Ray emailed me earlier today and it looks like Sarah's husband Jed is going to be able to solve our website problem. Jed works for a website development company (I think) and knows he can help us. The company he works for is in Ithaca and he said it would be good for them to get some exposure in Cortland. It sounds like this will work out for multiple people/businesses. We'll have to meet Jed in Ithaca but that's ok- I'm so excited to have this problem almost fixed! Thanks Sarah and Jed! : )
Here's my first post for the blog:
Like Ray, I feel that it is important that I introduce myself. My name is Katie Loizides and I’m a graduate student in the MAT English program at Cortland. I graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies and a minor in Theater. I also have a Bachelor’s degree in English, which I received in 2005. After graduating in 2003, I moved back home to Bellport, LI (www.bellport.com). I completed an internship with a local classic rock station and was offered a job in the promotions department with another neighboring station. It didn’t take long for me to realize that I didn’t want to wait around to climb the status ladder at any radio station. And I definitely didn’t want to sell office products for a place called Xtreme Promotions. But that’s post for a different day.
I was bored in my job as a counter waitress at the downtown coffee shop. I missed being involved in important events. I missed my fiancé Alex who was still up at Cortland. Although he changed his major several times, he decided on Geology and then the MAT Earth Science program. He suggested I come back to school for English (Cortland and most schools don’t have MAT programs in Communications or Theater) and then get my masters in teaching. So three years later, here I am. Since then I have gotten engaged, moved three times, and learned to love upstate New York.
As a naïve high school senior, I fell in love with Cortland’s campus. There was construction then much like there still is today. The second floor of Dowd was off limits and Clark Hall was being renovated. I didn’t quite know what I wanted to study but I did know I belonged on this campus. Old Main was and still is my favorite building. I can’t believe I’ve lived here on and off for seven years, I never thought I’d settle here!
As much as I miss summers on the beach and going wine tasting in the Hamptons I can’t imagine not being able to drive 20 minutes and see a breathtaking gorge and waterfall. If you’ve ever done it, driving on Long Island is not fun. One word—traffic. If you want to know where all the people are, they’re on the Long Island Expressway! That’s one of the reasons Alex and I decided to stay up here. There’s so much land up here. Except for when a Walgreen’s goes up right across from an Eckerd’s. When I look out of my window in the morning all I see is corn. And at night the sky sparkles with stars and goes on for miles.
It’s taken about seven years and I now feel like I belong here. Cortland has a way of growing on a person. The surrounding areas of Syracuse and Ithaca have helped. When giving campus tours as an undergraduate student, I used to talk to prospective students about how Cortland is centrally located. We have great cities and resources right within our reach. Skaneateles is one of the most beautiful areas I’ve been to in my life. But I digress…
I suppose I should talk about why I decided to become an English teacher. My Dad was a high school English and Drama teacher for over 30 years. He was dedicated and gave 100% every day and night. He worked long hours building plays and musicals from the ground up. His devotion to his students and his craft inspired me to want to do similar work. Did I mention my Mom was a teacher too? Many of friends’ parents were as well. I really couldn’t get away from education.
Since entering the MAT English program, I see how badly education needs me. It needs me and many other dedicated and devoted teachers. Today’s students are bored in school; they are not inspired to do work that matters to them. One of my goals for teaching is to get to know my students and discover what’s important in their lives.
I wouldn’t be writing this post if I didn’t believe technology was important for today’s students. Stay tuned for more musings on topics similar to these and also those related to revitalizing downtown Cortland.
"The times they are a-changin’. "
-Bob Dylan
I haven't written a second post yet...I'm hoping going downtown tomorrow night will inspire me...
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
welcome to the world baby girl
Hey all-
Thursday is my birthday and I'd like to go out after Chaucer. So please join me (and Alex) for a celebration drink. I figure we could check out Lucky's with DiCicco or head over to Hairy Tony's across the street.
I'd also like to organize a holiday party for the end of the semester. We're going to be separating soon after that and I'd really like to get together will all of you. It can be our last hurrah before we take the plunge! I'm willing to host the event at my apartment if the out-of-towners (which is most of you) would be willing to come up one afternoon/night. What do you think?
