Day 2; Initial Insights to Blogging; Has my perception changed?

I have survived the creation of a primitive blog with the help of templates and such. I do not think, however, that I will survive the exploration of blogs. It almost feels like I've opened Pandora's Box. Each author has a style, and purpose to their blog. Whether it be to share everything about them, or to search for recipes, investigate a topic, to provide historical facts and information, for political gain, advertising, lobbying and the list goes on. Navigating from one blog to the next has been easier than I anticipated. By using the "Blogs I follow" from a blog you are on currently, you can just keep going and going. One thing is certain...... I am definitely a novice in the design portion. There are some incredible use of graphics, photography, color and such. And while those aesthetics are impressive, the intent, the words, and their message are what intrigues me.

I found it fascinating that there are some people so willing to put themselves out there. I mean, every little detail and tons and tons of personal pictures. While I realize this can be a handy way to share with family and friends afar, it felt a little eerie to me that any stranger could have access to so much information about my life. But then..... it started to remind me of the fascination with the multitude of reality series these days. Its like people are compelled to tell their life story to anyone who will "listen." I suppose this could be cathartic, and much cheaper than psychotherapy! But do I really want to know this much about other people?

Then I stumbled upon different types of blogs. I was intrigued by a title; Capital Taps that lured me in with "Beer Talk." I do appreciate my beer, and heaven knows that the great Pacific Northwest is a great place to dabble in tasting all of the wonderful different microbrews out there. But it turned out to be a rather dull history lesson (in my opinion).

I found a connection with someone who blogged about the TV series Mad Men. If you haven't seen this show, you are missing the boat! I think part of my attraction to this series is its' integrity about keeping it a true period piece. The show centers around the goings on of an advertising agency when ad agencies were the up and coming thing (early 60's). When I think of how things have changed in advertising since their early beginnings, it is mind blowing. Oh, how I digress......

Then I realized, you know, I have sought out blogs prior to this. But these were sports blogs where you could follow a live blog of a game. As an avid sports fan I found these types of blogs helpful as I can not be in two places at one time and I just had to know how the game was going.

While doing some orientation/training work for my job I stumbled upon a blog that briefly talked about the barriers to online learning. According to this author there are currently 20 million students involved in some type of online learning.There is even a council on the topic; North American Council on Online Learning (NACOLI). Mind blowing!

So here I am, spending way too much time reading all of these blogs, but I can't stop. I can see how this could be addicting. Oh..... just one more, please. If I really got carried away, I would reply to most of them as they entice me in with their banter and clever pose.

In summary I will comment on change, in keeping with my theme. So, has my perception of blogs or blogging changed? Sure it has. When one gathers more information and has a personal experience with something it is inevitbale. I find it more appealing than I thought I would but I am not totally sold on it. There are many layers yet to discover and I have some stock in the value of face to face communication.

I was thinking about change today in these terms: If I change my name, does that change who I am? If I change my hair color, does that change who I am. If I change my address, does that change who I am? If I change my sex, does that change who I am? If I change my religious beliefs, does that change who I am? Tricky questions, huh?

I am forging into this Blogging experience as a class assignment. I have decided to title my Blog: "Be an Agent of Change." This title suits what I believe this entire experience will be for me. Not only must I embrace the challenges of change (for me becoming more adept with technology), but I must be an agent for Change. Change is inevitable.

While not all changes will be accepted by others, or even in the best interest of others, the bottom line is that change will occur. Time changes all things and we cannot stop time. How we react to change makes all the difference. We can become angry and unproductive, or energized and proactive. Our life experiences change how we view the world, how we interact with others and how we feel about ourselves. This change can be subtle, or drastic. We can deny that we have changed (plastic surgery can help with that one!) and we can procrastinate the inevitable changes that are happening around us. Each generation has contributed to change in fascinating ways.

I am not from the "Gen X" group. When I went to college the first time it was a "big thing" to have an electric typewriter! Oh my, how things have CHANGED! My career(s) have evolved as life changes predicted or inspired such change. I began my professional career as a child and family therapist, ran my own childcare business for a few years then went back to school to get my Masters in Teaching. After a few temporary teaching positions and a couple years of subbing (talk about the ability to embrace change, be a substitute teacher!) I am now a teacher for a charter school that is all about change and innovation as we attempt to do what is best for kids.

So who am I? I am a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sisterand a friend. I am originally from Hawaii, as is my husband. We have three sons and a lab puppy (she's a girl). We love sports, going to movies and playing board games. I am an avid scrapbooker, love photography, reading and hanging out at the beach! I wish I could travel more than we do.

Please join in with your views of "change" How has change affected your life (for better or worse) and what would you change, if anything, about your life? There are many different ways to analyze change. Share your favorite poem or song as it is related to change. What changes are you hoping to make for yourself this year? What changes would you like to see in our world this year? The possibilities are endless. Lastly, how will you be an agent of Change?

I will close with a few lines from the David Bowie song Changes; one of my favorites "back in the day.
" Strange fascination, fascinating me
Changes are taking the pace I'm going through"