Droiding

Recently, Tracy and I entered the realm of the Motorola Droid. Newt, my step dad, also received a Droid, which was the highlight of my Christmas morning. I thought I'd blog about a few of our favorite features of the Droid.

The Droid allows you to set up your desktop in any way. For example, on my desktop, I have an icon for Tracy, a weather widget that alerts me for severe weather, and a task manager to help prolong the battery.

Tracy has an application (DROID MUNI) that alerts her about the next arrival for any Muni bus in the city.

"I lost my Droid!" Ever lost your phone but couldn't find it, because the phone was set to silent? This application allows you to text your Droid from another phone. The text message sets the Droid to loud and begins to ring. Genius!

Other ingenious apps include Shop Savvy, Ring Droid, Visual Voicemail, and Mobile Banking.

So, despite being labeled as "always plugged in," I am loving the Droid. My Amish sister should join the club.

What do teachers need?

As each of us pursue an occupation, a hobby, or our civic duty, how much of our capabilities do we owe to our education? Answering this question underscores the importance education and the transmitters of education.

Given the need for efficacious transmitters of education, how we do we create them? Obviously, I'm speaking about teaching. The skill sets that teachers need to motivate, structure, teach, mentor, and scaffold are myriad. I have multiple colleagues, friends, and family who have taught and found themselves needing more. In my own experience in academia, I come across information about human development and behavior, and I think to myself, "Wait, I'm just learning this... Do teachers not know this?" The voids in teacher prep programs seem to be coming into relief as I learn more. Yet it seems that more programs (e.g., Teach for America, Career Changers) are moving towards crash courses for teacher certification. I am confused and concerned. I wish I knew more.

For another perspective, I am including a recent story from NPR.
NPR Story: What should go into a teaching degree?
Because we all educate and have been educated, it seems that teacher preparedness is something we are all stakeholders in.

I do not have the answers, but I certainly think the professionalization of the task of teaching should be considered.

One more thing

I decided to ride my bike across the country. On May 14, 2010, J.R. and I leaving Dana Point, California. Via the Southern Tier Route, we will arrive in Jekyll Island, GA on June 16, 2010.

We have named this adventure CATOGA. For more details see our website.

On a recent ride (from left to right): Scott, JR, Oliver, and me

The Direction of Present Tense

Thus far, my blog has been very introspective and above all else, self-centered. As a result, I got bored sharing events that most people in my life have already heard. Further, the blog was unappealing to those who do not know me. Thus, I'm hoping to take this blog in a new direction.

So I am going to start a new orientation to my blog. I'm going to start posting relevant articles, publications, events that are related to my interests. Specifically, my interests include psychology, sociology, education, Athens GA, Berkeley CA, sports, and the outdoors. I'm also attracted to triumph, grit, perspective, and innovation (Who's not?). My good friend J.R. exemplifies this approach in his own blog (found at http://playthink.wordpress.com). So here's a thank you to J.R.

As a co-author of this blog, I'll leave Tracy's posts to her own creative license. That's all for now! Onward,

leo

One day

Here's a video I made last night. Tracy and I took the pictures over the last three years. The music is by Andrew Bird and the song is titled Anonanimal. Let me know what you think. Have a good weekend.

The Present Tense of Education

Recently, I have come across two provocative publications about the current state of education. It has sparked much debate in my own mind, and I'd like to share with my readers (small in number, yet high in devotion).

Study: Achievement Gap Narrows between White, Black Students

A CNN report that reveals recent numbers about the achievement gap. Here are two notable quotes that I believe are true. "Society can pay for it now, or they can pay for it later," Newell said. "And they can pay for it by looking at our prison system, by looking at a shortage of talent in our workforce. And so when they look at it, not preparing all of our children now will affect us all later." Later, Kevin Huffman stated, "Aside from the short-term scores-oriented effect of narrowing the achievement gap, the long-term effect is one of a moral and economic obligation."

Should Everyone Go to College

A balanced and thought-provoking commentary about the utility and accessibility of higher education.

That's all for now. Rereading this, I feel incredibly idealistic and youthful, but the issues should be on the table, even if only blogged by 22 year-olds.

Present Tense-- Contest!!

I'm getting a little bogged down in my research, and to make matters more stressful, I just got summoned for jury duty (Not complaining, I'm happy to do my civic duty- it's just bad timing). Trace is in the thick of her summer semester and grinding through long days of class. In short, we need a pick-me-up.