Thursday is my birthday and I'd like to go out after Chaucer. So please join me (and Alex) for a celebration drink. I figure we could check out Lucky's with DiCicco or head over to Hairy Tony's across the street.
I'd also like to organize a holiday party for the end of the semester. We're going to be separating soon after that and I'd really like to get together will all of you. It can be our last hurrah before we take the plunge! I'm willing to host the event at my apartment if the out-of-towners (which is most of you) would be willing to come up one afternoon/night. What do you think?
Sunday, October 22, 2006
There is hope for us!
http://www.syracuse.com/news/poststandard/index.ssf?/base/news-7/1161507727259090.xml&coll=1
Just some articles I found reading the Post-Standard. I was really inspired by the student movie. I wish I had had the opportunity to do something like this when I was in high school. I don't know if my school had a video production class. We might have. But I wasn't really interested in it then...or was doing too many other things. But reading articles like this and having speakers like Shade and Bob (or maybe it was Bill?) Exton gives me hope for my future as an English teacher in today's flat world.
On Will Richardson's blog it says his talk in Cortland is at 8:00 am on Nov. 7th. Is that true? That's what it says for all the times he's speaking at colleges all over. Maybe it's a mistake...but I was thinking that would be a difficult time for many of us to be on campus.
Welcome to the Movies
Hello all-
Hope this finds everyone after a nice relaxing weekend. Since I work Friday-Sunday mornings I can't say that my weekends are ever relaxing. I had customers driving through before I was even open! It usually helps if I can make the coffee first.
Anyway...Jenn and I got some footage of Alex and his PEZ for our movie. So far it looks good even though we haven't edited any of it yet. Windows MovieMaker has some cool special effects options. A word to the wise about the cameras borrowed from the library-- the memory cards only record 10 seconds at a time. Luckily Alex had a card with better capabilities in his digital camera. I'd suggest getting/borrowing a card with more memory, well obviously....We recorded about nine minutes so far. Also it took us some time to figure out how to hook up the camera to the tripod and make sure it moved smoothly. Just a little tip... All of our footage was filmed in my apartment and the sound was fine without using the microphone.
Does anyone know if we can incorporate images from the web into the movie footage? I assume it would work just like Garage Band.
About my final project:
Ray sent me the two "articles" he wrote for our blog/website. I don't know what to call it exactly b/c it's not up yet and it's going to be on the website as a blog. I guess it takes a very long time to set up a link on a website, Ray and I are going to see if someone in Winchell Hall (Technology Help Center) can help us. I'm also going to ask Alex's best friend who's a super computer nerd. He and Alex bought 16o GB hard drives at CompUSA yesterday for about $40. The one in the Carousel Mall is going out of business. Matt already has like 400 GB between four computers...or something like that. I dont' really know b/c when they talk about it it's like they're speaking another language. He even built a computer in his car. Anyway...I hope to make some headway with the blog on the website this week. And I will have something written to post to it.
That's about it for now...Good movie to rent: Lucky Number Slevin with Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, Sir Ben Kingsley, Josh Hartnett, and Lucy Liu.
Hope this finds everyone after a nice relaxing weekend. Since I work Friday-Sunday mornings I can't say that my weekends are ever relaxing. I had customers driving through before I was even open! It usually helps if I can make the coffee first.
Anyway...Jenn and I got some footage of Alex and his PEZ for our movie. So far it looks good even though we haven't edited any of it yet. Windows MovieMaker has some cool special effects options. A word to the wise about the cameras borrowed from the library-- the memory cards only record 10 seconds at a time. Luckily Alex had a card with better capabilities in his digital camera. I'd suggest getting/borrowing a card with more memory, well obviously....We recorded about nine minutes so far. Also it took us some time to figure out how to hook up the camera to the tripod and make sure it moved smoothly. Just a little tip... All of our footage was filmed in my apartment and the sound was fine without using the microphone.
Does anyone know if we can incorporate images from the web into the movie footage? I assume it would work just like Garage Band.
