Live from the bus

Ok...we are on the bus after a great day so far. We went to see the Port of Miami and what a place that was. From there we enjoyed some great speakers and some great food at the traditional Cuban restaurant La Carretas. We are ready to roll to the park for a stroll now. Stay tuned... Posting from phone is a little tedious but I had to beat Rochelle to the blogging again.

Seminar II Photos

For all of those who are home or working, here are a few photos of the week so far. Dr. Long, we hope you are feeling well and enjoy the pictures. I think Sean summed it all up pretty well below. And he beat me to it!

Missing Miami

As much as I hate to miss Session II, all in all I have to say it's worth it. Just look at that beautiful boy!

Owen Thomas Basford was born last Friday morning, and my plan was to try to tear myself from my newly increased familial unit and join my classmates in South Florida when I could (true Wedgworth dedication).

Well, you know how plans can go...

Owen and the North Florida Regional Medical Prison (just kidding, it is truly a wonderful place) had other plans. Everything is fine...Owen is very healthy, he just seems to be very fond of a little extra oxygen. He has been in the special care nursery since Friday and we have been hoping every day that the next one would be the day we could take him home. One day, tomorrow will eventually get here...it HAS to! (or at least that's what I keep telling myself...)

Anyway, I just wanted to let you, my classmates know I was thinking about you and wish I could be with you all. I know I'm missing a lot, and I'll depend on some of you to help get me back on track.

Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers!

A Few Steps Up

Well, posting live from Seminar II. I have to say the accomodations are a few steps up from Gainesville. Boy has that been resounded by everyone. So far the group has gelled even further amongst itself. Everyone is enjoying the great subjects and Hannah's hard work and preparation. It is truly amazing how smooth it all goes with all of her excellent planning and detail work. To quote her on herself, "I have control issues", puts it all in to context. Her control issues sure keep this roller coaster on the track at full speed. So far we have seen the Federal Reserve and asked for sample bags (we were denied with the exception of shredded money), we have seen the inner workings of the Herald, the other side of life in Miami at the Camillus House, Overtown and Liberty City, heard from a plethora of awesome guest speakers, and more. Well, I really just wanted to beat Rochelle to the punch by posting "Live from Seminar II" first and now I gotta go meet the group to head over to South Beach for some more debauchery and good times. Stay tuned....

Recommended "Reading" on iTunes

I was doing a little homework for next week and found a reading by Michael Grunwald of "The Swamp." on iTunes. (Yeah, I'm just that lazy...but hey, at least I shared.)

I haven't listened to it yet, so I don't really know how good it is. But seeing how there's not much time to read the whole book, this will have to do...

Just go to the iTunes store and search for "The Swamp: The Everglades, Florida and the Politics of Paradise." It should be the only thing to come up.

What in the world would we do without iPods????

Miami Chic---Couldn't Resist

I posted a comment to Adam's blog below and I just couldn't help myself. Miami Chic as defined by Jim Carrey. Push the Play arrow. LMAO every time.

A Cry For Help...Miami-Chic Style

I just spent over an hour and a half scouring the Oaks Mall for an acceptable outfit for our Wednesday night reception. To my horror, Dillards was all out of white linen suits and shiny lavender tee shirts. Supprisingly, they did have double-breasted pinstriped suits, but the lapels were nowhere near wide enough...

Does anyone know where this panhandle boy might find some attire suitable for a proper Miami chic reception? I really don't want to look out of place.

Seriously though, it does bother me a little that I'm going to have to buy a whole new outfit for one reception. But I'll try to look on the bright side...at least I won't have to buy socks...

Remember we discussed "Second Life" in one of our sessions -- the alternative online world where you can be whoever you want? I came across this piece on the U.S. News & World Report web site about universities teaching classes in Second Life. Go figure. http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/e-learning/2008/01/10/a-second-life-for-higher-ed.html

Seminar II

Alright, it is finally here. We will be in Miami soon and back into the groove of WLIANR. I wanted to post just to say how much I am looking forward to a busy and productive week. See you all down there.