So, to rejuvenate ourselves (and to secretly see if Present Tense has more than a 4-member audience), we're holding the first ever PRESENT TENSE JOKE CONTEST.

Here's how it works: Over the next week or so, feel free to submit as many awkward moments, humorous anecdotes, or fictitious tales as you would like. Google jokes, ask friends, or think it up... Whatever it takes. We will even accept pictures or video clips. You can post your joke as a comment to this post or email it to me (leohwhite@gmail.com) or Tracy (tc.bialis@gmail.com). Just make us laugh. Note: although I love them, Trace isn't a fan of vulgar jokes, so let's keep it quasi-clean. After a sufficient amount of entries, Tracy and I will judge them and declare a victor.

What's in it for you: If you win, we will publish your picture in an upcoming PRESENT TENSE post. And we will mail you 5 Dollars (I know it's not much, but whatever, we're poor). In sum, We are offering you fame and fortune .

That being said, let the contest begin. Make sure I can contact you in some way if I don't readily have your email or phone number. If we receive more than Naomi's interrupting cow joke, I'll be happy. So go on and be funny!

Pictures from Planes

Tracy and I have collected a few pictures from flights over various cities. I think they are worth sharing. Enjoy.

San Francisco: Golden Gate Bridge on the left and the park on the right

Another View of SF: Bay Bridge at the top and Golden Gate Park at the bottom

Los Angeles at night

On the coast of the East Bay

Space Needle, Seattle

Somehwere between San Francisco and Seattle

Mt. Rainier!!

A month ago, at Louie and Naomi's wedding, Daniel Jessee flippantly mentioned that he was heading to Washington for an REI event and to climb Mt. Rainier. He invited me to go, and without considering the possibility, I told him that it sounded like an amazing trip (for him, not me). A week later, I remembered the conversation and started to give it some real thought. Flights were reasonable, I had some experience at 14,000 feet, and Daniel had already scoped out dates, routes, gear lists, etc... So I went for it.Now fast forward three weeks, a flight to Seattle, and an approach climb to Camp Muir at 10,000 ft.: On June 26 at 11:30pm, I woke after an 1.5 hours of sleep. Daniel and Jamie arose with me. We put on our helmets, cramp-ons, gaiters, and harnesses. We picked up our packs and ice axes and tethered ourselves to one another. We left camp and started toward the summit of Rainier at 12:45am. The first scare came as falling rocks bounced down the incline; we heard them first and saw them in the last second as they entered the scope of our headlamps. Next, we scampered up the loose rock fields. Still in the dark, we navigated around the (seemingly) bottomless crevasses. Scared and out of my comfort zone, I kept drudging forward and trying to stay focused on the task ahead.

As the hike wore on, Jamie, Daniel, and I got into a better rhythm and I gained more and more confidence. At 415ish AM, I witnessed the most majestic sunrise that I have ever seen. At 555am we summitted Mt. Rainier (14,441 ft)!


Looking back to the casual invitation from Daniel, the trip was so much more than I could have imagined then (or blog about now). Rainier was a formative and memorable experience for me. I learned so much about Mountaineering, respecting the outdoors, and my friends, Jamie and Daniel. My dad loves Mountaineering and lent me much of my gear, and I found myself thinking of him throughout the trip. He would have loved this trip (as most of my family would have). In the end, it was also a good test for me, and I feel accomplished to have completed the task.

A few thank yous: Daniel for leading and teaching, Dad for the gear and support, Blair for housing me and showing me around Seattle, Jamie for his infinite wisdom and newly found friendship, and Tracy for not worrying too too much. I've posted a few a pictures. I can show you more photos the next time I see you.

Cycling Diablo

Happy Father's Day! While I wish I could have seen my dad today, I had a great day. And here's the news of the day:

Tracy always seems to underestimate her abilities on the bike, so I thought Mount Diablo would be a good challenge for her. Last week Lou shipped her bike from Georgia, and this was our first weekend to ride together since September, 2008! Trace and I were up at 6am, and our wheels were down at 7am. I was hoping Tracy would summit, but no matter what, it was nice get outside with my girl and get some exercise.

