Lenkaland

Episode 20  Show Notes

Links:

Apple Magic Trackpad

A Cold Dark School with Zombies at the Gates, short story by Lenka for Kindle

A Cold Dark School with Zombies at the Gates, short story on Lulu (free)

Pandora Radio

New Free Computer Wallpaper, featuring sunflowers, Photography by Lenka, Password is disability

Welcome to Episode 20!  In the commentary, I say Episode 19 because I checked the archive page and the links to Episode 19 never made it into the archives.

Which is an appropiate window into life these days.  School is back in session.  I teach part time.  The beginning of the year is a flurry of preparation and energy as we establish community with our new students.  It’s fun and very busy.  So it makes sense that a few little details slip past me

We started the show talking about Apple.  I tried the Apple Magic Trackpad at an Apple store recently.  I was pleasantly surprised.  I expected it to be a like a laptop mouse-pad with the sensitive pressure tapping with drives me crazy.  But the trackpad had a click feature with a slight give and an actual click.  I could see it being a great feature for navigating around the computer, especially if gripping the mouse becomes an issue.  It is a little expensive, $69.  May be worth the investment.

We received an email from Paul with additional hints about iMac shortcuts: Because of my visual fluctuations I find by pressing the CONTROL key and moving my finger up on the magic mouse the screen gets bigger — and likewise the opposite.  I also like moving web pages with using 2 fingers left or right on top the magic mouse.  Also do you know when entering text and you see a checkered line under a misspelled word — pressing the CONTROL key and putting the curser over that misspelled word and pressing down on the magic mouse you will have words listed to correct the error?

Thank you, Paul! He also asked if we have contacted Apple about screening products or receiving help bringing you information.  And if we could have support making the show more interactive with call-in features.  I have contacted Apple a few times over the summer.  Still waiting to hear back . . . must be busy over there

We do enjoy the Live Shows.  They are simply tricky to organzine consistently with the kids being so little.  When the kids get older, it will be easier.  For now, we do the best we can

Giovanni joined me to talk about Pandora.com, a radio website that makes custom stations for you.  I discovered Pandora a couple of weeks ago and I love the ease of use and the creative music.  I discover all sorts of new artists.  Very cool.

Around 33 minutes, I talk about extraordinary kids returning to school.  I share my thoughts as an extraordinary teacher and former extraordinary student .

I am feel the pressure of all the newness these days.  The emotional journey of new routines and schedules tires all students.  So our extraordinary kids need a little (or a lot) of extra support and planning.

