Tuesday, June 15, 2010

It's a start

This is the third year I've attended the Bloggers Summit at SCGS Jamboree.  I've had this blog for I don't know how long, long before the Blogger Summit. It was originally called Reflections because that was what I was supposed to do.  I was in a training on educational technology  (I'm in K-12 education) at least five years ago and we were supposed to "reflect" on our training.  I got the blog set up in the old blogger system but never wrote anything.  At this point I'm not even sure what the address of this blog is.  But, I'm getting started. 

This weekend was the SCGS Jamboree in Burbank.  We had a great time.  Bill has now learned enough that he enjoys the classes, chooses his own, and can hold an intelligent conversation about genealogy.  For the last year and a half he's been my secretary as president of the Genealogical Society of North Orange County California. I'm very lucky as there were not many couples sharing this passion.  He's pushing me to take a vacation to Scituate, Massachusetts this summer to do further research on his Mayhew line.

This Jamboree was different for me.  After all the years of on again, off again, researching, I've now gotten more into the community.  I'm almost finished with the National Institute for Genealogical Studies course through the University of Toronto.  I joined APG this year as an actual member, not publications only.  I joined the Southern California APG chapter at Jamboree. I know people.  I walk around the conference and people say hello to me. I have a nodding acquaintance with people who think they know me but aren't sure. It was definitely different.

Loved Jamboree. (Isn't it funny that the name is so ingrained that it is Jamboree rather than the jamboree.) I went to quite a few sessions on social networking, learned how to use GenealogyWise, Second Life, and Twitter. As with my blogging, these are all things I've already learned and never used.  When I took the class on Second Life and learned about the opportunities for genealogy I re-activated my avitar, although I don't think you have to reactivate, I'm already two years old.  I've had Twitterrific on my iPhone for awhile but wasn't sure how to use it. Guess, I really do like to be shown how to do things rather than fiddle around or read the directions.

Since I've been told that blog entries should be short; people don't like to read more than three paragraphs, I think I should stop reflecting.  My goal is to reflect at least once a week.  Why was I able to start now and not before?  Thanks to the California economy, I have three days of forced furlough.  It's the first time I've been able to come home from a conference and use what I've learned without waiting a week.  Momentum helps.

5 comments:

Nancy said...

Hi Jamie
Like your Reflections. Good page.
I agree Jamboree was really fun this year.
I am envious that you learned Genealogy Wise, Second Life, and Tweeting. I think I figured out how to Tweet after Thomas' class. I'm practicing.

Nancy

geneabloggers said...

You’ve got a great genealogy blog and I’ve added it to the blog list at GeneaBloggers.

In addition, I’ve made sure your blog is listed in our search engine (http://www.geneabloggers.com/search-geneablogger-member-blogs/) so that it may be searched along with over 1,100 other genealogy blogs.

Finally, I will also highlight your blog in my weekly This Week’s New Genealogy Blogs post on Saturday, 19 June 2010.

Is there anything you need from us in terms of tech assistance or other advice? Check out the GeneaBloggers Welcome Wagon for lots of info: http://www.geneabloggers.com/about/. And if you need technical help, I run a tech blog for bloggers: http://fbbootcamp.blogspot.com

Cheers!

Thomas MacEntee

Elyse said...

Jaime -

I hope you had a lot of fun and learned a lot at Jamboree. It is Wednesday and I've finally recovered my sleep and my brain is able to process everything.

It was so good talking to you in the Second Life class. Once you get on, add me as a friend (my name is Abigail Edring on Second Life).

Great blog!

-Elyse

Professor Dru said...

Looking forward to reaing your blog. I tweet, but hae not tried Second Life. I set up a Genealogy Wise account some time ago, but have not really it.

Glad to hear that attending the Jamboree had such a positive effect on you. Wish I had been there. Hopefully next year I can attend.

Lisa Swanson Ellam said...

Welcome, Jaime!
I look forward to reading more of your Reflections!
Lisa