Oh, so much is happening. And there are three more days to go. I will survive!!
Last night I attended a reception for bloggers that was hosted by FamilySearch. All bloggers who were attending the FGS conference were invited. It was great to actually meet some of the bloggers I had never met and to be reintroduced to some of those I did know. Fun.
FamilySearch representatives provided so much information about new projects and improved services on familysearch.org. There was lots of information regarding RootsTech 2012. Many of us are going to want to help indexing the 1940 census starting next April. Progress is being made on putting Civil War records online.
One of the most impressive statements to me is that records are being added online within 4 weeks after being digitalized and the goal is to have them available in 2 weeks. Amazing. Indexing will come later but the images are going to be available for browsing. Well, we used to just wind microfilm; now we click on images. Which is easier on the shoulder?
Wednesday was society day. We had sessions on so many different topics from making sure our society is thinking about the future in meeting the changing needs of our members, both our current ones and our new ones. Sessions on social media in all forms were available all day. Brainstorming sessions were also offered so that we received ideas from many attendees. What a great variety of ideas. I loved it.
It's so difficult to unwind tonight. But tomorrow morning is coming. And there will be great sessions and the exhibit hall will also be open. I'm really looking forward to another great day.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
FGS 2011 - Part 1 - Tuesday
You will probably be able to read about this FGS conference by many bloggers. This will be my first conference since becoming a blogger.
The conference actually starts tomorrow. This morning, Tuesday, a took the Metra from Morton Grove to Union Station in the Chicago area; then the Amtrak from Chicago to Springfield. Guess what? Three of the four people sitting in front of me were also coming to the conference. Harold, from Indiana, and Jacqueline from Evanston, sat together. Then is seems that Harold had never met Jane from Michigan, but I believe Jane had helped Harold out with some research. SMALL WORLD!!
I checked in and then went looking for someplace for lunch. You can't believe all of the Welcome signs in the cafe windows. What a nice feeling. Unfortunately, in the few blocks I walked, I'm going to be unable to visit all of the very interesting restaurants during the time I'm here. I like to walk before and after a day sitting during a conference. I also walk during the lunch break, if I'm not signed up for a lunch. If you're looking for someplace, walk Adams and Monroe, and 6th and 5th streets. (That's what I've done so far.) I had a great chicken, walnut, raspberry salad at Trout Lily on 6th Street.
Next stop: the convention center to pick up registration materials. I still need to get myself organized for tomorrow. Oh, yes. On the way back from the convention center, I found an Irish pub that is supposed to have music Wednesday, tomorrow, night. I don't know whether or not the music is traditional. But I may stop by. The Celtic Mist is on 7th street, just across from the Abraham Lincoln Hotel.
As I walked into the hotel lobby, Amy had just finished checking in and was going to drop off luggage. She was meeting a friend in a hotel restaurant and invited me to join. Instead I'm here, back in the room. I figured out how to connect to the internet, unpacked, and I'm resting. The next 4 days are going to be busy, exciting and fun.
Come back and read additional parts. I'll try to let you know about my experiences as if you are here. And, don't forget to check out the other bloggers who are writing about this FGS conference.
Disclosure: I've mentioned a couple of specific restaurants, but I have received no compensation or discount from either of them.
The conference actually starts tomorrow. This morning, Tuesday, a took the Metra from Morton Grove to Union Station in the Chicago area; then the Amtrak from Chicago to Springfield. Guess what? Three of the four people sitting in front of me were also coming to the conference. Harold, from Indiana, and Jacqueline from Evanston, sat together. Then is seems that Harold had never met Jane from Michigan, but I believe Jane had helped Harold out with some research. SMALL WORLD!!
I checked in and then went looking for someplace for lunch. You can't believe all of the Welcome signs in the cafe windows. What a nice feeling. Unfortunately, in the few blocks I walked, I'm going to be unable to visit all of the very interesting restaurants during the time I'm here. I like to walk before and after a day sitting during a conference. I also walk during the lunch break, if I'm not signed up for a lunch. If you're looking for someplace, walk Adams and Monroe, and 6th and 5th streets. (That's what I've done so far.) I had a great chicken, walnut, raspberry salad at Trout Lily on 6th Street.
Next stop: the convention center to pick up registration materials. I still need to get myself organized for tomorrow. Oh, yes. On the way back from the convention center, I found an Irish pub that is supposed to have music Wednesday, tomorrow, night. I don't know whether or not the music is traditional. But I may stop by. The Celtic Mist is on 7th street, just across from the Abraham Lincoln Hotel.
As I walked into the hotel lobby, Amy had just finished checking in and was going to drop off luggage. She was meeting a friend in a hotel restaurant and invited me to join. Instead I'm here, back in the room. I figured out how to connect to the internet, unpacked, and I'm resting. The next 4 days are going to be busy, exciting and fun.
