June 10, 2008
The Mic is On: We’re Talking about What We’d Like to Learn
ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 7:00 pm
It’s Like Open Mic Only Different
Here’s how it works.
It’s like any rambling conversation. Don’t try to read it all. Jump in whenever you get here. Just go to the end and start talking. EVERYONE is WELCOME.
The rules are simple — be nice.
There are always first timers and new things to talk about. It’s sort of half “Cheers” part “Friends” and part video game. You don’t know how much fun it is until you try it.
Everybody Wants to Learn Something!
It’s true. No one can do everything that they would like to. We can’t dream up and build every idea we conceive without learning a thing or two. What would you like to learn
- to do,
- to make,
- to try,
- to craft,
- to understand,
- or to be better at.
Image: sxc.hu
And, whatever else comes up, including THE EVER POPULAR, Basil the code-writing donkey . . . and flamenco dancing (because we always get off topic, anyway.)
Oh, and bring links to thinks you can teach or want to learn.
–ME “Liz” Strauss
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207 Comments to “The Mic is On: We’re Talking about What We’d Like to Learn”


Joe said
Am I first once again?
Joe said
Hey Liz,
What is the subject again, I was so excited being first. Just like the old days!.
ME Liz Strauss said
Heya! Joe!
What do you want to learn in your old age? I’m thinking I want to learn how to do a webinar.
Joe said
I was thinking about learning how to write interesting things (stories).
ME Liz Strauss said
Joe,
I’d bet you’d be good at that.
First you need a problem that’s compelling.
Joe said
Fixing things I can do, making it interesting is something totally different.
Joe said
Oh, never mind. I get it, you are talking about a story line.
Brooke said
Hellllooooooo Liz and Joe!
ME Liz Strauss said
Well, Joe,
Thinking of something broken that would be a problem to fix, then put some interesting characters around that.
Charlene said
I’d like to learn about spell check, grammar check when writing online…
Joe said
Hey You!
Brooke said
Charlene – I am always spelling things wrong…but not something I want to learn.
ME Liz Strauss said
Hi Char,
I’ve never found a grammar check that was worth the worry. But IE has a nice spell check in its tool bar I use it now. Look what it’s done for me!!
Charlene said
Joe – I like to ponder things, like who invented ESPN and why, or why they don’t make those sneakers that light up with each step for adults who could actually use motivation to go walking.
Joe said
Man it’s HOT! Storm coming in, maybe the weather will break?
Charlene said
Ah Liz, I’ve never used IE and hope I never have to! But I’ll check Firefox and see what I can find for a toolbar add-on – good idea there.
Joe said
Charlene, Google toolbar has a decent spell check, works on IE & FF
Brooke said
I want to learn flash, why my acrobat isn’t working, to write, to take better pics…everything!
Charlene said
Thanks Joe!
ME Liz Strauss said
Yeah, Char,
Actuall, Joe’s right. It’s the Google toolbar. You should be able to find it.
Joe said
One step at a time, Brooke.
ME Liz Strauss said
Hi Brooke!
I wonder whether we know anyone who can help you! That Becky McCray is a camera genius!!
Charlene said
Joe – Found it, and installed it – ab fab! THANKS!
ME Liz Strauss said
Char,
I think you’ll really like it. I sure do.
Brooke said
Thanks Liz!~
Yes Joe – one step at a time.
I gotta raise youngins right now – so picture taking is on hold.
Charlene said
Brooke – too many former teachers (nuns) inside my head for me to type away without worrying about spelling and such
Char said
Hi all! I think I would like learn yoga.
Brooke – Flash is cool but I think it would be hard to learn. I have played with it enough to know that it would take too much of my time to be good at.
Joe said
Brooke, have you ever checked out Darren’s Photography School blog? That might be a good place to pick up some good pointers.
ME Liz Strauss said
Char,
Jonathan Fields is the yoga guru around here.
Becky McCray said
Somebody mention photography??
Joe said
[lightning starting, thunder right behind] aybe it will get cooler tonight!!!
Charlene said
Back in a jiffy – want to relocate to deck so we can all listen to birds singing in the background.
Joe said
[bad part is getting brown-outs may lose Inet!]
Brooke said
Thanks guys! Wow!! I appreciate it.
Char – I have been doing yoga for about 10 yrs now – love it!! Over at wasa my good friend Jenny Rough blogs about yoga and healthy eating – she is quite the expert on yoga!
What’s the link Joe?
