The Brian & Mary Flett Family Blog

2008 Commencement @ Lesley University

2008-05-18T17:14:00.000-07:00

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

Lesley University Graduation Precommencement 08

2008-05-17T18:12:00.000-07:00

MARY IN BOSTON AT LESLEY UNIVERSITY

Stay tuned for commencement pics!

Mary is Officially done with Grad School

2008-05-05T23:44:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-04T11:21:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-03T21:03:00.000-07:00

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?!

2008-04-06T21:07:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-04-01T12:35:00.000-07:00

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

the Pumpkin Patch 2007

2007-11-16T23:26:00.000-08:00

The boys are growing so fast!

Ramblings...etc.

2007-11-13T22:06:00.000-08:00

Wow! Can you believe it's almost Thanksgiving??! Next thing you know...it's going to be Christmas!!! GGGheezzz...... so here's a distraction. The current, the present, you know that old school thing called "the here and now": Jeremiah is starting to read! Alexander is beginning letter identification; J can count to 100, just ask him! A is working on counting...in order! They are so sweet! So sweet, in fact that i was completely thrown for a loop to discover that I had school THIS weekend instead of next weekend! Brutal. Hey, it's all about being flexible and adaptable, isn't it! Just sign me up!!!!!

oh, and btw, new show we love to watch: Cane on CBS, (Cubano Sopranos). Check it out.

TTFN

you gotta love today's Service Industry!

2007-11-03T00:09:00.000-07:00

So, i have the great priviledge of being on the receiving end of some of the greatest useful information links via Lesley University Professors! Here's one of the latest!
If you currently do not understand, use, or care about Web 2.0 applications, then this site will make you a believer in 3.5 mins or less!
I love google docs (As most of you know, I love all things google!..i'm an info mavin, so OF COURSE I DO!). So, I watched their explanation of google docs and in less than 5 mins, they make it so easy to understand, that even teachers who are "digital imigrants" can use it!
http://www.commoncraft.com/

Another pumpkin patch picture

2007-10-29T22:51:00.001-07:00

Family Picture

2007-10-27T12:46:00.000-07:00

The annual Pumpkin Patch visit

2007-10-27T11:37:00.000-07:00

So we took a day off mid-week to go to Carpinito Bros. Farm in Kent! As luck would have it, we got one of the most beautiful days ever! Sunny and hardly anyone else there!!!!!!!! And out of 300 shots, we got a few good ones...even one of us all!

We bought a 43# gourd that Jeremiah and Brian will carve at Preschool Monday night with all the other dads! Alexander gets to help scoop out all the goop! We'll roast the seeds, salt em, and eat em! Should be fun!

Enjoy our pics! oh...and today's my bday. It's been great. One of the best! :-)

Jeremiah's First "modeling" experience

2007-10-24T00:03:00.000-07:00

Jeremiah at school

2007-10-21T22:14:00.000-07:00

Jeremiah is in Ms. Valass's class this year. We love our Co-op families! It's so much fun this year to see the strong sense of community between all the kids and parents.

The kids have a genuine kindness toward one another, and the sibs love being with each other across the hall, too. Come January, I'll be signing Alexander up to be in Teacher Kathy's 3's class next year. All told, we are totally sold on the Co-op Preschool model.

Jeremiah was the first student this year to be V.I.P. He was/is so proud of his poster! He chose & cut out all the pictures himself; he put glitter on his name; he dictated the captions/descriptions of all the pictures; he put glue on pics; chose the background color; and glued on all the embellishments! WHEW! We are all so proud of him. Standing in front of the class was a bit overwhelming, and so it wasn't long before he huddled into my shoulder waiting for the "torture" of everyone looking at him, to be over.

Halloween is around the corner...watch out for a couple of characters: Spiderman and his sidekick, Alligator!...coming to a neighborhood near you. 8-).

wow! THAT was easy....

2007-10-17T23:32:00.000-07:00

j If i'd only known how easy it was to set up one of these great things...i'd 've dun it sooner!

n I tend not to be very brief...so consider yourself warned.

The fall came suddenly, and summer ended too soon. (Common laments, i'm sure) Summer was full of typical summer fun. Alexander had his 2nd bday. Jeremiah is learning to swim. Maybe we can get to a pool this fall/winter a few times so he can practice. Brian continues his work with housing AIDS clients @ Lifelong Aids Alliance. Year two is in full swing for Mary's Grad School program. In May '08, I'll graduate with a Master's Degree...just in time to avoid lapsing my Teaching Certificate.

Bellevue Overlake Coop is looking for a (grant) funder to provide funding toward renewing the woodchips on our playground to safe and adequate levels. If you know of a potential funder, please let me know. I'm writing the grant proposal now. We're hoping to get the project done as soon as possible.

Currently mystified,

-Mary (for us)