2011 – Page 2 – Random Connections

Going Paperless with Google Docs

November 11, 2011 Tom 5 Comments

EdTech

Last week my superintendent came to me to after our last board meeting and said that the board was interested in holding paperless meetings. There is a vendor with a product specifically for this process, but I told him I’d also explore other options. So, for my meeting with my school tech coordinators on Thursday, … Read More “Going Paperless with Google Docs” »

Many Thanks

November 6, 2011 Tom 3 Comments

Family

It seems ridiculous to say that this has been a tough week. It most certainly has. Even having time to prepare, Dad’s passing was not easy for us, and his funeral on Saturday, while a celebration of his life and knowing he is now in a better place, was emotionally draining. The week began with … Read More “Many Thanks” »

Goodbye, Dad

November 3, 2011November 2, 2016 Tom 2 Comments

Family

I almost didn’t write this post. I wasn’t sure I could bring myself to do it. However, I’ve used this blog to document major events in the life of my family, as well as the community at large, so I shouldn’t shy away from this one, either. My father, Houston David Taylor, Sr., passed away … Read More “Goodbye, Dad” »

Blog Update

October 30, 2011 Tom No Comments

Family, Miscellaneous

Things may be a bit sparse of the next few weeks as far as posting is concerned. We are dealing with some serious issues on both sides of the family, and I may not have time to write as much as usual. Not that there’s been a lack of things about which to write. I … Read More “Blog Update” »

Sock Saga Update

October 28, 2011 Tom No Comments

EdTech

Last week I mentioned that I had received one sock in the mail. The idea was that if i wanted the sock’s mate, i’d need to visit their booth on the vendor floor at EdTech. One of my colleagues, Jay Lindler, reads this blog, and and stopped by their booth. He pulled up RandomConnections and … Read More “Sock Saga Update” »

Spirits of Springwood

October 24, 2011 Tom 3 Comments

History and Genealogy, Local, Photography

This past Sunday Laura and went on the Spirits of Springwood Tour sponsored by the Upcountry History Museum. Springwood Cemetery features many historic graves and lots of interesting headstones and carvings. I’ve visited many times on photo walks, but thought it would be interesting to get an “official” tour.

There were two tours scheduled – one starting at 5:00 pm and one at 6:45 pm. I initially wanted to do the 5:00 pm tour because the lighting would be so much better for photography. However, Laura convinced me that the 6:45 tour with flashlights would be fun, and that this wasn’t really a photography tour.

Photography tour or not, I came prepared. I had my DSLR with a 50mm f/1.8 lens, my trusty Nikon S70 sidearm, and the little infrared point-and-shoot I’d used on our Blue Ghost excursion. I knew a tripod wouldn’t be appropriate for a tour, so I brought cameras that would work well (mostly) in low-light situations.

As usual, we arrived early. I took advantage of the waning afternoon light to take a few photos.

Read More “Spirits of Springwood” »

Happy Frances Willard Day!

October 20, 2011 Tom No Comments

Weirdness

According to the South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 53, Chapter 3, Section 20… The fourth Friday in October in each year shall be set apart and designated in the public schools as Frances Willard Day and in each public school it shall be the duty of such school to prepare and render a suitable … Read More “Happy Frances Willard Day!” »

Speed of Lightning, Roar of Thunder

October 19, 2011 Tom 2 Comments

Entertainment, Music, Weirdness

Random Connections

Speed of Lightning, Roar of Thunder

00:00 /

There’s no need to fear! Underdog is here!

When criminals in this world appear
And break the laws that they should fear
And frighten all who see or hear
The cry goes up both far and near
For Underdog! Underdog! Underdog! Underdog!

Speed of lightning, roar of thunder
Fighting all who rob or plunder
Underdog. Underdog!

When in this world the headlines read
Of those whose hearts are filled with greed
Who rob and steal from those who need
To right this wrong with blinding speed
Goes Underdog! Underdog! Underdog! Underdog!

Speed of lightning, roar of thunder
Fighting all who rob or plunder
Underdog. Underdog!

‘Way back in the 1960s Underdog (along with Space Ghost, Spiderman, and the Fantastic Four) was part of may pantheon of Saturday morning superheroes. I loved the opening theme song, and Underdog’s rhyming discourse and over-the-top battles with Simon Bar Sinister and Riff Raff. I never did care much for Polly Purebred, though.

Of course, the best part of the show was the theme song:

A Sock in the Mail

October 18, 2011 Tom No Comments

EdTech, Weirdness

In a couple of weeks I’ll be heading to Myrtle Beach for the SC EdTech conference. This is our annual instructional technology conference for the state, and I haven’t been in about three years. I figured I needed to go this time around, and I’ll also be giving one of my Google Earth talks as … Read More “A Sock in the Mail” »

A Night at the Children’s Museum

October 13, 2011 Tom No Comments

Entertainment, Local

NOTE: It’s been a crazy week, and I’m just now getting around to posting this from last Friday’ nights outing.

Last night [Friday, October 7] the Children’s Museum of the Upstate held an Adult’s Only night. I had been wanting to visit the museum, so Laura and I and some of her colleagues from Furman bought tickets and headed on over.

The museum is located in the former home of the Greenville County Library. It’s an interesting space, with sweeping circular ramps leading from one level to the next, and perfect for some sort of museum or exhibit. I was very pleased that TCMU was able to move into that space with the library moved into its new building. It’s been open since 2009, but we haven’t been able to visit. Apparently they have a strict rule that you can’t visit if you don’t have a child with you. Kind of makes it hard for educators without children to check out what’s going on there.

We arrived right at 7:30 to see a line forming outside of the museum. Most of those in line were young adults in their 20s and early 30s – those without kids. It was very much a younger demographic. As we were in line, several of Laura’ colleagues from Furman (also in their 20s and early 30s) joined us. The line moved quickly, and soon we were wrist-banded and handed two tickets – one for an adult beverage, and one for a wine tasting.

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