• Team:  We cannot always be on the same page as the school or teacher.  But hopefully we can be on the same team.  As a teacher, I respond best to families that approach me with an open mind and a sense of togetherness in this journey.  How can we work together to make this the best year for everyone?  Teacher, family, and student.  Bring the teacher on board with offers to discuss and support.
• Realistic Optimism:  We like to believe that summer will change everything.  Kids will mature.  The new class, new teacher, new peers will create a new space and the old problems will, poof! disappear.  Except they often do not disappear.  Approach the year with cautious optimism.  Hope for the best but plan for the stresses.  The many changes may even aggravate challenges that were fading in the spring.  Hold your student in confidence, but try not to be too disappointed if the stories begin again.
• Positive Teacher Association:  Make the teacher fancy, special, the beginning of good things.  If your student needs extra support, ask for good notes coming home before the challenges begin.  Emphasize the positive.  If the teacher becomes the disciplinarian that triggers bad-feelings, students will not want to risk around him or her.  They will avoid him or her.  Or confront him or her.  So before challenges begin (if they begin:)), establish positive relationships.  Work towards rewards between school and home, not in a punitive, take-away, didn’t-earn reward, but an attainable reward with a prize like going for an ice cream, or, even better, going to the library.  If you need extra-positive associations, give the teacher small prizes to give your student in moments of recognition (these can be done privately, at recess of after school so other students don’t notice/compare).  Stickers, matchbox cars, legos, little pet shops, any token prize that casts a winning light upon the teacher.  Sometimes, simply sharing a ‘hook’ with a teacher will build a bridge towards positive associations.  Knowing a student loves zebras, or cars, allows a teacher to ask about the favorite topic and have shared conversations about that favored topic.  In this way, positive moments build trust, understanding, and a foundation for a productive school year together.
• Written Information:  If possible, write accommodations, symptoms, and triggers for teachers.  They may not have time to talk to you before school or at pick up, but this way they can take the information and use it to best influence your student’s day in the classroom.
• Behavior and Attitude First:  Academics come later.  Students need to be calm and present in order to learn.  One of the big lessons from my workshops last year was to think of behavior as communication.  Look at the source, the trigger moment, rather than punish or reward the behavior into extinction.  Look at the broken behavior and learn a new way to express that moment.  So take the time to rest, to reflect, and build that foundation.  Allow for a few extra rewards to make this time a positive transition.  Once students have integrated into the routine and expectations, added challenges will not be as difficult.
• Listen:  Slow down and listen to your student.  Try not to solve their problems.  Instead, brainstorm solutions together.  Managing challenges will be a lifelong journey.  School is the place to practice communication, accommodations, and compensation strategies.  Listen for tiredness, fatigue, or stress.  Listen for effort that feels frustrated or futile.  Remember the beginning of the year is intense for many reasons.  We are the best support and inspiration for kids on this new adventure.  Believe in them.  At the same time, be sensitive to when they are maxing out their energy levels.  Tired, frustrated kids may act out with growing behaviors.  Sharing our stories allows us to express whatever challenges are making a day especially difficult.  Or wonderful.  The beginning of the year may be a wonderful time as well.
• Rest and Nutrition: Early bedtimes, nutritious snacks, avoid high sugar foods.  Take care of the basics
• Placement:  If school is constantly stressing your student into high-anxiety, you may want to consider placement.  I taught traditional school for many years before starting a homeschool program.  It was a revelation for me.  Six hours (or more) with random peers, being challenged mentally, emotionally, and physically, may not be the ideal model for your student.  In addition, you may live in a lucky area with free charter schools (like our area in Nevada County) that offer alternative settings for learning.  You may want to look outside the classroom for more flexibility in social interaction and instruction.
• And finally . . . Celebrate your student!  The beginning of the year is a great promise.  It is the story of childhood.  We help students see themselves, either as dependent and weak, or empowered and strong.  Self-perception lasts long after the spelling test is a dusty memory.  And childhood really does go that fast!  Students I taught as first graders are now applying to college.  Try not to stress.  Ultimately, kids need encouragement, validation, and inspiration.  We inspire them.  And they inspire us.

Education is a journey.  Enjoy the adventure.

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Episode 19  Show Notes

Welcome to Episode 19!  The iMac is here!  It’s been a fun week learning this pretty new machine.  I had Macs in high school and college, then had PCs for the past ten years.  My last experience with Macs was the candy-color computers in the late 1990s.  Those computer struggled with easy tasks and spoiled my towards Macs in general.

No longer.  This machine is slick, fast, powerful.  A thoroughbred computer.  This computer breezes through tasks that made my old PC whine and spin faster and faster.  It’s pretty fun.  I will have a good time with photo editing.

Some of our challenges here are the mixed platforms on our home network.  We found a parallel program that opens a virtual PC inside the Mac environment.  Giovanni says the new iMac is the fastest PC you’ll ever own. He’s right.  All of my old documents and photos are right where they should be.  I’m writing again.  Using Fireworks to make new covers for stories.

As for Accessibility Features, I do not need visual or preferences changes to use the computer.  Over the next couple of weeks, I plan to learn more and share it with you as a video.  I want to explore and find all the good stuff.  I know Apple is a leader in the field of Accessible Technology.

For myself, I love the Magic Mouse and the iMac keyboard.  The mouse is smooth and responsive.  The keyboard is ultra-modern and light-touch.  Perfect for me.  The old PC keyboard was starting to cause numbness through my hands after typing for a few minutes.  This new keyboard is like a cloud, or silk, or a whisper.  Very quiet and gentle.  Works well for me.

I discovered that Apple’s mail program and iCal (calendar) can sync with gmail though simple google searches.  The easy directions now have my life, literally, at my fingertips.  Very cool.  I look forward to taming the 5000 unread emails in my inbox (mostly catalog announcements).  According to my husband, I should declare email bankruptcy.

We did have trouble networking older (a couple of years old) equipment to the new machine.  The printer responded erratically.  The scanner didn’t like communicating either.  Luckily the price of new, wireless printer/scanner/copiers has really become affordable.  So rather than struggling, we updated.  Domino effect.