About my final project:
Ray sent me the two "articles" he wrote for our blog/website. I don't know what to call it exactly b/c it's not up yet and it's going to be on the website as a blog. I guess it takes a very long time to set up a link on a website, Ray and I are going to see if someone in Winchell Hall (Technology Help Center) can help us. I'm also going to ask Alex's best friend who's a super computer nerd. He and Alex bought 16o GB hard drives at CompUSA yesterday for about $40. The one in the Carousel Mall is going out of business. Matt already has like 400 GB between four computers...or something like that. I dont' really know b/c when they talk about it it's like they're speaking another language. He even built a computer in his car. Anyway...I hope to make some headway with the blog on the website this week. And I will have something written to post to it.
That's about it for now...Good movie to rent: Lucky Number Slevin with Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, Sir Ben Kingsley, Josh Hartnett, and Lucy Liu.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Movie Project
Jenn Gee and I are going to work together on the movie project. Here are some of our ideas:
Interview Tom Terwilliger (Mando Books) and Aaron Gray about the opening of their new bar downtown, The Red Jug. At the 40 Below Summit Tom told me the bar will most likely be opening this weekend. We would ask to have a preview, go and film the bar empty during the day and then check it out over the weekend as well. Our only concern would be getting release forms for potentially everyone that will be at the opening. And also we'd worry about under age students as well. I emailed Tom but haven't heard back from him. There are two explanations for this: 1. I can't check my email; AOL is being a bitch today. 2. Tom runs Mando Books and The Red Jug and his wife just had a baby a little over a month ago. So we'll see....
Homer Arts Council is hosting Fantasy Art Exhibit by Tom Kidd. Check out this website...
www.cortlandevents.com Even if we don't do the movie on this, it would be a cool event to check out.
A documentary of some sorts on PEZ collecting. Some of you may know that my fiancee, Alex collects PEZ. We go to a PEZ convention every summer in Cleveland titled PEZ-a-Mania. Alex has over a 1,000 dispensers in his collection and that's not counting all the other stuff. He's got giant PEZ, giant stuffed PEZ, lunchboxes, puzzles, PEZ costumes, and MUCH MORE. We can't go anywhere without searching for PEZ. People call us and ask if he's got certain dispensers. It's his whole life, well besides me and school. He's always on ebay buying, buying, buying. He gets at least one package in the mail a week. Our office is the PEZ room in the apartment. His room at home is out of control. We'd have to go there to film so you all could the full effect. I think this would really speak to a lot of younger kids out there. And it's fun and quirky and might even get published on CurrentTV. It's a whole world I knew nothing about before I met Alex. We're going to have the PEZ bride and groom as our cake topper and give out the Valentine's hearts as favors for the wedding. (I figured wedding favors are so stupid and ugly most of the time, why not give people something that really screams Katie and Alex?!) Well those are our ideas...any feedback?
Interview Tom Terwilliger (Mando Books) and Aaron Gray about the opening of their new bar downtown, The Red Jug. At the 40 Below Summit Tom told me the bar will most likely be opening this weekend. We would ask to have a preview, go and film the bar empty during the day and then check it out over the weekend as well. Our only concern would be getting release forms for potentially everyone that will be at the opening. And also we'd worry about under age students as well. I emailed Tom but haven't heard back from him. There are two explanations for this: 1. I can't check my email; AOL is being a bitch today. 2. Tom runs Mando Books and The Red Jug and his wife just had a baby a little over a month ago. So we'll see....
Homer Arts Council is hosting Fantasy Art Exhibit by Tom Kidd. Check out this website...
www.cortlandevents.com Even if we don't do the movie on this, it would be a cool event to check out.
A documentary of some sorts on PEZ collecting. Some of you may know that my fiancee, Alex collects PEZ. We go to a PEZ convention every summer in Cleveland titled PEZ-a-Mania. Alex has over a 1,000 dispensers in his collection and that's not counting all the other stuff. He's got giant PEZ, giant stuffed PEZ, lunchboxes, puzzles, PEZ costumes, and MUCH MORE. We can't go anywhere without searching for PEZ. People call us and ask if he's got certain dispensers. It's his whole life, well besides me and school. He's always on ebay buying, buying, buying. He gets at least one package in the mail a week. Our office is the PEZ room in the apartment. His room at home is out of control. We'd have to go there to film so you all could the full effect. I think this would really speak to a lot of younger kids out there. And it's fun and quirky and might even get published on CurrentTV. It's a whole world I knew nothing about before I met Alex. We're going to have the PEZ bride and groom as our cake topper and give out the Valentine's hearts as favors for the wedding. (I figured wedding favors are so stupid and ugly most of the time, why not give people something that really screams Katie and Alex?!) Well those are our ideas...any feedback?