ME Liz Strauss said
Hey there, Becky!
I heard your voice say that!!
Jamie Grove - How Not To Write said
I’d like to learn carpentry. You know, Norm and all that Yankee flannel… Well, maybe without the flannel so much.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Hey all, sorry I’m late. Just finished slunch. Liz, Darrell says hi and asks if you’re coming to BlogWorld.
What do I want to learn? So much. Seems like I’m learning every day.
Brooke said
Hey Becky – I said I wanted to learn how to take better pics – I don’t wannna be a pro and I don’t want a huge camera and tripod to lug around – but I would like to understand things more.
Brooke said
So Jonathan Fields is the yoga guru huh? Good to know!!
ME Liz Strauss said
Hi Jamie,
It would be great to make some furniture. The kind that no one came in and said “Oh you do carpentry.”
Charlene said
Char – perhaps a yoga retreat? Sri Lanka has a beautiful place called Ulpotha.
Brooke said
Okay – I gotta run and pick up food for the doggie. I’ll be back to hear more about photography and yoga!
ME Liz Strauss said
See you, Brooke,
Take pics of the doggie!
ME Liz Strauss said
Hey Charlene!
I’d love to go on a retreat in Sri Lanka with you. I bet you know just the way to do it right.
Char said
A yoga retreat sounds good. Actually, that with a diet of totally unprocessed, whole foods and a nutritional detox in general sounds wonderful.
The rest of my family likes photography – its not my thing.
ME Liz Strauss said
Char,
I’d love to take all of the pix I want and then have someone else sort through to find the first cut. I’d take it from there to choose which ones I want to crop.
Charlene said
Sri Lanka is a great destination, and that retreat site is ideal for focusing on yoga, and learning how to relax. Me, I’m not so good at yoga, but I loved the surroundings, and the excellent (healthy!) food they serve there. Best yogurt ever (from bull ox?).
ME Liz Strauss said
I like the best yogurt part . . . I’m not sure I like knowing where it comes from.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Yogurt from a bull ox? How does that work? Obviously, that’s something to learn!
DaveOlson said
Evening people… trying to learn how to be more PC!
Joe said
Joe does NOT want to learn about BullOx Yogurt!
Charlene said
Well, a bull ox has a baby, and produces milk. How you sit an ox down for milking, that’s not something I know much about. Perhaps I should have highlighted the fab curries instead
ME Liz Strauss said
What’s a bull ox doing having a baby?
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Hey Dave! Sounds like there is a story there.
Joe said
Am I missing something, a BULL is a BOY! They don’t produce milk (as such) if I’m not mistaken.
DaveOlson said
hmm… ahmmm… Charlene… I don’t think Bull’s are in the habit of having babies
Charlene said
bull ox comes in two flavors – but I guess a girl bull ox does sound kinda funny.
ME Liz Strauss said
Charlene,
I can hear you giggling all of the way from Madison. What’s the story?
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Methinks there’s some bull around here.
Charlene said
True, loads of giggling. But there are girl bull oxes! Hence the milk that becomes the tasty yogurt!
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
wouldn’t they be cow oxes, Char?
DaveOlson said
hey Charlene I guess we’ll believe you… trusting bunch we are
Charlene said
Bull ox bull and bull ox cow perhaps?
ME Liz Strauss said
Charlene,
You probably ought to tell them about your sister in SriLanka.
Joe said
Excuse this but Bullette Ox
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Is “bull ox” a breed, Char?
Marti said
good evening
Marti said
hope this finds all of you well
DaveOlson said
is Becky McCray around? Her tweet reminded me to stop in
Charlene said
That was my take-away from the tasty yogurt they served us, and there were some big beasts out working the fields near the home of the retreat.
Joe said
I usually close the blinds at night, but I just love watching the Lightning. It’s so coo the way it lights up everything!
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Hi Marti! Watch where you step, a milk-producing bull is lose.
ME Liz Strauss said
It sounds like a wonderful retreat. Was it a silent retreat?
Charlene said
Not silent away from yoga-ing. Great international group when we visited – some Brits, an Aussie or two. Loads of story telling late into the evening.
Marti said
Glenda, my life is one big mess of cow pies at the moment so nothin’ new – but thanks for the warning
Marti said
Joe I love watching a lightning storm too. We’re up on a hill so I can see them rolling in
ME Liz Strauss said
Hey Marti!
How is the hubby?
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Sometimes life is like that, Marti. Think of the mess as life’s fertilizer.
