2008 Commencement @ Lesley University

Mary's (M.Ed.) Graduate School Commencement from Lesley University, Cambridge Mass.

Lesley University Graduation Precommencement 08

MARY IN BOSTON AT LESLEY UNIVERSITY


Stay tuned for commencement pics!

Mary is Officially done with Grad School

Yesterday, May 4, 2008 marked the end of a long 2 year journey for me. Life continues on as usual, yet there's a huge sense of relief for me...a freeing up of mental, emotional, and phychological space in my head. I can't wait to sit numbly in front of the TV once in a while and NOT be thinking about "all the work I should be doing!

I'm so looking forward to being 100% present with Brian & the boys as we experience life...you know...all that stuff that happens between events...life. I'm planning to stop "the machine" and sit on the couch reading whatever books I want to, for as long as I want to!

Because of the kind gifts of family and friends, I am able to attend my Commencement Ceremony on May 18th. Stay tuned for pictures! My sister, Linda and her family will be joining me. So cool. Can't wait!

An explanation of Twitter

This is a brief explanation of what twitter is and how to use it.

http://jrf.podomatic.com/entry/2008-05-04T10_55_06-07_00

Here's a video produced on Commoncraft website explaning Twitter: http://www.commoncraft.com/Twitter

Pocket PC vs. Palm Handhelds

Having experienced first the Palm, and then the Pocket PC, I have to say I strongly preferred the Pocket PC. It may have been that the Pocket PC contained software I'm familiar with (I don't like MS software...but am nonetheless familiar..) yet, the interface was refreshingly more intuitive than the Palm interface. It was as if Palm hadn't done much to move into the "user friendly" context that has been created in our Capitalist marketplace in the past 10 years. When my husband purchased his first Palm Pilot back in 1996, it was all the rage. And he learned the grafitti language and utilized it extensively. So much in fact that we only recently entered the Mobile age and bought a single cell phone! He still uses his old Palm for business mainly to keep his schedule and contacts. We are currently considering the move to a Smart Phone that will do EVERYTHING! I don't even think a Palm or any of their products are being considered. Aren't they a sinking ship anyway? What have they done lately?????

The Pocket PC running a version of Windows mobile was so easy to navigate. The writing was easy and intuitive, some special symbols but not nearly the "do it our old way" feeling like I got from using the Palm. Transitions were easy to navigate, getting around felt very much like I was just working on a smaller version of my PC. Which I liked, and so did the partners I was working with. We all found it easy (and preferable) to find and set preferences, to organize, and to set the calendar and appointments. One added feature that we noted was the protective cover or flap, opened up vertically over the top of the device on the Pocket PC, whereas on the Palm it opened like a book, to the left. It was annoying since it kept getting in the way..flopping around, and cumbursome.

So, overall, our experience led us to prefer the Pocket PC handheld over the Palm. Part of me feels sorry for the Palm. They were so cool at one time, but have lost their cool factor.... you HAVE to innovate, and keep innovating to survive! Hello MOTO!

A "Concept" boat...i mean..Warship?!

Popular Science Magazine, March 2008 Issue Article titled, “Warships of Tomorrow” by Christian DeBenedetti

UXV COMBATANT

I chose to reflect on this article because my 5yr. old son is very interested in (almost obsessed with) military aircraft old and new. Therefore, we watch documentary videos about warplanes, warships, and experimental aircraft. I grew up in the home of a retired Marine who was an active member of the Navy League, and therefore spent my summers in Seattle touring every military ship that docked in our harbor. On more than one occasion traveled as a VIP on Aircraft Carriers (The USS Pellilu, for example) that entered Elliot Bay at Port Angeles and docked at the Seattle waterfront.

This article is about a concept military warship called the UXV Combatant with a proposed launch date of 2020 (at the earliest). Its basic design is borrowed from the BAE’s Type 45 Daring-class destroyer.

Here are the highlights:
 Purpose is as a stealthy base at sea for unmanned planes, tanks, and subs
 Speed: 31 knots
 Est dimensions: 500 ft long; 70 ft. wide
 Capacity: 60+ crew, and a minimum of 24 combat drones
 Cost: Not yet announced
 Status: VERY much still a concept
 Manufacturer: British Co, BAE systems


The key feature of this ship is VERSATILITY. Since it’s not set to arrive until sometime after 2020, it’s future utilization is only imagined. Working with General Dynamics, BAE has developed a concept they call, “modular mission bays”. This is a set of plug and play features that would enable commanders to quickly “re-role” the boat. The UXV could change from submarine hunter to mine sweeper to a platform for supplying ground troops to a launching pad for drone-based air strikes.

The other key feature of this ship is that it’s nearly UNMANNED. Traditional aircraft carriers and destroyers have to hold thousands of crew and support personnel. It will not be totally unmanned, but it will require a mere fraction the manpower of a traditional vessel. It can run effectively with a minimal crew. (Hopefully) wars of the future will be fought mainly by robots, and unmanned drones in the air remotely controlled by humans that fly from a minimally staffed mobile base will mean fewer lives lost in any battle scenario.

Hail Storm in Seattle!

Here's Brian and Alexander outside during a serious thunderstorm/hail storm during dinner time! CRAZZZZY.