As it turned out, Tracy rocked it! After two hours of climbing (and Tracy chatting the whole way), we topped Diablo at 9am. The views were spectacular. We stopped at the summit for a couple pictures and to call our dads. Before posting the pictures, I should confess something else. On our descent, I hit/ran over a squirrel. It was awful, because I don't think I killed it. It just dragged itself off the road. Sorry little guy. Now to the pictures...

Tracy climbing. The views are ridiculous. If you're reading this, come out and ride!

Getting out early was key, because we beat the heat and the cars. It was a quiet ascent.

Tracy's first ascent of Diablo! I was more excited than she was. In fact, this picture is evidence of that. I said, "Trace, you're doing awesome! I'm going to ride ahead, because I want to get a picture of your summit. You're killing it!" Tracy just nodded and kept peddling. I never thought I'd be that guy who needs that picture, but I'm glad I have this one. All I need now is the fanny-pack.

The person who took this had also cycled Diablo on his bike, except that he was at least 70 years old. We were so impressed. In fact, we witnessed lots of old people climbing as we descended. They were so inspirational.

Classic. Perfect day.

Papa Jim

One week after Father's Day, I will join my family on a boat off the coast of Dana Point, California, and watch the ashes of James Robertson, my papa, dissolve into the salty Pacific. 

The sound of relief, exhaustion, and nasal congestion in my mother's voice tipped me off that his time had come.  

Alzheimer's Disease stole papa's dignity from him in his last years. It stole his memory, his independence, and it stole a peaceful death. No technology and pharmaceutical advancement to date was able to stop the inevitable progression. 

Papa raised four strong, independent women. He was adored by all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a painter and a photographer. He danced anytime he heard music. He ate ice cream, had a mean Donald Duck impression, and dedicated part of his life to the Navy. Although there is so much more to papa than that, I regret to admit that this is all I know of him. I was barely old enough to comprehend before the disease had reduced our relationship to few-hour visits at a nursing home facility. 

 When we release his ashes into the ocean next weekend, I will have to refrain from being jealous of the water for having the chance to be much more intimate with papa than I ever had the chance to.

My heart is broken for my grandmother, my mom, and my aunts. Moreover, my heart is broken for the other 5.3 million Americans who have AD, and their families. 

 

I took this photo outside my grandparents' house in Dana Point, and it hung in his room. It reminds me of Papa because he was always taking beautiful pictures of flowers.

Emotions

The past month has been intense emotionally. Throughout each wedding I witnessed person after person pour their hearts out towards one another. The love of each couple resonated through everyone. During the last wedding, Louie and Naomi's ceremony, that emotion became a more personalized, less vicarious reaction. Reuniting with my home, friends, and relatives was a rush in itself. I watched my mom and dad handle the entire process of giving away a daughter. Then, realizing the change my sister and Lou were experiencing compounded it all. Experiencing those emotions within a four-hour party can be deafening and overwhelming. Only now, a week and a many miles later, have I been able to comprehend the meaning of last week's wedding. In short, I feel closer to my family* and the friends that joined Naomi and Louie. It was certainly representative of all the support they will always have. I will not forget those feelings.

I think all emotions act like that. You experience them, hold on, and only hindsight gives you some grasp of what transpired. And knowing that provides solace when experiencing any overly-emotional time--be it sadness, stress, boredom, or exhilaration. It really speaks to the truth in Tracy's "Velo Rouge" post, and it makes me think differently about the present tense.


*especially with whom I shared late-night karaoke

Santa Monica

I'm somewhat tardy with this post, but I want to share my most recent vacation with Tracy. Briefly, Tracy and I celebrated the end of our long-distance relationship, the end of the school year, and her cousin's wedding with a visit to Santa Monica, CA. I really enjoyed catching up with Tracy's family, and the time with tc was so relaxing-- farmer's market, rollerblading, and earthquakes. Instead of describing it further, I'll just post a few pictures:

Ice Cream at the Huntley

Rollerblading at Venice Beach

Gena, Dave, Kerry, me, and Trace at the Rehearsal Dinner

Up Next.... Naomi and Louie's Wedding!

The Velo Rouge Cafe

The last few days, more than any ever, have illustrated just how ephemeral the events of our life really are. 

On Saturday, I graduated college. Before I even had time to contemplate on the event, it was over. It seems time was just always out of reach. No matter how hard I tried to grasp on to the moment of hugging my good friends for the last time, the force that moves the second hand perpetually forward ripped them from my arms. 