Exciting changes.  I did finish the epub conversion and posted The Goblin Queen to Lulu.  I chose Lulu because they are an iPad partner, working with the iBookstore.  Their submission process for that bookstore is a little muddled, so I’ll let you know how that works out.  Right now you give them the number of your project and 4-6 weeks later, you should see it in the iBookstore.  If you own an iPad.  Which I don’t.  So we’ll see.  It’s an adventure.  The story is not a disability story, but it has themes of belonging, healing, and self-awareness.  With pirates and goblins.  Hurrah.

This week I want to get the zombie story up for free downloads.  Check back here for the official release date.  I found a cool graphic for the cover.  You get to be the first to see it!

I like her.  I really do.  She’s from iStockphoto as well.

I also have played with my own photos as background, or wallpaper, images on my computer.  I’ve even been asked if the image is mine, or came with the computer.  I want to make the world more beautiful and fun.  So I’m giving the photos away for free.  Yes, free.  No spam, no email collecting, no bots or Trojan horses or zombies on your computer.  Real free stuff.  Here.  The gallery is password protected so the link-farms don’t pick up the opportunity.  The password is disability.  Because I want to build positive associations with the word disability.  Not about loss.  It’s about giving .  I didn’t even watermark them with my name or website.  By clicking on a photo, you can download it in a few different resolutions.  Share and enjoy.

Sample Wallpaper Photo: My Current Computer Background. Free!

The same goes for all of my ebooks.  I am not copy-protecting the electronic files.  You can copy to all of your devices.  Share with your family.  Friends too.  Just don’t make copies to sell on your front lawn .  I keep the stories affordable because I believe we like to support our artists.  Your support means everything to me.  Thank you!

Around minute 30, we go to Family Gatherings.

The family gathering.  Perhaps a family reunion, or a wedding, or a graduation.  Most of us will meet with family for fun, celebration, or grieving.  Families can be our biggest support.  And our biggest trigger.  The gatherings can be rewarding or exhausting.  Or both at once.

I have a huge family. We’re tight.  We get together as often as possible.  I love my family.  And still, over time, I need strategies for enjoying our time together.

Family knew us from the beginning.  They knew us as children.  If our challenges are caused by an accident, or worsening symptoms, they remember us before the changes.  They may measure us against our former selves.  We may bring sadness, or worries.  And to mitigate the effects of our challenges, we may take on more activities than we should.  We may work harder just so they won’t worry.

At the same time, we can build resentments if we feel people don’t believe our challenges.  We may have stories of insensitive moments.  We may feel overlooked.

And we have logistical challenges.  Travel arrangements.  Car rides, airplanes, hotels, scheduled days.  There may be traditional sports or hikes.  Early mornings and late evenings.  Kitchens to clean and kids to wrangle.  A lot more than our usual routines at home.

So how can we balance the realities of our ever-changing worlds with the many challenges of a family gathering?

By paying attention, being prepared, and heaping an extra helping of kindness on the day.

Advocate: Before the event, talk to a trusted family member.  A spouse, sister, cousin, brother, parent, someone you trust to look out for you.  Not take care of you necessarily.  They need their own fun, too, but someone who can add your concerns to a conversation, or remind you of your own plans like don’t stay up too late.  An advocate helps keep you honest.  I’m prone to agree to all sorts of plans and activities in the moment.  Hike to the lake, sure, sounds fun.  It’s not that far, is it? And afterwards I wonder why.  Talking to my husband or my cousin beforehand helps me stay focused on myself even in group dynamics.  Now, it is important that this person is a helper, not a handler.  They should not carry a battle flag and feel a need to defend your interests at any given moment.  Nor should you blame them if plans do not go your way.  Also, be realistic and respectful.  Why did you let me stay up so late? is not fair.  We are adults.  They are a support, not a knight.

Planning:  Travel arrangements need to be realistic.  I have come to a place where camping is a lot of work.  So we rent a hotel room near the campgrounds when we can.  I don’t expect everyone to stay in the hotel with me.  It’s part of that flexible living that we must become so good at creating.  Planning may also mean traveling for less time if that keeps you healthier.

Stick with routines:  As much as possible, stick with what works.  I made a disasterious error at our last family gathering.  My son has a sensitive tummy, but he’s been doing better so I thought he’d outgrown a lot of the sensitivities.  This great 100% juice was on sale so against my misgivings, I let him drink some.  He had miserable rash for the entire trip.  Neither of us slept.  He was in a good mood, but he was also miserable.  I felt awful.  And I kept kicking myself.  Why, why would I change what worked away from our usual routines and expectations?

We don’t always make rational, logical choices in the moment.  So whenever possible, stick with proven strategies.

Snacks and water:  Group decision-making can take awhile.  Or perhaps a restaurant is crowded.  Or the barbecue is taking a lot time to heat up.  Have some healthy snacks on hand, especially if you take medications.  That way you don’t have to worry when the choice between Chinese and Mexican inspires a fifteen minute discussion.

Schedule downtime afterwards:  Try to keep an empty schedule for a day or two after arriving home.  Even the best events take effort.  And recovering is just as important as preparing.

The closing thought is that our family is the thread connecting us to time.  Or a close circle of friends.  These are the people that we knew as children, who will know our children (should we have children).  I helpd little baby cousins when I was a teenager.  Those babies are taller than me now and attend college.  The unfolding of time together is a beautiful thing.  Our shared stories are everything. When we get past the logistics and baggage, we have time.   And that’s all we have.  And that time is fast and fleeting.  We need to make the most of the moments we are given.  So go.  Invest the energy and time.  Take the risks.  And be with people you love who also love you.

For future episodes, I want to talk about extraordinary kids returning to school and what we, as parents, teachers, community, can do to support them in a new classroom.

On a completely different topic, I have ideas about pain.  My own pain is fussy these days so it gets me thinking about how we handle, hold, cope with pain.  How it makes us and breaks us.

September will also be the first ever CMT awareness week.  I’ll bring news about that as well.

A lot going on.  And it’s close to my evening tech-curfew (so I won’t stay up too late).  Take care and best wishes for a healthy, fun week!

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My tech-guru husband says this unboxing thing is all the rage.  He talked me into opening up our iMac on camera to share the fun with his tech friends.  In case you’re curious . . .

He was busy with the camera so I got to do the heavy lifting, too .  It wasn’t that heavy, but I still thought it was funny.  For a moment I thought I’d never get the computer out of the box.  Thank goodness for a 7-year-old assistant!

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Episode 18 Show Notes, August 1, 2010

This week, I am revisiting a post that I wrote during our road trip.  It may be worth passing along to someone you know

Awhile ago, I thought, what if we abandoned the sad diagnosis?  What if a doctor didn’t arrive with a heavy sigh and bad news?  What if he said, congratulations?  Your life is brand new today.  And you are joining a community of creative, dynamic, powerful people.  You are truly special.  You get to put yourself first.  You get to make very conscious choices about your life and your future.  You will bring tolerance and compassion to your relationships.  You are stronger than you ever guessed.  And you will learn so much about yourself.  You will open doors that you cannot even see today.  But you will change the world.  Just as your world is changing forever.  Starting today.

What if?

That is my dream for our future, one that is alongside the mainstream story, equal in importance and contributions, with respect and potential.  Where we are enriched by our challenges instead of being diminished by them.  Where it’s okay not to be okay.  As part of this vision, I have simple advice from my years of hearing one tough diagnosis after another.

Grieve Let the feelings be real.  Yesterday’s world is over.  And saying good-bye is important.  Feel the depths of emotion, because going dead inside or numb will only postpone those feelings, not make them go away.

Write your own story Read the books, learn the facts, then know that your body has its own story to tell.  Just because statistics say one thing, it doesn’t mean that will be your thing.  Getting overwhelmed and fearful will not change the facts today.  You are not controlling your story, but you can decide how you write it.  Do you notice the darkness, or the dawn?

Connect and Support There are so many of us out here supporting you.  We have been on the other side of that difficult news.  We have grappled with pain, medication, uncertain futures.  Find people who understand your story online or in your community.  You do not have to speak up, but reading their stories may help you gain perspective on your own.  We are an incredible resource for each other.

You do not Need to Beat This I have heard how I can beat a lot of my challenges.  Oh, you’re stronger than other people.  You’ll figure out a way to overcome.  And the reality is everyone who has heard bad news decided to fight the odds.  No one chooses to have physical challenges.  And having challenges is not a reflection on inner strength or positive intentions.  You can be emotionally healthy, strong, and happy.  And you can still be sick.  And that’s okay.  You do not have to spend every day fighting to overcome your obstacles.  A tree that can bend in the wind will grow taller than one that stiffens and breaks.

