Coyleville

On a designated Saturday morning every Spring - weather permitting - hundreds of Savannah College of Art and Design students and alumni combine chalk + a section of sidewalk in Forsyth Park + their talent to create a wide range of images. Here’s some of their work at the 2007 Sidewalk Arts Festival:

Fond memories of a very good trip. Presentation made with Soundslides.

Update November 1, 2008: It’s been a long road, but the campaign’s almost over. I voted a couple of days ago and am wondering how long it’s going to take to count all of Ohio’s early and absentee ballots.

I’ve been getting around to trying more web and presentation tools, looking especially for online environments I can use with my students this Fall. My current favorite is Tumblr. It’s been around for a while, but I hadn’t taken it for a spin after signing up for an account I don’t know how many months ago. I’m liking the look and variety. Take a look at my site franciscom.tumblr.com - and let me know what you think.

Jim

I’m thinking of using a “social network” I created on Ning.com for some of my media classes this Fall. You’re welcome to check it out at ymedia.ning.com and see how it looks so far. And by all means feel free to participate.

Jim

A few years ago I went to a video equipment demonstration at a place called the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild in nearby Pittsburgh, PA. It was a neat place, but I didn’t learn very much about it. Well, I just finished watching and listening to another talk on the TED website by Bill Strickland, the man who created the place. It’s a hopeful story that got me thinking about some people I know and care about.

Half a century ago we used to vacation in Traverse City, Michigan. I was just a few years old the first year we went to Indian Trail Lodge and Cabins, and we returned every summer until the middle of my teenage years. Grand Traverse Bay was - and still is - beautiful!

Late last night (early this morning, actually) I got back from a 4-day video shoot in Traverse City, based at the Cherry Tree Condo Hotel - located right next to the spot where Indian Trail Lodge and Cabins once stood. The crew was great - professionally talented and genuinely fun people.

The weather was perfect. It was a great time!

Jim

I’ve been watching a few talks from TED (the annual Technology, Entertainment, Design conference) and stumbled upon this entertaining video. It’s unlike most of the talks which feature amazing insights and ideas. This is just for fun:

Last night I returned from Washington, DC, where about 10 students and I had spent three days recording video about Pope Benedict XVI’s first visit as Pope to the United States. Preparing for the trip was hectic and the time there was busy and above all Blessed. Although we didn’t attend any of Pope Benedict’s official sessions, we were up front at the Catholic University campus when he came to the Basilica Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and most of the group was there again the next day when he came to speak with Catholic university leaders. Pope Benedict appeared friendly and at ease in front of the several thousand people greeting him and cheering. It was as real honor to be there. Some of the students blogged about the trip when they had time, and I added a couple of entries at Catholic Media Journal. For the students and me comes the last week and a half of classes then final exams - and editing the video footage into programs.

It’s the first time I’ve ever sung “Happy Birthday” to a Pope.

Jim

Robert Scoble brought “videoblogging” to a new level while working for Microsoft, letting us “meet” many programmers and other Microsoft employees, showing the Real People side of the corporation. After Microsoft, Robert brought his Scobleizer TV to other ventures, and is a key part of a new online video service called Fast Company TV. About one of the first programs, Robert wrote:

This is the most innovative thing I’ve seen Microsoft do in years. It had a huge emotional impact on me, as I realized the way my son will see the Universe will forever change, thanks to the work of two guys in Microsoft Research…

Take a look: