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Auntie’s Angel: The best part of my day

May 26, 2010 By QueenGeek View Comments

For many of us, the best part of the day is when we leave work. Not for me, at least not in recent weeks when I have been picking up my niece from daycare and caring for her while my sister teaches in the evening.

The best part of my day isn’t when I pickup my niece from daycare and she gleefully yell’s Aunnnnteeeeee as she smiles from ear to ear. I smile from ear to ear too but that’s not the best part of the day.

The best part of my day isn’t the ride home as she recaps the day with her playmates while “chair dancing” to the music on the radio.

The best part of my day could be our dinner parade as Auntie’s Angel insists upon helping to prepare our meal. I get a kick out of seeing her grow-up before my eyes. Our dinner conversation regarding how much of a “big girl” she has become since she is now leaving her blankey at home, tying her shoes and all sorts of 4 year old things.

The best part of the my day could be the 30 – 45 minute break I get when my niece takes a bath but that time is usually filled with loading the dishwasher or adding yet another load of clothes to the washer and dryer. Sometimes, if I’m lucky, I get to make a phone call back east to friends of family before I’m summoned to wash the princess.

The best part of my day could be the bath ritual that includes scrubbing toes and a little face followed by the “sack ‘o tatoes” ritual. After I have removed the little angel from the tub and wrapped her in a towel, I pick her up over my shoulder and tell her that I am carrying my sack of potatoes and she squeals with laughter….I’m not a sack ‘o tatoes Aunteee. We laugh as we put on enough lotion to make her slide out of bed. However, this still is not not the best part.

As we wind down for the evening, the best part of my day could be our quiet time that is spent reading a book…well, the time spent learning to read and practice her pronunciations. However, it is not.

The best part of my day is known as “tickle armpits”!! Yes, part of our nightly ritual is to play of game of tickling my niece until she cannot stand it. The uninhibited laughter is pure magic. No matter how bad my day may have been or how long or difficult, when I hear her laugh, my day is perfect and that is the best part of my day.

Listen Below

My First Digital Story

January 18, 2010 By QueenGeek View Comments

For the past few days, I attended a workshop via the Center for Digital Storytelling. Mango Mama , a very dear friend, sorority sister and digital storyteller, had recommended the workshop nearly 3+ years ago and I was finally taking the class.

What is digital storytelling? Essentially, giving voice to your personal story then adding photos and/or video to produce a 3-5 minute movie clip. Sounds easy, right? Continue reading.

As a typical, right-brain, non-creative (or so I thought), person, I worried that the cost for the class + plane fare might not be worthwhile. Although I have owned a Mac computer for the past two years and done a tiny bit of video editing, the majority of my professional career has been in the Windows world. The workshop does not focus on the technology and it becomes just a tool…nothing more than using a pen to write the story.

I did gain many technical tips for using Apple’s Final Cut Express video editing software but that was not the focus. For those techie types like myself, I was having trouble transitioning from Apple’s iMovie to Final Cut Express but now I understand why. I was attempting to learn from video editing professionals that spoke at a level that even I, QueenGeek, was having trouble digesting. The facilitators of the class definitely put all the techno-jargon into easy-to-understand terms so do not be afraid. You can do it.

In short, the class more than exceeded my expectations. I cannot offer enough praise to the center, the workshop, the environment, Mango Mama and the teachers, Stepahni and Liann. The entire experience was fantastic and ANYONE can take the class.

COMMUNICATION

If you have ever attended a workshop and had difficulty locating the building or contacting instructors then you will appreciate the communication that forwards all materials needed and explicit transportation directions and options. Although the Washington, DC metropolitan area is my home town, I have not lived here in almost 10 years. Having explicit directions, web links and phone numbers for various transportation options such as the metrorail was very helpful.

Prep Work

I cannot say enough about being as prepared for the class as possible. You do not need a computer nor have any previous Mac computer experience but you definitely need your photos. Scanners were available but if you scan ahead of time, the process will be quicker. Short video clips are just an added bonus but definitely not required. As I mentioned earlier, I was traveling out of town and I thought I had enough images. NOT!!!! I found myself scrambling through boxes upon boxes at my dad’s house for the perfect photos as well as scouring the internet for free or creative commons photos of abstract images. It is worth while to watch a few digital stories to understand that you may want abstract photos. A photo may be display anywhere from a few seconds (3 or 4) or longer. A 3-5 minute clip might not seem like a long time until you are trying to add photos and/or video to convey the emotion of your audio recording.

Background music is not required either but it may enhance your story. This can take a bit of time to find something that suites your story.

Last, bring a USB drive with a minimum of 2 GB free. It is not required but you will want to take a copy of your video with you.

No Mac Experience Required

If you have never used a Mac computer nor edited any video, do not panic. The workshop takes you by the hand, focuses on the content of the story while providing sufficient instruction on video editing.

