Expensive Copies

I am working on my notebook project for a class and have many pages to print out for it. The printer that I have goes through ink like crazy, so I figured I would go to the library to print out the colored pages and just print the white ones out at home. I lug all my stuff to the library and sit down at a computer. I bring a few bucks thinking copies were about 10 cents each. I looked a the printer and it says "50 cents for colored copies!" are you serious? ONE page costs 50 cents!? I can buy a whole stack of paper for 3.99. I packed up my stuff and left. How is everything so darn expensive anymore!?

Pens Game

I am so excited to watch the Pens game tonight. For ONCE I don't have a to work, and I can have a beer and some wings and watch the game. I haven't been able to watch ONE playoff game! Is anyone else doing anything for the game tonight? I can't believe how long of a season hockey is. Here I am coaching for 8 weeks for track and field and meanwhile, hockey has been going on since October-Longest season ever!

Health topic-allergies

I love the nice weather, don't get me wrong. It puts you in such a good mood. BUT, I know when it's going to be warm that day by how much I start sneezing in the morning. The spores are out, and the mold count is up and I have been sneezing all day long! I went to get some allergy meds today at Giant Eagle and let me tell you----they are expensive! A box of 12 tablets can be 10 bucks. UGH! So I just left without buying any. Why can't companies quit competing and just make something affordable? No one wants to deal with histamines and allergies AND no money!

End of the semester

Wow.... end of the semester.... cram session... get all of your work done ASAP. I feel like a headcase anymore. I'm pinching for time. I used to be the biggest procrastinator, but what's funny is that I am still getting things done last minute and I'm not even procrastinating! I just have zero extra time to get ahead! Track meets are crazy right now, so many papers are due...It's driving me nuts! I got the e-folio done a little bit late as well as the advanced power point. Jeff and I just got our podcast in on time and I have to do my digital video on Sunday. I really think the digital video will be easy because it's something I'm used to coaching (hurdles) and I have my own camcorder. I figure as long as it is nice on Sunday (my only day with NADA scheduled), then I will get it done ASAP. Thank goodness for 4pin-4pin cables!

Spring time

It was so nice today! It was sunny and 66 degrees. Finally I didn't feel all gloomy while looking at rain and clouds. I was so excited that summer is only 2 months away. I saw kids playing in the park, boys playing basketball at the courts, people walking/jogging, playing with their pets, etc. I think I'm one of those people with that seasonal disorder stuff. You just feel so crappy when it's ugly outside! Thank good it's getting warmer.

Expensive Technology

I just went to Circut City and spend 35 bucks on a firewire cable and 60 bucks on ink cartridges. Are you serious? Why are things so expensive? And then I put gas in my little 4-door sedan and that was $37 bucks to fill it up! I can't afford to live anymore! (ok, a little dramatic) But there are so many expenses out there it's just ridiculous. 3 little things, and I spent $75 bucks at Circuit City. Will prices EVER go down? Probably not.

Camcorders

I recently got a camcorder for my birthday. I'm reading the instruction manual and tryin to make sense of what I am doing. The problem I have is that I don't understand some of the technology terms to understand what I'm doing! I just googled some stuff to get extra info on firewire cables, USBs, zooms and pixels. It was so much easier with the bulky VHS recorders! I guess I have to get used to this technological generation. I'm kinda grateful right now to TECH Pete because I have learned things.

Outdoor Pursuits

Our big camping trip was scheduled last Saturday to Sunday in the Allegheny Forest. I packed the night before, prepared to have all of my warm clothes and meals prepared. That night, I received an email from Mr. Smith saying that we are going to go to Plan C. None of us knew what was going on, but we knew something was changing in our plans. I had a feeling that someone was wrong with the vans. That's exactly what happened. When we got to the field house Saturday morning Mr. Smith said that the vans were mis-scheduled and we couldn't go backpacking. So what did we do? Hiked to the SRU campground/ski lodge with our backpacks and did high ropes courses all day. We heated lunch on the camping burners, and left at 6. I had mixed feelings about the camping trip. I was prepared to stay over in the woods, but it was going to be 15 degrees, and a long night! It all worked out in the end.

