it all in...get up...yoga or Spin...get ready for...whatever...school...SI...some sort of training to fly off to...it never seems like it's just...get up. From "there" the paths are as diverse as the day is SHORT...there are NEVER enough hours in the day to get to it all...I try...GOD knows I try...I try all the time. So...that's what I wonder about...when I wake up...how in the hell am I going to "do it" today??!!!

Revision=re-seeing...

Having the space to "play around" with revision strategies is always one of my favorite SI experiences. It gives me permission to be different...there's something about having the ideas right there in front of me...in handout form...that makes me more conscious of them. Why do I not see them when I'm sitting and composing? Is it because I am so fixated on what I think I should be doing that I forget...how do I balance between "staying really close" to my work and knowing when to "zoom out?" As I sat and participated in yesterday's revision session...I thought...as a writer...I'm always revising...I cannot just "dump stuff" on the page...I tried it but it didn't suit me...and to know that it does not suit me is a HUGE step in my evolution as a writer. The handout that we used yesterday may not be physically in front of me when I write but "it's all up there...in my head" engaging me in an internal conversation as I write...I may not be able to "name" what it is that I'm doing while I sit there but what I do works for me...it's meticulous...it's slow...it involves reading...re-reading, inserting, omitting, coding, commenting, Skyping. Maybe being more mindful of what is happening is the balance that I'm attempting to grasp at here. Hmmm...

Connections...spaces...enabling...constraining...

One of the cool things about NWP SI is the fact that there so many opportunities to make connections about the spaces we inquire into...if you are willing to "go down the rabbit hole." Case in point...the awesome stuff that we've been doing for the past few days is setting itself up to become a really cool connecting point for the inquiry I am going to engage in with my #unccwp peeps in just a few minutes. A way of tracing the social...what is happening within the E-Anthology 2.0 Day in the Life forum. Can't wait to talk about all of this!

2 hours for 2 minutes...

Yesterday during Day 3 of SI...I spoke with a colleague about whether or not it would be important for me to put together a video of my life as a writer? The participants of this experience are being asked to do and the fact that I just labeled "them" as participants puts me in the awkward position of being something "other" than that yet...I am participating...aren't I? Anyway...my colleague and I decided that it would be a good idea for the both of us to put something together. I'd just shown her some cool thinking I was doing in a digital space I'm using to put my dissertation proposal together. After listening to me babble about things, my colleague encouraged me to put "something quick" together about what I'd just shown her and to "just go for it." I shook my head in agreement...not knowing about the digital vortex I was about to jump into. When I home...I went about trying to figure out how to get a screen cast application (a way of video-ing what is happening on your computer screen) to work. When I couldn't figure out how to use it...I Google'd it. It was here that I found out that my computer already had the capability to do such things WITHOUT PAYING 6 bucks for an application! Yeah me for learning something new! So...I decided to go with the application my computer already had. It took a while but I figured out how to use it. Then...my next problem was trying to figure out how to layer audio over this masterpiece. I needed another program...iMovie. I've used this awesome tool a few times and my experience with it last night reminded me that like all things new...the only way you get better...is to keep using it. In the span of 2 hours I re-taught myself the difference between a new event and a new project...how to drag a video into the event...then to the project...how to layer audio over the video and how to finalize the whole project. I also learned that I'm not very good at just talking off the cuff while video is running. I ultimately needed my daybook to write a short script to help me through the voiceover. Even then...it took me 14 times to get it close to sounding like I wanted it. 2 hours for 2 minutes.

UNCCWP Day One: Location, location, location...

So we are only 90 minutes "out" of the first day of UNCCWP's Summer Invitational and I'm thinking more about the seamlessness of the day...how it all revolved around ideas related to location. Today's session was very helpful to me and what I'm thinking about with regards to my own research...which is an inquiry into what happens when teachers and students use different types of technologies (digital=blogs, analog=daybooks) during literacy instruction. I could see my students using the Writing Timeline that Sally had us create to trace a path of their own usage of their daybook or involvement on Kidblog (a blogging platform). I could see my students using Mapping experience I led the group through to think more about the classroom...how literacy circulates in that space. Even the Sacred Places experience that Lacy and Steve helped us with late this afternoon to literally "zoom out" and think...over a defined period of time...how literacy circulates in the different spaces (places) they occupy. The Mapping experience I lead may even help me...as a note-taking/making "tool" while I do my research. Hmmm...