Today I participated in the Network of Trainers Summer Social hosted by ITS training services. The day was full of very good presentations, and I had the opportunity to meet a number of colleagues that I knew virtually or via email but never met. I participated in a discussion panel regarding campus training and walked away with a number of ideas. It also allowed me to reflect on the efforts we employ at the campus to provide professional development and my role within the University.
In my opinion, one of the benefits and curses of my position is the diversity of tasks I touch. Training is a small part of that, and I appreciate the fact that the leadership of our campus truly supports and understands the need for continuous development and enrichment. Our campus team shares the task of assuring the campus has professional development opportunities and I appreciated the efforts of the ITS training staff to bring folks together to discover collaboration opportunities and the sharing of information to prevent duplication.
On my trip home I reflected on my last five and a half years with Penn State and the number of people I have had the opportunity to interact with. Working at a small campus has allowed me to work with a number of people that have very specific specialties within the University, while I do not. I noted that this is both a benefit and a curse, sometimes I would love to spend a great deal more time on any one project but I am usually not afforded that luxury. Overall, it is something I tremendously enjoy, I think I would get bored if I had to focus on any one project for too long. Oddly, I enjoy being pulled in different directions. I also enjoy the relationships I have developed and the diversity of the people and their professions. This results in a wide knowledge of the many projects and efforts taking place at the University specifically in the technical sense.
Regardless, back to the social. I enjoyed tagging the conference throughout the day via Twitter, seeing the instant feedback and reading how others interpreted the presentations and their take-a-ways. Even a librarian from University of Minnesota re-tweeted one of our comments.
I am glad the group agreed to continue to communicating via the list server, via the twitter tag #psunt, and begin researching an online collaboration tool for continued collaboration and sharing. I'll look forward to next year's social!
Dan (@scooter)
The success of our country and society rests on the shoulders of each of us. In an emotional sense, I believe I have become segregated and lost faith in our government and those we elect to represent us. In some cases, I had lost faith in the democratic process.
At times I believe the government asks society to bankroll the success of the few but does little to assure this treatment is reciprocated and this has provoked many to focus on personal successes rather than the long-term success of our nation and planet at large.
As a citizen of this great nation I believe we must have a renewed respect for the differences of our neighbors and put forth a better effort to hold ourselves accountable in our lives. We must take a proactive approach to assure our success in life along with the success of our country now and for our grand children.
I believe we must become a nation together, not a "me" centric nation based on greed and materialism. Society has retracted their interest in history and what has occurred to assure our freedoms. I believe a renewed interest in this history is required to fully realize the opportunities and freedoms we are afforded and how blessed we truly are.
I want to be a better citizen and encourage others to do the same, and in turn we will become a better nation.
For me this is a historic day twofold. The dream that all are created equal was personified. Even greater, one man was elected and accepted the responsibility to address the issues facing our nation and his election has provoked a renewed pride and unity in our nation and society.
As I reflect, I recall something I noted during the weeks following September 11th, 2001. I was astounded with how many lifted their heads as they walked down the street to acknowledge each other. People looking at each other, made eye contact as to say, "Hello friend, we need each other today, our country is not safe and I don't like it. I am looking for comfort, safety, and I know regardless of our differences we can agree."
I saw that same renewed interest in each other, our nation, and our future today. The challenge will be to continue that interest, to show respect each other and assure the success of our nation. One man will not be able to change the direction of our country; however, the hope of one man has created an opportunity for each of us to take accountability and make a difference regardless of our beliefs or whom we casted a vote.
This will be our last trip of the year. I made this trek a long weekend, heading up to the cabin on Wednesday. I stopped in Williamsport to finish grocery shopping and to check out my old stomping ground. It is amazing how the city changes in such little time.
Overall, the weather was mild, we had a couple cold nights but it wasn't too bad. We did fish but we were unsuccessful. Pine Creek is tough to fish in the winter time.
We did some exploring and found quite a few great vistas while searching for GeoCaches up and down the Pine Creek Valley.
We enjoyed a meal at Happy Acres campground and our standing order of sticky buns from the Slate Run General Store.
The highlight of the week outside of getting away and seeing friends and family was the eagles and no, not the football team. Nate (Lancaster), Dad (Kulpmont), and I were fishing near Clarks Access, south of Slate Run and noticed two eagles perched in the trees right above us. I got some great shot until I got a bit close at which time the remaining bird decided she had enough of me snapping pictures of her. We've seen these eagle before but not as close as we were able to get on this trip.
We found two additional eagles near Little Pine Creek State Park. I'll let the picture do the talking.
Other notable memories for me were the dead duck in the chimney and getting to spend time with friends and family, especially my friend's daughter Madison. You'll see the adorable pictures in the album.
I posted two new galleries.
1. Josh and Trish's wedding at the capital in Harrisburg, PA.
2. I headed to Penns Creek for the weekend and stopped at Waggoner's Gap and Opossum lake to take some photos and hike on the way home. The color could have been better, I'm a bit late for good fall photos :/
Enjoy!