Sleep or lack of

My health-related topic is sleep. I have a lot of information on how sleep is beneficial to the body, the effects of sleep-deprivation on the body, and how to get a better night's sleep. WELL.... I'm not getting much sleep at all! If I get 5 hours a night recently, I'm lucky. There is so much homework and projects to complete I am going insane! And people say, don't procrastinate. I HAVE to because I am working on so many other things that I cannot work ahead of time. Plus I don't just have school. I work at night, and I'm head varsity track coach at a local high school. I have been busy getting our field ready for meets, solidifying plans with boosters regarding fundraisers, finding best prices for T-shirt orders, managing those missing practice, etc. I haven't done laundry in months, don't eat right, don't get to work out, and don't do anything social more than 2-3 times a month. Ahh! I'm ready to graduate!

NASPE Talk/Forum

We just turned in our NASPE copies today. I couldn't beleive how many people post on there! So many professionals are die-hards about physical education topics. It's neat to see how passionate people are and the topics posted that I hadn't even thought about. I thought my topics were relevant and interesting, but didn't expect professionals to respond. BUT!--- I had the president of an AAHPERD-type organization from Texas and Wisconsin respond to my topics. They sent me valuable information. I will consider keeping up with the list-serv. I think it will be very helpful in the future when I'm teaching and need some guidance and ideas.

Communication problems

I'm a head varsity track coach for a local high school and the kids were on spring break all week. Why high schools have a spring break is beyond me, but I still made practice mandatory. Some kids didn't show up at all and gave the excuse (well their parents even made the excuse) that "My parents were at work and I didn't have a car to get to practice and I don;t have a roster to call someone to get me." Ok... so you are going to tell me, that with Facebook, Myspace, email, text and cell phone calls, that you can't get in touch with someone on your team OR you don't have the number of one of your fellow 70 athletes on the team? What crap! With technology these days, don't try to pull a fast one on me. I even told a parent that this week, whose daughter is quite popular and tried to pull the "i dont have a ride', that with all the technology, that she could have found a ride if she needed.

Camping Trip-Outdoor Pursuits

We are going on our camping trip in Outdoor Pursuits next weekend. I absolutely love camping, but right now I am sick with a deep cough and chest cold! I am going to be in big trouble for the trip if I'm still sick. Plus, in the Allegheny National Forest it's going to be cold, we are going to not sleep much, and I'm going to be miserable. Instead of brown rice and cooked frozen chicken, I'm going to be boiling water to make Cup O Noodles. Is there anyone who has already gone on this trip and either was sick when they went, got sick when they came back, or could tell me anything else about it? Thanks.

Pens Game

On Wednesday, I went to the Pens vs Sabres game. I thought since Crosby and some other key players were out, we were going to be in trouble, but we won 7-3. It was a really good game. Our seats were in B, 13 rows up from the ice and we were surrounded by crazy Pens fans who were dancing with their bright yellow foam finger and puck hat. Of course I had my stadium food on a tray: nachos, hot dog, beer, and root beer float. I have to say that I love the Mellon Arena; it's been a part of Pittsburgh for many years. BUT we need cup holders! When Paetsch knocked out Larque RIGHT in front of us, I had to stand up with my whole tray and eat/drink from there since everyone had to stand up to see what was going on. Even the 6 year old sitting next to me was talking how he himself knocks out other players at HIS own hockey games. Sh0uld we be having hockey in gym class???? I remember playing floor hockey as a freshmen and taking it so seriously, other students would let me have the ball and score. Anyway, it was a fun game.

Skittles gets kid in trouble

Ok.. so tell me if this is ridiculous. An 8th grader gets suspended, his VP class honor taken away from him, and is no longer recognized as an honors student because he bought a bag of Skittles in school from a friend. Are you KIDDING!? Ok.. so the school had a ban on candy as part of a wellness policy. The kid shouldn't have candy in school; I get it. But SUSPENDED!? What is WRONG with this world? Give him detention. It's SKITTLES... not a gun.

McDonalds In Calif has a makeover

A McDonald's in the suburbs of L.A. has gotten rid of the plastic furniture, Ronald McDonald statue, and yellow and red colors. The only thing that is the same is the menu and golden arches. Feng shui has taken over, with leather seats, bamboo plants, waterfalls, and earth tones. Feng shui is a an ancient Chinese practice where objects are re-arranged to promote health, prosperity, and harmony. Owners of the McDonald's say they hope people will feel calm and peaceful, likely to return. I found this info on msn.com also. Wouldn't that be weird to see a McDonald's like that that?