Marti said
Hi Liz. His recovery is coming along. They say he is doing better than expected for as severe as his stroke was. He is starting to be able to use a walker and has some shoulder movement. God bless you for asking. On top of his infirmities, grandma fell down out in the garden, so I have double trouble right now – LOL
ME Liz Strauss said
Glanda,
You’re the best for being inspiring in situations that pull us. The world needs more like you!
Marti said
How are all of you?
Marti said
I got to go outside and mow the grass today and I LOVED it! I find mowing very therapeutic – LOL! That fragrance of fresh cut grass is so divine, and there is an immediate result that you can see.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Liz, if shite can’t be avoided, might as well put it to use! Fertilizer!
Marti said
Thank you, Glenda – life’s fertilizer, yes…I should have an amazing garden of life – LOL
Joe said
98 degree’s teoday, No Mowing Grass for Me! I’ll wait until it’s below 85!
ME Liz Strauss said
Joe,
For you everything comes down to the numbers.
Charlene said
Husband is laffing too now – he says it was Water Buffalo yogurt…!
Joe said
Especially when it comes to degrees! (and to think I hated math as a kid)
Marti said
Joe, it was exactly 85 here, but with a nice breeze, and we have several large shade trees I could duck under. Honestly, it made me feel better than I have in weeks.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Ah yes, Char, Water Buffalo are much easier to milk than bull ox!
Marti said
Charlene “Water Buffalo yogurt” – that is funny
ME Liz Strauss said
Now I’m thinking I’d like to learn how to make a bullox and waterbuffalo yogurt smoothie.
ME Liz Strauss said
So who else came to find out how to learn something?
Marti said
Gotta be better than hospital food, Liz – LOL
ME Liz Strauss said
Oh Marti,
I think the answer there might be to bring your own.
Marti said
Liz, you are a wonderful teacher – I imagine you could teach all of us something
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Liz, I’m all for learning. What are you teaching?
ME Liz Strauss said
Marti,
Whatcha thinking of learning? I’d love to teach something now.
Marti said
LOL Liz! Hubs has been asking me to sneak him something in. I told him to get well enough to take me out to dinner
Marti said
I would like to learn how to prioritize better. I say yes to everything, and then don’t know what to do first or what to devote the most effort toward.
Brooke said
I go out for an hour and this is what you are discussing now? Bull Ox and Water Buggalo yogurt!?
You never know where these chats are gonna go!
ME Liz Strauss said
Ah priorities.
There’s a good one.
Start by looking at everything that has to be done — so you don’t trip over any alligators later on.
Trisha said
Hello everyone! I spaced out tonight – what did I miss?
Joe said
I’d like to learn how to change my attitude. Been a Snot since last December(Liz may remember that time).
I am not liking me too much right now.
sorry for getting so down, but my outlook needs some uplifting.
Marti said
The grass kind of prioritized itself by growing knee high – LOL Luckily there were no alligators hiding in the brush….
That is good advice – thank you!
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Marti, first priority – stop saying yes to everything.
ME Liz Strauss said
Then Marti,
Choose what you can get done and pass along. That way someone else can work on it while you work on the next thing.
Brooke said
Joe – you such a great person! Always willing to help and just talk! But I understand the need to change – I want to get less frustrated as quickly as I do…
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Joe, you a snot? Hard to imagine.
ME Liz Strauss said
Joe,
I don’t know what you tell you, except that when you’re through, you’ll be through.
Marti said
Joe, I think you are awesome, if that helps. No matter how bad things get, I always think of how much worse things could be. The old “Count your blessings” thing. You know, the “I don’t live in a war zone, my family isn’t watching their house float away down a river” (did anyone else see that on the news? wow!)
Trisha said
I want to learn everything. Well, nearly everything.
Brooke said
Me too Trisha!
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
How true, Becky. Others always have it worse off. Keeping perspective is important.
ME Liz Strauss said
Welcome back, Brooke and Trisha!
Marti said
Glenda, you are so right. I’m w-a-y too soft of a touch to anyone who asks for something.
ME Liz Strauss said
We should all learn how to say “NO!”
Joe said
Brooke, Glenda, Liz, Marti, Thanks, I needed that.
Trisha said
@Marti – can I have a million dollars?
How are you and your husband doing anyway?
ME Liz Strauss said
Tisha,
If Marti, gives you the million, can I have it?