Ok well the Cortland Downtown Project seems to be at a stand-still. Well for me, at least. I went to both events hosted at the Beard Building but I still don't have anything to write about for our blog/website that's not even up yet. It is coming though! The events were kind of boring. The 40 Below Summit was interesting, except for the press conference at the beginning where Senator Seward gave out grants. I couldn't even hear what anyone was saying. A bunch of local groups, including SUNY Cortland got grants. I didn't really get to talk to anyone I didn't already know. I formally introduced myself to a Coffeemania customer that works at the JM Murray Center. And I talked to Tom from Mando Books but I know him pretty well already. (Sidenote: Jen Gee and I might try to do our video project on Tom's new bar downtown, The Red Jug.) But I just feel like most people knew each other because they were business owners and wouldn't think to talk to me. And Lloyd doesn't want Ray and I to be reporters. Oh one thing that was kind of cool was after the intro from Syracuse's 40 Below president, the group was to take 15 minutes and write down ideas on Post-It notes. We were supposed to write down things we'd want to see changed or happen in Cortland. My idea was to make Main St. a two-way street again. But after that, I don't know what happened b/c I left after that. I had to go to ENG 640.
In terms of themes for this class, the blog/website fulfills the technology portion. I hope that our section of Cortland Downtown's website makes it more exciting, it's kind of a boring page. Maybe Ray and I could set up a Flickr account and take pictures of downtown Cortland. We could possibly even set up some del.icio.us tags. I don't know...I'm just brainstorming.
In terms of themes for this class, the blog/website fulfills the technology portion. I hope that our section of Cortland Downtown's website makes it more exciting, it's kind of a boring page. Maybe Ray and I could set up a Flickr account and take pictures of downtown Cortland. We could possibly even set up some del.icio.us tags. I don't know...I'm just brainstorming.
Monday, October 09, 2006
A lot to say
A lot of things have been running through my head since Tuesday's class. Things that go a little something like this:
I'm overwhelmed by the amount of work required for this course. I can't seem to keep up with the readings. It's frustrating when we are asked to read so much and can't devote ample time to all of it in class. It's difficult to find a happy medium when tech problems arise and visitors visit. I suppose the discussions are supplemented on the blog. But I'm still old school when I read something that's assigned I want to discuss it face to face. I'm getting used to the blog...but it's still taking some time.
I'm extremely frustrated with my podcast. I spent so much time (as did we all) on finding the right pictures and images and no one will ever get to see them. My topic warranted an accompaniment (sp?) of many images. Violence against women affects all women all over the world. I wanted to capture that mood with the images. Also I wasn't aware that using a song from a CD that I purchased at a store was copyright infringement. How would I have avoided this? Would I have given credit to the lovely Natalie Merchant at the end of the podcast? I just never realized how many restrictions are out there. As I stated on the class blog I would never dream of plagiarizing when writing a paper. Before doing a play/musical you must apply and then pay for the rights. Personally I'm still battling with file sharing. I did it and still do on occasion. I guess this should be any different than applying for the rights to a play. It's just a hard concept to grasp when music was available for free for so long and now (most times) it has to be paid for. Back to the podcast- I really liked what I thought was my finished product and wish you all could see it. The Vagina Monologues has been an important part of my life for four years now and it would have been great to share with you all.
Downtown Partnership
First off, I'd like to thank Ray for posting such a detailed message about our meeting with Lloyd. So thanks Ray.