Carry a PC in your Pocket

I was reading on msn.com that there is a way to carry your PC in your pocket without actually bringing your PC with you. There are USB flashdrives called keychains or thumb drives that have all the tools and files loaded from your computer. All you do is take the keychain to an internet cafe, with you on travel, or to school and not worry about lugging your computer. How cool is that?

Too Expensive to eat healthy

It has been 5 years since I graduated college with my undergrad where I did 4 years of track and field. It was easy to go to the gym, track practice, and lift because I didn't have to work! It was class, track, go out! Because I was burning so many calories, I was able to eat what I wanted and keep a figure. But now, I must work at it. Because my day is 5am-midnight, it's hard for me to get a workout in. Recently, I am trying to do cardio and abs every day, and hope to lift a few days a week. the biggest problem I have? FOOD! I love to eat... I love fast food, chocolate, junk, etc. I still, somehow, have kept a figure, but I want to start eating healthy. The problem? TOO EXPENSIVE!! I eat Kashi cereal for breakfast, but I want to buy lots of fruits, chicken, veggies, etc, but let me tell you, I cant afford it. I bought blueberries that were $4, strawberries for $3 and wanted to buy Albacore tuna.. but even that was expensive! How is the Surgeon General going to say that obesisty is an epedemic in AMerica and we need to eat healthy, but no one can afford the healthy foods out there! It is really irritating!

Taxi service is Pittsburgh is RIDICULOUS

So my girlfriends and I met up this weekend for an overnighter at the Hilton and a night out in the South Side. We haven't seen each other in months since we graduated college a few years ago, and wanted the night to be fun! It was until we ended up at some crazy bar/party wayyyy back in the South Side. It wasn't even CLOSE to the main street where any other bars were. It was 1 AM so we decided to call a cab. "All circuits are busy now.... please try again later" is what we heard when trying to get TO the South Side 4 hours earlier! Nothing had changed! It was the same message when we were trying to get HOME! How are you going to have one cab service in Pittsburgh??? No one could get through. I kept having to hang up and call back numerous times until I got through, but even that was "all customer service reps are busy, please stay on the line for the next rep." Are you kidding? I'm not calling to check up on my credit card bill or cancel my cable, I'm trying to get a darn cab! I finally hung up when my friend's boyfriend said he'd get us, even though he was sleeping since he had to work early in the morning. My thing is, with all the new technology in the world today, I would expect to get through to a cab service in a big city A LITTLE FASTER AND MORE EFFICIENT! ugh!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Will your Car rat you out??

I was reading on msn.com that technology in cars can actually tell how you have been driving. Due to GPS and tracking systems, new technology could be coming out very soon. Parents would be able to tell via email sent from their cars GPS system whether their child made it to a specific destination, went outside the boundaries of their hometown, how fast they drove, etc. Insurance companies would be able to track your mileage since many drivers report low-mileage each year to receive discounts on their car insurance. Safe-driver discounts could be monitored telling insurance companies how quickley you've braked after a certain MPH, how sharp a turn you took, etc. Ex-DUI offenders could even be required to use cars that have a breathilizer system. You must blow into the analyzer before your car is automatically started. Thinking a sober person could do that for you to drive home? Think again. The steering wheel would have sensors detecting heart rate, and other biomechanical devices that would authorize the driver to repeat a code. Finally, other parts of the steering wheel could detect the BAL in tissue. SOOO crazy how technology these days can do THAT much!

Sedentary Lifestyle affects National Parks

I was reading on msn.com that national parks around the world have been visited 25% less since 1987. The reason suspected? Sedentary lifestyle. Adults and children alike and are involved with too much tv, video games, text messaging etc. Children aren't playing outside anymore, and parents are getting used to the idea of not taking nature-like trips. Is it proven that this is the reason? No... but it does make sense to researchers. And it makes sense to me! If obesity is rising, children are involved with technology and not playing outside, then why would a family want to take a vacation at a national park where they have to walk trails, hike, and camp? It's easier to relax in a hotel/cruise in the Carribean or laying on the beach not having to move. Lazy people!