On Sunday, Athens and I split ways with a fitting goodbye. As I ran the streets around campus one last time, the sun refused to stay in the same place, and the pressure from my footprints on the pavement lifted with each swift step. 

On Tuesday, Leo and I reunited after three months apart, to the day. That moment had been played out in both our daydreams over and over. Although the actual moment was anything but anticlimactic - it too was fleeting. Those moments of pure joy, when nothing can touch you, move on to find their next benefactor; they leave only the outline of their presence in your memories. 

The Velo Rouge Cafe is on the corner of Arguello and McAllister, one block down from Golden Gate Park, and just down the hill from USF. It is "Bike to Work" day, and many happy employees and bikers are flying down the street, hollering and fraternizing. The woman at the counter knows someone from Americus, Georgia, and my oatmeal has gone cold. 

I know that trying to hold on to these moments is fruitless. The past few days have taught me well. In one sense, it doesn't really matter. In another, it really does. 

2009 Present Tense Awards

So, it is time to hand out imaginary and worthless (yet worthy) awards for some recent accomplishments.

Louie was recently promoted to Head Bike Tech at REI. This ascent in employment comes with a sweet top hat and cane--no wait-- I'm thinking of Head Pimp Tech. Lou does get a sweet raise, more ownership of the shop, and the opportunity to better his trade for a few weeks in Colorado. Lou's also competing in his third 70.3 (Half Ironman) this weekend. Good luck and props to Lou.

My dad is retiring! This means that Dad will no longer be educating/cursing at the youth. Now, we are all wondering if he will pursue the arborist gig, privately contract jobs, or set the world-record for most consecutive mornings for waking up at 430am... To be determined. Congrats Dad. I should also say good luck to Dad at Skills USA.

Naomi and Tracy got diplomas too. While driving by Auburn University with their windows down, someone threw two degrees in their car! Congrats to Naomi and Tracy. Okay okay, I'm kidding. In actuality, both received degrees from the University of Georgia. Naomi just finished her Master's degree (while training for two marathons and teaching a whole lotta high school kids). Tracy finished her Bachelor's of Science in Pyschology, Magna Cum Laude (latin for serious badass). It seems that neither of them are stopping and will be heading towards higher degrees! Well done Naomi and Tracy.

So congrats to all. Reward yourself with a Tiger Woods fist pump. Also, stay tuned as there will be additional awards later including: best airport reunion, Century Club inductees, and the last senator to remain republican.

Adventures in Yard-Saleing

Until yesterday, the most experience I had with putting on a yard sale was selling Kool-aid and fruit roll ups at our neighborhood sales in Oklahoma. 

Who knew they required so much...effort?!

First, you have to go through all of your stuff to find what you want to put in. If you are me, this means you pick up the item and  toss it in the "keep" pile until you realize that your "sell" pile has nothing in it. You then proceed to move everything to the "sell" pile. 

I had to develop a new motto: Don't think. If you think, you might reflect on how much you paid for the item, or how much sentimental value it has. That's dangerous: thinking is bad.

Next, you buy yard sale signs and post on craigslist. This is generally pretty easy, unless a few hours after you put up the signs, huge gusts of wind and rain blow them all down. 

If it is a yard sale, you have to wake up super early to put the stuff outside. If you are me, you like it to look all pretty and organized. This never lasts long, of course. 

Then comes the interesting part: the yard sale go-ers. This is a diverse lot of people; many are just looking for a good deal and you are only an obstacle to this goal.

If you are me (aka inexperienced and lazy) and opt for a "name your own price" policy, you will soon discover the gravity of your mistake. It is wise to have a friend around who is less of a pushover. If you feel weak in your stance on a price, you just give them the look and they do the mean work for you. Done. Phew, glad that was settled...

Last, if you have your yard sale in the spring, you run the risk of rain. It will probably come at a most inopportune time, such as during the middle of a crucial sale. Nature will thus have dictated your income that day.

Don't get me wrong. Yard sales are good learning experiences. A few friendly folks will elicit that warm neighborly bonding feeling, and of course, you can't neglect that nice fat bag of cash. 

Plus, it's eco-friendly!!! Reduce, reuse, recycle, my friends :) 

Quick Bike Update

It's two weeks until the end of a crazy semester. This weekend should have been 2.5 days of hitting the books. Instead, JR, Oliver, and I spent Saturday in the saddle. We had an amazing ride from SF up the Northern Peninsula and back down the Pacific Coast Highway. The views (and the climbs) were breathtaking. Today was rough academically, but yesterday was bliss. No regrets! In fact, we'll be back out next weekend.

