Word Clouds

This is going to be a rather short post but I just had to share my word cloud! I've seen it done and I wondered how it was done. I'll probably play with it a little bit more in the future. I used Wordle and was able to save the cloud as a pdf to iphoto. I hope you like it!

Then I found this cool site, Tagxedo... what fun!!

Web Conferencing Possibilities

The other day at work someone was talking about "skyping." I had a momentary personal giggle moment because using Skype has now become a verb. But, aside from my personal giggle moment, they were complaining about the connection on Skype. How the mouth would be moving but nothing was coming out. Similar to a 1960's Godzilla movie.

I explained that while Elluminate Live! did not provide the best picture, it did allow for a more synchronous experience and they could have three people use it for free. Particularly helpful with a family where you have children scattered to the winds. Although that is certainly not the optimum way to use the software, it is an option.

I could see using the software on a grander scale than just three people for free. Within my union, there is a hierarchy to follow: International (or Grand Lodge), District Lodge, Local Lodge and finally worksite. I could see a way to bring our union closer together by using this software.

For example, my contract becomes amendable on October 31st of 2012. Unfortunately, not all the stewards are able to make it to a strategic planning session or once the contract is ratified the inability to get to the contract explanation meeting. Having an Elluminate session would enable everyone to be on the same page (literally). The negotiators would be able to moderate the session, show a power point and even take a poll on whether something is "important." Most Local Lodge offices have internet access and having a camera is not a requirement. It would be nice, but certainly not required. They would be able to record the session and make it available for anyone not able to make the time slot set.

For an educational setting, I could see it used for online classes and even a way to bring other locations within the union together. The possibilities are endless. I'm looking forward to presenting some ideas to my District and moving the movement forward!!

Why Blogger?

When I was deciding which software to use, I thought I would view what I could. Imagine my surprise when I went to blogger.com and I was already logged in?! I looked at the date that I joined and tried to surmise what in the world I was doing in April of 2010. So far? I got nuttin.

But, I still went to a few sites but nothing really stood out to me outside of blogger. I liked the way blogger.com was affiliated with google and more specifically, with my gmail account. I love the fact that I can review my stats and see who has read my blog. Ok, maybe not really see who is viewing it - but the geek in me is fascinated by the fact that I've been read by people in US, Canada and Germany, that 46% of them own a Mac computer, and that PC users are not loyal to the Microsoft brand (only 21% use Internet Explorer). That may only interest me...

Overall, I've been having some fun with the blog. Today I added a background that more aptly fits my desert home. I don't think it really fits my blog... more searching is in the works for a background that works for me. Thanks for reading! Y'all have a great day. :-)

DC Memorials and Thoughts on Technology

Last week I was in Washington, DC for my union's annual Legislative Conference. On Monday afternoon we had some time to spare, and so with a few of my friends we went to see some memorials. There is something awe inspiring in seeing the Washington Monument reflected in the reflecting pool from the Lincoln Memorial. Oh wait, it was being worked on.

Has anyone paid much attention to the marble at the top of the steps to the Lincoln Memorial? It's a reminder that Martin Luther King, Jr. stood there and delivered his I Have a Dream speech. And as a trade unionist, it is worthy to recognize that he made that not only for civil rights but for jobs.

We went to The Wall as well. My uncle, Ronald W. Montgomery is on that wall. My father came home but my uncle did not. Every year I visit and every year I am overcome with emotion.

We also went to the FDR Memorial. My first visit was in the summer of 2009. In all my trips to DC I had never visited. THAT was a mistake. The quotes along the walls should be read by everyone. Particularly incoming Freshman members of Congress as well as any Trade Unionist. People just don't talk like that anymore - and we should.

We must scrupulously guard the civil rights and civil liberties of all citizens, whatever their background. We must remember that any oppression, any injustice, any hatred is a wedge designed to attack our civilization.

 They who select to establish systems of government based on the regimentation of all human beings by a handful of individual rulers call this a new order. This is not new and it is not order.

We have faith that future generations will know that here, in the middle of the twentieth century, there came a time when men of good will found a way to unite, and produce, and fight to destroy the forces of ignorance and intolerance, and slavery, and war.


I just wanted to share some of the beauty I was able to experience. While it technically doesn't have a thing to do with Instructional Technology... I was taking those pictures with my phone and uploading them immediately to my Facebook page. I wanted my FB friends to experience it right along with me. It's only been in the last couple of years that I was able to do that. It's amazing how far technology has brought us. The world is infinitely smaller as a result of our increased technology. 

First blog, first post

Welcome to my first blog. Naming it was one of the most difficult things I could imagine. I finally turned to social networking and asked for help amongst my friends. Thankfully, I have friends that are limited on their social life as much as I am. I had a couple of ideas but my first two choices were denied because someone else was already creative. Friends to the rescue! After I'd already selected the one you see above, someone suggested Melissa's Manifesto. Hmmm, interesting - but no. Sounds a bit too, well - stuck up?

I'm hoping to use this blog to focus on different issues within the airline industry, with a distinct Union perspective. I'm an educator at my Local Lodge and would love to create a "go to" place for information within my Union. While I don't claim to know it all, I do have a desire to learn more and want to share that information with others. Some items will be of a political nature (because every aspect of our day involves politics in some way). Feel free to comment and share with other likeminded folks - even some folks that do not think as I do. I welcome all discussions. Any rude or flaming posts will be deleted. If you have an opposing viewpoint, that's fine - it's still a free country, don't just spew rhetoric.

Finally, I want it to be made perfectly clear that while I work for an airline and I'm active within my Union, please know that the views, opinions, and postings are my own (or attributed to someone else) and they do not necessarily represent any company or organization. I hope you'll come back often. 

One of my favorite Union songs is "Union Maid," by Woody Guthrie. Enjoy. 

Union MaidWords and Music by Woody Guthrie There once was a union maid, she never was afraid Of goons and ginks and company finks and the deputy sheriffs who made the raid. She went to the union hall when a meeting it was called, And when the Legion boys come 'round She always stood her ground. Oh, you can't scare me, I'm sticking to the union, I'm sticking to the union, I'm sticking to the union. Oh, you can't scare me, I'm sticking to the union, I'm sticking to the union 'til the day I die. This union maid was wise to the tricks of company spies, She couldn't be fooled by a company stool, she'd always organize the guys. She always got her way when she struck for better pay. She'd show her card to the National Guard And this is what she'd say You gals who want to be free, just take a tip from me; Get you a man who's a union man and join the ladies' auxiliary. Married life ain't hard when you got a union card, A union man has a happy life when he's got a union wife. Full disclosure: This is for an Instructional Technology class I'm taking online through the National Labor  College. My goal is that the blog will continue beyond the summer semester.