Family, Adventures, and Gadgets Collide

It seems as though I've fallen off the blogosphere, again . However, this time the culprit: a virus-infected laptop. But thanks to the generous husband of a dear friend, my computer is back up and running better than new! Can't beat that! So, hopefully I'll get back on the blogging saddle and you'll hear a lot more from me in the near future. In the meantime, here's a mini video of some recent fun times with the family. I created the video using one of my favorite programs, Animoto . (You too can create 30 second videos for FREE ! and it's as easy as pie to use!!!) Oh, and last week while at a technology workshop for school, I learned that you can post on your blog from your cell phone, like this post here . (There are two easy ways to do this; via an email or a text both made directly from your cell phone.) Wish I had learned that sooner! Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

One of my favorite gadgets, Animoto ! " Animoto automatically produces beautifully orchestrated, completely unique video pieces from your photos, video clips and music. Fast, free and shockingly easy. " (from the Animoto website) I discovered Animoto at my Library Conference in Houston last April. (Read about the perks of this coference here and here .) Since then, I have used Animoto to create several videos, including one for my dear Dad on Father's Day. But my newest use for Animoto has been creating mini videos with my Animoto iPhone App! LoVe It! I can take pics with my phone, upload them to Animoto directly from my phone, and it spits out a  fun little video to share with others. Check out the video below. It was all done from my iPhone!!!

Houston, we have landed! ... Here I am in Houston at the Texas Library Association Conference. Today my com padre(sp?) and I are enjoying ourselves in a Library 2.0 preconference session, and there are a TON of gadgets being introduced and covered today! Wikis, blogs, online survey tools, Google Docs, web cams, and RSS ... just to name a few! It's heaven for a techie! And even better, the presenters are demonstrating how to use these tools within education -- LOVING it!