Be Kind to Yourself Your body works so hard.  Even if it’s breaking down, it’s trying its best to survive and thrive.  Be kind.  Give rest.  Give good food.  Give kind thoughts.  Because as angry and disappointed as we may feel, our body is not trying to punish us.  It is not trying to upset us.  It is doing the best it can under the circumstances  The more we can be on the same team, the more our body can give us in turn.  Every day can be a battle.  Or a dance.  Try to listen.  Treat yourself well.

Love is Love is Love.  Yes, times will be tough.  Relationships with change.  There may be strain and challenges.  At the same time, love is deeper and stronger than any physical changes.  Love goes beyond how far we can hike, or how many chores we can finish in a day.  Love knows us as us, and holding onto that makes the challenges a lot more manageable.

This garden has thorns, yes, but flowers too.

For you, new to our community, I wish you strength, and patience, and beauty.  People may say time heals all things, but you and I know that’s not true.  Time will not heal us.  Time will change us.  I have known fear and pain and loss.  I have also known joy and fun and adventure.  We have the perspective, the knowing how fragile we really are day to day.  We do not take a moment for granted.  We know intuitively how quickly the world can change.  We appreciate small moments.  We understand the wonderful gifts that comes from spending quality time with people we love.  And in that way we are the lucky ones. Congratulations.  And welcome to our community!

Huge thanks to the good people at chronicbabe.com for inspiring this post.  Their excellent forums for connections and support are here.

At this point, Giovanni joined the show for our technology discussion.  We’re excited because we are getting a new iMac this week.  We found workshops through our local Apple store that helped me learn new tricks and tips for the iMac.  These workshops are free and awesome.  Click here for the scoop from Apple.  The computer arrives on Tuesday so we’ll have more to report next week!  Learn about the iMac here.

We strongly advocate bringing technology news to our community.  So much is happening with technology and information.  If we can catch the wave and make our voices loud and proud, then we can play a big role in the futures of these technologies.

I researched epublishing this week.  I’m currently figuring out the complexities of submitting work to the various e-bookstores.  I’ll let you know how progress goes.  There is a price war with the Kindle and Nook that benefits all readers.  The Kindle is releasing a new edition and their prices have dropped to as low as $139.  Kindle scoop here.  The cheaper version uses wifi so you can download through your home network.  The 3G model, which can download books almost anywhere, is here.  The Nook also dropped prices.  Their scoop is here.  My full review of the Nook is here.  Ereaders have not suffered from the iPad being released to the market.  In fact, the ereaders are thriving.  You can download apps from Barnes and Noble (Nook) and Kindle (Amazon) for any smartphone or iPad.  They want you to buy books more than sell the reading devices.  This is great for us readers.

Amazon makes it very easy for authors to post stories in the bookshop.  You simply upload a doc file and a cover image and you’re published!  It makes for a very dynamic online store.  You can read my own book, The Goblin Queen, and a short story from Nathan D. Hillard, The Barrow Wolf, by clicking on the links.  I’d love to support our writers with more links, so email me if you a writer with stories online.  Or in printed books, too.  If you would like a free story, here’s my zombie story to read online. 

The main differences between the ereaders are screen and interface.  The iPad has a lit screen while the other readers (Kindle, Nook, Sony Ereader) have electronic ink, which is not backlit and doesn’t cause eye strain.  This is a big reason that the dedicated ereaders are doing so well.  Die-hard readers are not having trouble switching to the ereading format.  The other big difference, which matters for accessibility, is the way pages are turned.  The iPad is touch-screen, so swiping a finger across the screen turns a page (great for challenges).  The other readers have a button to press.  They are all powerful machines that can store thousands of books.  The iPad can do other things (like watch movies) as well.  And it’s priced higher because of that.  Find the scoop on iPads here.

We see a real shift in how people respond to technology these days.   The Apple store was buzzing with energy.  An entire world is growing and changing around us.  As a community, we have a real chance to use this tech, and the communities it creates online, through gaming, through stories, to enrich and inspire our journey.  Then, in turn, we can educate and change perspectives of ourselves in society.  The fun is just beginning!

All of the diversity in publishing is only going to help our stories be told.  It’s quite an adventure!  Have a wonderful week!

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