The Beard Building is beautiful. I haven't been upstairs yet which I'm guessing is where classes will be held. I don't want to have the blog be titled the Blue Frog Blog. It's cute that it rhymes but the blog isn't about the Blue Frog. Yes we'll probably be writing there but I don't like the association. I also don't like it because I work at Coffeemania. We are two different types of coffee shops, the Blue Frog is a sit down and Coffeemania is a drive-thru. So we're not really in competition with them. But I just don't like the idea. I went to the open house on Thursday night. It was written up in the paper, you'll see my name...Alex and I were inteviewed. It's funny because she wrote that I skipped class to go. Well I left early to check things out...Anyway, I didn't really know anyone there. I recognized a few people, but I think that's because they are customers from Coffeemania. It would have been nice to mingle a little bit more and chat with some business owners. maybe there will be more opportunity for that at the 40 Below event. It's this Thursday for business owners 40 and under, or those 40 at heart who are dedicated to revitalizing Cortland. Should be a fun event...hope I can make it. Dr. Wolf might not like me "skipping" class two weeks in a row. Lloyd wants us to have 2 articles up ASAP. I don't know what to write about. I went to the Pumpkin Fest yesterday...it was bigger than I remember. Lloyd wants us to question ourselves, and ask why before and during our writing. He said that's his journalism background speaking up. But I'm having trouble with this. I kind of thought we would be reporters for the Downtown Partnership Blog. But he doesn't want us to do only that. I'm interested in what events/happenings have to do with SUNY Cortland as well. Maybe I could write an article discussing how all of this is important for SUNY Cortland. How it's important to bring the campus downtown. Essentially, there would not be a downtown if it wasn't for the college.
That's all I got right now. I want to post about Friedman but there's so much, I don't know where to start!
I'm overwhelmed by the amount of work required for this course. I can't seem to keep up with the readings. It's frustrating when we are asked to read so much and can't devote ample time to all of it in class. It's difficult to find a happy medium when tech problems arise and visitors visit. I suppose the discussions are supplemented on the blog. But I'm still old school when I read something that's assigned I want to discuss it face to face. I'm getting used to the blog...but it's still taking some time.
I'm extremely frustrated with my podcast. I spent so much time (as did we all) on finding the right pictures and images and no one will ever get to see them. My topic warranted an accompaniment (sp?) of many images. Violence against women affects all women all over the world. I wanted to capture that mood with the images. Also I wasn't aware that using a song from a CD that I purchased at a store was copyright infringement. How would I have avoided this? Would I have given credit to the lovely Natalie Merchant at the end of the podcast? I just never realized how many restrictions are out there. As I stated on the class blog I would never dream of plagiarizing when writing a paper. Before doing a play/musical you must apply and then pay for the rights. Personally I'm still battling with file sharing. I did it and still do on occasion. I guess this should be any different than applying for the rights to a play. It's just a hard concept to grasp when music was available for free for so long and now (most times) it has to be paid for. Back to the podcast- I really liked what I thought was my finished product and wish you all could see it. The Vagina Monologues has been an important part of my life for four years now and it would have been great to share with you all.
Downtown Partnership
First off, I'd like to thank Ray for posting such a detailed message about our meeting with Lloyd. So thanks Ray.
The Beard Building is beautiful. I haven't been upstairs yet which I'm guessing is where classes will be held. I don't want to have the blog be titled the Blue Frog Blog. It's cute that it rhymes but the blog isn't about the Blue Frog. Yes we'll probably be writing there but I don't like the association. I also don't like it because I work at Coffeemania. We are two different types of coffee shops, the Blue Frog is a sit down and Coffeemania is a drive-thru. So we're not really in competition with them. But I just don't like the idea. I went to the open house on Thursday night. It was written up in the paper, you'll see my name...Alex and I were inteviewed. It's funny because she wrote that I skipped class to go. Well I left early to check things out...Anyway, I didn't really know anyone there. I recognized a few people, but I think that's because they are customers from Coffeemania. It would have been nice to mingle a little bit more and chat with some business owners. maybe there will be more opportunity for that at the 40 Below event. It's this Thursday for business owners 40 and under, or those 40 at heart who are dedicated to revitalizing Cortland. Should be a fun event...hope I can make it. Dr. Wolf might not like me "skipping" class two weeks in a row. Lloyd wants us to have 2 articles up ASAP. I don't know what to write about. I went to the Pumpkin Fest yesterday...it was bigger than I remember. Lloyd wants us to question ourselves, and ask why before and during our writing. He said that's his journalism background speaking up. But I'm having trouble with this. I kind of thought we would be reporters for the Downtown Partnership Blog. But he doesn't want us to do only that. I'm interested in what events/happenings have to do with SUNY Cortland as well. Maybe I could write an article discussing how all of this is important for SUNY Cortland. How it's important to bring the campus downtown. Essentially, there would not be a downtown if it wasn't for the college.