My Digital Storytelling Experience

From the moment I listened to the draft versions of each participants story to watching the final versions, I had a blast. I was emotionally drained and tired after each day but empowered at the same time. To witness and participate in the birth of a small story is just AWESOME. I walked away with a greater appreciation for the fragile lives that we lead and how the human experience of love, loss, joy, sorrow, happiness, pain and suffering crosses all boundaries of race, religion, color and sex. Dare I mention the respect for those that create and edit movies we view in our local theaters.

At the end of the day, I felt like I could create my own movie. Well, not really, but I have been inspired to create more short digital stories.

Everyone has a story that only they can tell. Give voice to your story. Here is mine…

Kid Chef Abby

May 18, 2009 By QueenGeek View Comments

As always, spending time with Auntie’s angel is always a treat although keeping up with young children can be work. This past weekend was an extra special treat since Abby was the chef with some help from Tee. Chef Abby fixed a Ham and Cheese Galette and since we’re eating healthy, we substituted the ham with MorningStar Sausage. If that wasn’t enough, she and Chef Tee also fixed a chicken and rice disk that was yummy yummy.

Bon appetit!!

Tanya’s Rain Drop Story

January 22, 2009 By QueenGeek View Comments

I was in the midst of forwarding an inspirational video when I was going to compare it to “The Rain Drop Story”. Now, our family’s “Rain Drop Story” does not compare to the young man’s situation and life in the video. So, how did I connect these two dots? In short, both may bring a tear to your eye. Well, if I could tell my story the way my mom did, you would cry but I’m too busy giggling.

I do hope you find the young man’s words to be inspirational as I did.

My video is for my sistah who’s eyesight may not be perfect but she can now see rain!!!

Smooches!!!

If My Mother Were Alive….

November 18, 2008 By QueenGeek View Comments

If my mother were alive, I would call her and ask how she was doing? She would tell right away that something was wrong and keep asking me until I confessed. I would tell her that although I did not have a bad day, it was a disappointing day.

I would replay my day that started with my dog Delilah barking to go outside about 3:30am that was followed by her going in and out of the house for the next 20 minutes. Since I had a headache, I took some medicine and waited for it to take effect.

Since I fell back asleep after the morning ritual of Delilah’s wake-up call, I overslept. Of course, how else should Monday begin. After making my way into the office, I had several high-priority issues for a customer that did not get resolved until 4 hours later.

My work day was uneventful until I spoke to my supervisor and was informed that I did not get a coveted position at work. Now, I did not expect that I would be chosen because the person that was picked clearly has more experience that I do but still I am disappointed.

If my mother were alive, she would say something that would make me feel better. I know she would say, “once you’ve done your best, that’s all you can do” and I would follow-up with my typical “but sometimes your best isn’t enough.”

If my mother were alive, I’m sure she’d remind me to be glad that I have a job in a tight economy and I would agree.

If my mother were alive, I would tell her that I’m trying to see the glass half-full and not half-empty but today, I’m not doing such a good job.

If my mother were alive, we would probably talk about how the Washington Redskins sucked last night and lost to our rival, the Dallas Cowboys. She would undoubtedly know all the stats on all the players and question the plays that were executed. We would have a good laugh and wait for next week’s game.

If my mother were alive, I would hear her smoking a cigarette the way you can hear smokers during a telephone conversation.

If my mother were alive, I would have received an email from her that contained a joke she found on the internet.

If my mother were alive, I would find comfort in hearing her voice and although my circumstances would not have changed, I would feel better. We would end our conversation with the expectation of talking the next day because we talked everyday.

If only my mother were alive.

In memory of my mother, Clemetine “Tina” Lee

Mother’s Day 2008 for Tanya

May 16, 2008 By QueenGeek View Comments

Future CEO

April 2, 2008 By QueenGeek View Comments

At a young age, Abby is preparing herself as a future CEO.

Driving Mister Snuggles

December 8, 2007 By QueenGeek View Comments

Abby aka Miss Daisy is driving Mr. Snuggles throughout the neighborhood!!!

This video was taken with a simple point-and-shoot camera. Apple’s iMovie ’08 was used to get (download) the data from the camera and very little editing was done to this clip. The theme music from the movie, Driving Miss. Daisy, was added plus a couple of titles. This video was uploaded to one of my Blip.tv accounts and the code (links to vide) are used in the site for displaying.

Patty Cake

November 25, 2007 By QueenGeek View Comments

Ohhhhh, to be a kid again. When everything is new and wonderful. If only we could truly appreciate the times when were kids without worries (hopefully).

As I watch my niece develop, grow and learn; it is my wish that she somehow maintains that happy disposition….that she can find joy and happiness in the simplest of things…something as simple as playing (or watching) “patty cake” with a child.

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Auntie’s Angel: The best part of my day