Marti said
(She said with the new kitten that daughter asked for, perched on her knee – LOL)
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
sorry, Marti, I meant #114 for you.
And, yes, with you care-giving for two now, saying no and self-care/preservation are even more important .
Brooke said
You are welcome Joe. You know what I am blue about? Being old. I just can’t believe how fast time as gone and that college students see me as old….argh!
Trisha said
Liz – if she has a million to give me, she probably has a million to give you too!
Marti said
@Trisha – uh….(looks around nervously) LOL
Thanks for asking. Hubby is recovering from his stroke. He went 50 feet with his walker today. Still looking at weeks of physical rehabilitation though….
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Brooke, you are only as old as YOU feel.
Marti said
Brooke, you are too young to worry about being old!
Brooke said
I don’t feel old at all – it’s just my AGE has me down – it’s weird…
ME Liz Strauss said
Looks like I’m back to being the elderly blogger again!
Charlene said
Marti – hang in there. Learning how to walk again is tough, but do-able. And Joe – you gave me a great tip tonight – you are a fab new friend!
Marti said
Thanks Glenda. Good advice. I need to spend more time outside, I love being outdoors…..
Marti said
Brooke, have you started getting mail from AARP? THAT is when you feel old – LOL!
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Brooke, then forget your age! It’s only a number. Or, be thankful that you’ve made it this far when many don’t.
Marti said
Age is just a number, and numbers are Joe’s department – LOL
Besides, I’m older than all of you, so feel better *grin*
Timothy Johnson said
Greetings all from your favorite police target.
Marti said
(holds pinky finger out for Glenda) Jinx!
(I hope that isn’t just a local custom – to clasp pinky fingers and say “Jinx!” when two people say the same thing?)
Marti said
Hi Timothy!
Timothy Johnson said
Hiya Marti… I see the topic has digressed to age… given you’re online presence, you are the most youthful bunch I know!
Timothy Johnson said
AAARG! My editing is working in reverse… “your” not “you’re”
Marti said
Police target?
Joe said
55
Timothy Johnson said
I’ve been volunteering this month for police raid training.
http://carpefactum.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/06/putting-yoursel.html
Timothy Johnson said
Talk about a “learning experience” LOL
Marti said
Hey Joe, I am 55 too! (Well almost…birthday is next month)
Brooke said
You are all right. And I have not received any mail from AARP Marti. I just remember being the ‘young one’ in many of my groups of friends – I’m just not anymore. And you would think – ‘oh – but you are not a newbie and wiser!’ Yeah – I wish!
Well – I will take all of your thoughts to heart!
Marti said
This new kitten is fascinated by the keyboard. He keeps jumping on my fingers as I type – LOL
Joe said
Marti, does that mean we’re TWINS?
Brooke said
Well I am off to watch a little ’24′. See ya all later!!!
Timothy Johnson said
G’night Brooke…
Marti said
Brooke, go to bingo at your community center, you’ll feel as young as a kindergartener – LOL
Timothy, they didn’t paint a big red bullseye on you. did they? Or stuff pork chops in your shirt pockets to train the canine crew? LOL
ME Liz Strauss said
Good night, Brooke!
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Hey Mr T, you made it!
Charlene said
g-night to all the young-uns out there!
Marti said
Bye, Brooke!
OMG Joe – we might be!
ME Liz Strauss said
Joe and Marti, Twins!!
That’s a movie I don’t think I want to see!
Joe said
Happy B-day to you
Happy B-day to you
Happy B-day Dear Martiiiiiiiii
Happy B-day to youuuuuuuu!
next month we’ll do the Happy Birthday song for real!
ME Liz Strauss said
Hey there! Mr. Tim!
Were the bad guys bad to you tonight?
Marti said
bwa-ha-ha (wicked laughter)
Timothy Johnson said
No canines, Marti, and only a lot of paint marks where the simunitions bullets hit me (with subsequent welts and bruises underneath).
It is kind of fun getting to play the “bad guy” occasionally.
Marti said
Thanks, Joe!
Well, I am mighty tuckered and (this is really ironic) daughter is standing in front of me tapping her foot and pointing to the clock, wanting me to turn off the lights and go to bed. She helped me mow today, plus helping with caregiving, so she’s pretty worn out too.
So I will bid you all adieu, with the deepest appreciation for the lovely conversation.
May peace and joy bless all of your lives.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
[man, stock.xchng needs some empowering photos of people with disabilities. These suck!]
Marti said
Timothy, I knew you were a bad boy at heart – LOL
Hugs and love to all!