Athletes Exempt from Gym Class

I was coaching high school track and field yesterday for non-mandatory conditioning. As the kids were talking amongst themselves during stretches, I overheard some of my athletes claiming that they shouldn't have to take gym class because they are in a sport. I overheard another say that he shouldn't have to make-up gym class if he was absent because he is in shape from hockey over the winter. I wanted to tell these kids something else!! BUT, I remember I thought the same thing when I was in high school gym class. I loved gym class.... I was competitive and bossy. When I had to leave early for a track meet, I didn't have to make gym up because I was in a sport. Kids don't understand the concept of gym at all. It's not just a class period where they can shoot hoops or play dodgeball, while the non-athletic kids huddle in the corner or claim to feel ill so they can sit on the sideline. I realize that as a soon-to-be teacher, I have to separate athletes from gym class. They are NOT related at all. Physical education has nothing to do with having to be athletic. It's about breaking down skills, demonstration, and having the students practice these skills step by step so they understand why they must do it correctly. Just because you are an athlete doesn't mean you can't learn new skills. And just because you may be considered athletic doesn't mean you shouldn't involve yourself in the class. We as teachers need to really work on separating athletes from physical edcuation class to bring the group together as a whole instead of separating the group.

Companies that are Fading away

I was reading on aol.com about companies that may be fading out in 2008. Not all will eliminate completely, but they will be broken up into parts and sold. Here is the list:
Motorola, Sears Holdings (Sears and K-Mart), Citigroup, Ford, Yahoo!, AMD, Sprint, and QWest.

The ones that surprised me were Motorola, Sprint, Yahoo and Ford. Why are they fading? Because they can't keep up with the current technology of their competitors. Motorola used to be the number 2 hand-set maker just two years ago which started with the Razr phone. They never had another great 'burst of technology' since and others are passing them up. Currently Samsung, Nortel, and Cisco may be buying parts of Motorola.

Sprint has been in trouble with phone service for a few months now, with stocks falling like crazy. Verizon and AT&T are soaring with faithful customers. Comcast is considering purchasing Sprint to offer a bundle package which includes cable, internet and now wireless services.

Although Google leads the search engine world, Yahoo is on the line, considering to be bought out by Microsoft for at least $30 billion. Google and Microsoft have been battling it out ever since Google purchased DoubleClick for a large amount of funds. Yahoo cannot survive on it's own.

Ford fading?? America's car? I know foreign cars are made well, like Nissan for example, but I never thought Ford would go out of business. SOme plants have closed down in recent history, leaving long-term workers out of jobs, and costs of parts are plenty expensive. All in all, Ford is in trouble!

Phys Ed: Sitting Volleyball

Yesterday in Net/Wall, we learned about the beginning of volleyball and also beach volleyball. As we were going through the power points, a new game of volleyball showed up called Sitting Volleyball. Sitting Volleyball?! Um, how can that be?? It was created in 1956 by the Dutch Sports Committee for the disabled and sanctioned in 1978 by the International Sports Organization. In 1980 it was introduced into the Paralympics. Some modificaitons include a lower net, being able to block a serve and reach under the net without penalty and a small court. The players are also 6 vs. 6. I thought it was really neat how the game has been slightly modified so that all types athletes can play.

GM Cars-Technology

I read in the paper the other day that GM wants is working on a car that virtually drives itself. It's run by computers and GPS systems and knows where to turn, how to park, to avoid traffic in other directions and you don't even have to touch the wheel! Satelites will communicate with teh cars computer system. How crazy is that! I don't know how much I would trust that though. I would feel out of control. I'm not sure if it has an override system or not. I'll do some investigating.

Jul's Blog 1

Hi, my name is Julie. I'm a 27-year old post-bach student at Slippery Rock seeking a Health and Physical Education degree. I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in International Business and a Master of Science Degree in Sports Science from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). Track is a passion of mine. I was a member of the IUP Track & Field Team for 4 years and I am currently the Head Coach of the Beaver Area High School Varsity Track Team. I also run an indoor and summer track county league for ages 4-18. I am quite busy with three jobs and commute an hour each way to school. I go through 1.5 tanks of gas a week! I hope to be certified in 2010.