Oh, and I bought the wheelset...

JR and Oliver at Mile 1

Stinson Beach

My crotch hurts, but otherwise it feels great to be back.

One year ago, I was preparing for my first half ironman. Class was an afterthought, and I was putting in serious miles in Athens and Winder, GA. It's hard for me to admit, but my first year of grad school has crippled my cycling. After the MS150 in September, I hit the road only twice. I'm unsure whether school got in the way or Louie's absence caused it, but regardless, I shouldn't make excuses.

However, that has all changed! For the past three weeks, I have tackled some of the Bay Area's best hills and views. I have been riding Mt. Diablo and Berkeley's Three Bears with two other guys, JR and Oliver. JR, a fellow PhD student in the school of education, and Oliver, a Microsoft man who works in the city and boasts a killer British accent, are both incredibly enjoyable people with intimidating athletic resumes. Our rides have been a thrilling reprieve from academia and a much-needed return to saddle. And I've never been more proud to sit awkwardly in class because my butt hurts from the weekend ride.

For better or for worse, this rekindled love has also stoked my spending bug. On deck, I am upgrading my wheelset!

Not to be out done, Tc, Mom, and Newt have been logging serious miles of their own lately. And Lou and Naomi are racing in Birmingham this weekend... So until later, here's to the joy of cycling!

J.R. and Oliver on Mt. Diablo

"Yeah, like, I don't know, like..."

My father always gets on to me for saying the word "like". Our conversations typically proceed as so:

Tracy: "Okay, so I was riding my bike to class, and, like, I passed this like animal-thing in the road? [Question mark serves to denote inflection] I stopped and this, like, guy came over and, like, started screaming"

Dad: "Stop saying like"

T: "UHHH. Fine. Okay. I. was. riding. my. bike. to. class. and. I. passed this. animal. A. guy. came. over. and....[giggle giggle giggle giggle]"

I preface my attempt at "blogging" with that anecdote because it goes without mentioning all the positive opportunities "blogging" gives those who write and read them (or so I hear). I thought I would add a *NEW* pro: NO MORE "LIKES"! 

Obviously, I can't guarantee any insightfully complex and beautifully flowing pieces of art. I can't even guarantee grammor free postsies.  

In just a few weeks, I will detox myself of many material possessions and transport over to San Francisco. I will finally be geographically nea

r to Leo, after a long long long time on opposite coasts. New school, new friends, new neighborhood, new markets, new weather, new...doorknobs. Who knows. 

However, I AM SO EXCITED!  I would not be so ready for this life change if it wasn't for the support of many people in my life - each has (and is) helping me grow, be strong, learn to love and forgive. There will be "good" and "bad" times in SF, no doubt. What great practice for all the life lessons I have conjured up, and what great opportunity to gain more! When it gets really, bad, I can always call Leo:

Tracy: "Leo, like, I'm having, like a hard time..."

Leo: "I'll be right over!"

Dad in Tracy's head: DON'T SAY LIKE!!

 

 

 

 

Here we go!

I have procrastinated starting a blog for sometime. Over Winter holidays Tracy and I set one up, and only now have I decided to put down some thoughts.

This year has been a monumental transition for me. Entering an enduring tenure as a poor graduate student, becoming the West Coast half of a long-distance relationship, and having to watch my family from afar have been the more difficult challenges of the move.

Despite the downsides, the experience has been amazing and certainly life-changing. The past nine months have been an affirmation that I can succeed here and more importantly, that my passion for education can be my 9 to 5. I have met incredible people including my (slightly older) cohort, my housemates, JR, and my adviser, Frank. I have even learned to love the hill that greets my bike ride home each day. The Bay Area, full of opportunity, is an incredible place to be. And the views... All in all, my move has been an encouraging testimony to get out of your comfort zone and take the leap.

That was my preface to all subsequent posts. No more off-in-the-distance stares or allegories. I'll just try to keep you posted on me and Tracy's happenings in the Bay Area. My hope is that this blog will serve to connect me with people that I see and am unable to see. Further, I hope that the blog will be more informative and less narcissistic (as self-devoted websites can be). So, feel free to add to the discourse!