That's all I got right now. I want to post about Friedman but there's so much, I don't know where to start!
Monday, October 02, 2006
Blown Away
So after reading some blogs, I am blown away. This class has taken off and left me waving from the gate. Everyone else's blogs are far more sophisticated and full of inspiring content. I think I need to carry my laptop around with me and blog every time I have a thought about this class, which is often. There's just so much to say/think about/discuss. I'm glad we're having a discussion tomorrow.
Can someone help me with Flickr and del.ici.ous tomorrow before class? Both are not working and after seeing pictures of Charm and Jack's weddings I realize I'd like to share some of my photos with you all too.
I mentioned this on Rachel's blog but I'd like to propose it to the class here too. I'd love to have an online forum/blog/website where we can share our ideas, thoughts, lesson ideas, book suggestions, etc. Many of us will be student teaching in the spring and would greatly benefit from something like this. If we kept it up we could use it next fall when we start teaching as well. We could contact recent graduates of this program to help too. We know Shade Gomez would be a wonderful resource. Any takers?
Time to get ready to serve coffee to perfect strangers!
Can someone help me with Flickr and del.ici.ous tomorrow before class? Both are not working and after seeing pictures of Charm and Jack's weddings I realize I'd like to share some of my photos with you all too.
I mentioned this on Rachel's blog but I'd like to propose it to the class here too. I'd love to have an online forum/blog/website where we can share our ideas, thoughts, lesson ideas, book suggestions, etc. Many of us will be student teaching in the spring and would greatly benefit from something like this. If we kept it up we could use it next fall when we start teaching as well. We could contact recent graduates of this program to help too. We know Shade Gomez would be a wonderful resource. Any takers?
Time to get ready to serve coffee to perfect strangers!
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Downtown Partnership Project
Hi kids-
I'm sorry it's been so long since I've blogged. Does anyone read this thing anyway? As you all know I'm very excited to work with Ray and Lloyd on the Downtown project. We haven't met with Lloyd yet, our meeting is scheduled for this Wednesday actually. So I'm not really sure what to "propose." Here are some things I am hoping and anticipating doing over the next 2 months or so. Going to events downtown like the Apple Festival, checking out new businesses, finding out what's going on with the new bars that once were Murphy's and Bald Lucy's. I'm hoping Ray and I will be setting up a blog and writing about downtown. I would love to go to a meeting detailing the plans for the new Clocktower building. Eat at restaurants and critique them. It would be cool to have a section of the blog devoted to college students only. We could put together a restaurant guide so they know the best places in town to check out when their families are in town. This section would also detail events happening downtown, like music nights at the Blue Frog. We could have an over 21 section too, to let those legal students know about the happenings (bands and special give-a-way nights) at certain places. This of course would have to be prefaced with safe drinking tips or advice. We could post a list of cab numbers.
But again I don't know what Lloyd has in mind for us. I'll find out on Wednesday I guess. The Downtown Partnership's open house is this Thursday. I'm very excited to check that out. What's everyone else thinking about?
I'm sorry it's been so long since I've blogged. Does anyone read this thing anyway? As you all know I'm very excited to work with Ray and Lloyd on the Downtown project. We haven't met with Lloyd yet, our meeting is scheduled for this Wednesday actually. So I'm not really sure what to "propose." Here are some things I am hoping and anticipating doing over the next 2 months or so. Going to events downtown like the Apple Festival, checking out new businesses, finding out what's going on with the new bars that once were Murphy's and Bald Lucy's. I'm hoping Ray and I will be setting up a blog and writing about downtown. I would love to go to a meeting detailing the plans for the new Clocktower building. Eat at restaurants and critique them. It would be cool to have a section of the blog devoted to college students only. We could put together a restaurant guide so they know the best places in town to check out when their families are in town. This section would also detail events happening downtown, like music nights at the Blue Frog. We could have an over 21 section too, to let those legal students know about the happenings (bands and special give-a-way nights) at certain places. This of course would have to be prefaced with safe drinking tips or advice. We could post a list of cab numbers.
But again I don't know what Lloyd has in mind for us. I'll find out on Wednesday I guess. The Downtown Partnership's open house is this Thursday. I'm very excited to check that out. What's everyone else thinking about?
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