The video is a remix by YouTube member damewse with the explanation “NASA is the most fascinating, adventurous, epic institution ever devised by human beings, and their media sucks.” The audio is the late, great Carl Sagan taken from one version of the audiobook version of Pale Blue Dot. See the YouTube page for full credits.
After hearing it discussed on CBC Radio yesterday, I spent some time looking at the Fraser Institute’s controversial “Report Card on British Columbia’s Elementary Schools 2010” primarily based on BC’s Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA) Testing.
As to be expected, it looked like the Victoria public schools that did the best in 2010, and consistently over the last 5 years are in the “best” neighborhoods.
I’m encouraged that it looked to be fairly equal English and French immersion schools, as we don’t intend to go French immersion. We have heard that if enrolling English consider a full English school.
It’s kind of sad, but expected that our severely underfunded education system would be most successful were supplemented by parents, and where parents put more value on school excellence, and have the energy to be more active in their children’s educations.
I was disappointed, but not surprised that the closest school to our house, Cloverdale Traditional School did not do well. Although, surrounded by some nice neighborhoods, there are also commercial areas close by and (relatively) less expensive homes. I was hopefully that the focus on tradition of the school would give it a significant boost. The reported 49.4% ESL surprised me.
I’m looking forward to reviewing the 2011 reports for elementary and secondary that will come out next month. Atlantic Institute for Market Studies (AIMS) will be doing a report for the Western Provinces for the first time this year, but only for secondary schools.
After having an unhealthy breakfast this morning I had a glass of orange juice. I just realized that ever since learning that the vitamin C in orange juice inhibits the conversion of nitrates to nitrosamines in your stomach, I’ve been viewing OJ as a super food.
OJ can’t save me from poor eating!
With our second child I’m re-experiencing the wonder I felt at how biologically gregarious we are.
Our baby girl E’s comfort and pleasures revolve around our presence, particularly that of our toddler brother.
The chest compressions move enough oxygen to the brain, because the oxygen is already in the body. Studies have shown CCC to be more effective than traditional CPR, possibly because it is much easier to remember and administer, and anyone can do it. Just start pumping.
Marshall Brain, “How Continuous Chest Compression saves lives“, The Seattle Times, Oct 5th, 2010
The video notes not to use this on children under eight, or the rare case of respiratory failure or drowning.
Ritualistic behavior like you are now witnessing, is your toddler’s way of maintaining control while asserting his new found independence in a safe and worry-free manner. When your little one is faced with some type of change in his routine, he feels vulnerable, anxious and frustrated, so having control of even the smallest areas of his life right now means more than you’ll ever know. Being denied the fulfillment experienced through rituals can do a number on your little one’s self-esteem, so remember that what you may see as monotonous, your toddler sees as peace-of-mind, and who’s to argue with a content toddler? Certainly not me.
Shelley Feldman, “Your 22-month-old toddler (week 93)“, edHelperBaby
The above makes sense, what we suspected, and seems to be the consistent explanation.
“My do it”, regularly insists my toddler son.
The examples of this that stands out to me all relate to eating:
Being part of my toddler’s world, witnessing what is instinctual and being part of his learning, gives me incredibly enjoyable and insights.
I feel that being a parent is already making me a better person. My son really is my greatest teacher.
This past weekend really felt like the beginning of summer here in Victoria. The weather was gorgeous all weekend!
The best part was Sunday night in the front yard playing with an inflated ball with family: toddler son, pregnant wife, and in-laws.
With the launch of Gravatar Profiles (mine!), I’ve updated my avatar to a photo Sheri took of me using Matt’s gear at WordCamp SF, May 1st.
I’ve been braced since the beginning of February, and will continue to be for the next two years.
I picked up a Kobo eReader today at my local Chapters (Canada’s mega-bookstore).
The Kobo has a lot going for it. Because the company behind it isn’t an Amazon.com, and so they can’t do it alone, it scores big points by using common technologies and supporting standard formats.
For the Kobo being a 1st edition, and for wearing a much more affordable price tag at $150, than the Amazon Kindle at $260, it can be forgiven for falling short of the Amazon Kindle in a lot of ways.
But the Kobo has only itself to blame for where it falls hardest.
Their (boring) slogan is “eReading: anytime. anyplace.”
It should be “eReading: anytime… eventually. anyplace… eventually.”
It takes over half a minute to power on.
That’s just too long.
Reading is a sacred ritual. Those that read are going to be frustrated, and those dead tree books will also be calling them with their sirens song.
Charlie Sorrel of Wired is correct, the Kobo is a killer, suicidal that is.
I do expect it to do decent in the Canadian market, but this first edition is no Kindle killer.
I’ll be returning it this week.
Note: Chapters Help Lies, Thankfully It Should Be Easy To Return
Contrary to Chapters online help stating “Kobo eReaders must be returned in its original unopened packaging.” I confirmed first online with Kobo customer support, and then in store, that I have 2 weeks to return it open with the original package.
“If the unit is not defective and you simply don’t want it you can return it to your local Chapters/Indigo store within 14 days of purchase as long as you have a receipt”