Timothy Johnson said
Have a good night Marti
Miss Glenda… up for a dance tonight? I got shot in both legs, so something a little slower, if you don’t mind.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
G’night Marti. Take care of yourself.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Sure, Mr T. HOPE it isn’t a permanent injury.
ME Liz Strauss said
Good Night, Marti!
ME Liz Strauss said
Tim,
It sounds like an old west town around here.
I’ll give the piano player a sassparilla.
Timothy Johnson said
Liz, let’s just say that paintballs aren’t that bad… when they’re in bullet form, they hurt a little more. At least the bruises go away in about a week.
But as I said in the blog post, it’s very well worth it. We have some of the sharpest law enforcement I’ve ever met, and it’s an honor to be able to help them out like this.
ME Liz Strauss said
Tim,
It has to be an unforgettable experience. You’ll be telling your grandkids about it. I bet.
Timothy Johnson said
Probably… I’m definitely enjoying myself, that’s for sure… I’ll volunteer as long as they’ll let me come and play in their sandbox.
ME Liz Strauss said
That piano player is ready.
You guys soing to dance?
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
[curtsies to Mr T]
Timothy Johnson said
Let’s cut a rug, Miss Glenda
ME Liz Strauss said
It’s so romantic to see a nice waltz in the evening.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
question for Blogger Extraordinaire: i’m writing another Accessibility 100 post and have found a few resources I’ve been using for material. Do I link to these Additional Resources for my readers or keep them to myself to not give away too much in a free blog post? Do you know what I mean? Where’s the balance?
Timothy Johnson said
If you could call what we’re doing a “nice waltz”
Joe said
I can’t think of someting to rhyme
that wouldn’t take up all my time
That could explain what I have learned
From each of you and not be spurned
For not saying all that should be said
And thank you all from my toes to my head.
Burma Shave
Nite Liz
Nite All
(Sorry, that’s pretty bad)
Timothy Johnson said
G’night Joe
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Mr T, our spirits are dancing a nice waltz. That is what counts.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
An A for effort, Joe. G’night.
Timothy Johnson said
LOL… very true Miss Glenda…
And now my spirit needs to bow deeply in gratitude to your spirit and exit gracefully from the dance floor (and not so gracefully tend to my newest “wounds”).
ME Liz Strauss said
Good night Joe,
Sleepy Swell
ME Liz Strauss said
Wasn’t the best one.
ME Liz Strauss said
Glenda,
What sort of resources did you find?
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
G’night Mr T, heal well, my friend.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
really good ones!
Timothy Johnson said
G’night Glenda, Liz, all
Until next week, my friends!
ME Liz Strauss said
Glenda,
Of what nature? Books?
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
An ADA course on serving people with disabilities. Might be handy later for the course with eMom.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
online resources
ME Liz Strauss said
Chances are you could put a few out there and you could still use them again. It’s all in how you organize and present them that’s the value.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
I am thinking of Additional Resources like I did for http://www.doitmyselfblog.com/2008/5-ways-to-increase-the-accessibility-of-blogs/
Becky McCray said
I’m back. Sorry I had to run off, there. What’d I miss? (Thanks for calling me a genius, Liz.)
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
I’m thinking as Additional resources like in http://www.doitmyselfblog.com/2008/5-ways-to-increase-the-accessibility-of-blogs/
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Hi Becky.
Becky McCray said
Hi, Glenda! Are you working up a course with eMom?
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
She mentioned the possibility of one with Karen. Don’t know much more.
ME Liz Strauss said
Those ideas sound right on the money, Glenda! I don’t think if the resources are out there already you jeopardize much. You have to decide to make use of them in a way that has value anyway when you make the course.
Becky McCray said
Glenda, you and I should start work on a couple of small business accessibility articles. I just don’t know where to begin.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Thanks Liz.
ME Liz Strauss said
You guys, I think I need to pack it in tonight. See you in the morning!
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Definitely Becky. I’m working on an Accessibility 100 post now – How Small Businesses Can Welcome Customers with Disabilities .
Becky McCray said
Good night, Liz! I didn’t figure you’d be still here this long!
Becky McCray said
Glenda, I’ll email you so we can talk about how we can work together on it.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Thanks for the space to hang out weekly with friends, Liz. G’night.
Becky, shall we move to this conversation to email?
Marti said
Thank you all for the delightful conversation and kind thoughts. I hope everyone has a wonderful day!