Come back and read additional parts. I'll try to let you know about my experiences as if you are here. And, don't forget to check out the other bloggers who are writing about this FGS conference.
Disclosure: I've mentioned a couple of specific restaurants, but I have received no compensation or discount from either of them.
Friday, September 2, 2011
FGS 2011 - Tai Chi - Yang Style (Long form)
I'll be in Springfield next Tuesday afternoon. Does anyone practice Tai Chi Yang Style Long Form? Would you like to meet during the conference? Morning, lunch time, evening?
I'm still a beginner. I studied for about 3 years with a great teacher, but have had to practice on my own for the past 2 years. Unfortunately the studio closed and I've been unable to find another location that also teaches/practices this style.
At Jamboree and at FGS in Knoxville, it never occurred to me to ask if any one else wanted to practice. Of course, I may not have asked since I wasn't a blogger then.
Please let me know. Perhaps we can find some time that is good for us all. Thank you.
I'm still a beginner. I studied for about 3 years with a great teacher, but have had to practice on my own for the past 2 years. Unfortunately the studio closed and I've been unable to find another location that also teaches/practices this style.
At Jamboree and at FGS in Knoxville, it never occurred to me to ask if any one else wanted to practice. Of course, I may not have asked since I wasn't a blogger then.
Please let me know. Perhaps we can find some time that is good for us all. Thank you.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Thrifty Thursday - Mel's 19 cent hamburgers - Pomona
Did any of you live in the Pomona California area in the 1960s? Did you ever go to Mel’s? It was located at 304 East Holt; at the corner of Holt and Palomares). They had 19 cent hamburgers and 21 cent cheeseburgers; just what starving college students needed on weekends when the Cal Poly cafeteria was closed, or when we needed something other than cafeteria food.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
FGS - Planning - Part 2
The other day I wrote about my list and the items I needed. A new post on the FGS Conference blog says that the weather will be great. Again, the jacket is high on my list. Nights are going to be downright COLD for me. (Winter style).
I forgot to mention that I have another list, not the one for items to be sure to pack. That list is for everything I need to do before I leave for two weeks: cancel the newspaper; complete a mail-hold form; water houseplants; laundry; set timers; and clean. I really don't like to come home to a dirty house, so I make sure I vacuum, clean the stove and kitchen floor as well as clean out the refrigerator (open milk or cottage cheese has a distinctive odor after two weeks in a closed refrigerator). I also put clean sheets on the beds, clean towels in the bathroom and also clean the toilets. Not exciting, but I'm much happier to return to a clean house. I also check to make sure the drip system for the outside plants is working and the timers are set appropriately. Two weeks of 110+ weather really can sizzle plants.
Lastly, don't forget to unplug or turn off all of those electronic devices, especially anything that may not like a power surge or a power outage what occasionally occurs during a bad storm.
I forgot to mention that I have another list, not the one for items to be sure to pack. That list is for everything I need to do before I leave for two weeks: cancel the newspaper; complete a mail-hold form; water houseplants; laundry; set timers; and clean. I really don't like to come home to a dirty house, so I make sure I vacuum, clean the stove and kitchen floor as well as clean out the refrigerator (open milk or cottage cheese has a distinctive odor after two weeks in a closed refrigerator). I also put clean sheets on the beds, clean towels in the bathroom and also clean the toilets. Not exciting, but I'm much happier to return to a clean house. I also check to make sure the drip system for the outside plants is working and the timers are set appropriately. Two weeks of 110+ weather really can sizzle plants.
Lastly, don't forget to unplug or turn off all of those electronic devices, especially anything that may not like a power surge or a power outage what occasionally occurs during a bad storm.
FGS - Introduce Yourself
Amy Coffin of WeTree http://wetree.blogspot.com/ wrote about Sheri Finley's (The Educated Genealogist http://sherifenley.blogspot.com/) "We Were All First Timers Once." If you haven't read these blogs, please do. THEN, let's all make sure we introduce ourselves to those first timers. Well, why not just introduce ourselves to those sitting around us at sessions.
Oh, by the way, I'm from Arizona. In Springfield I plan on wearing a long skirt and some Indian jewelry (pendants and earrings), and I'd love to meet you.
Oh, by the way, I'm from Arizona. In Springfield I plan on wearing a long skirt and some Indian jewelry (pendants and earrings), and I'd love to meet you.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
FGS 2011 - Planning for the Trip
Since I live in Arizona and the FGS2011 conference is in Illinois, I have been making plans for some time. I have had my hotel reservations, conference registration and flight plans for a few months. Now, since I'm leaving in less than one week, I need to make all of those last minute arrangements.
I can't forget an umbrella. (Arizona rain storms don't last long enough to need one here.) I also need to bring a jacket. And not just one for sitting inside. The high temperatures in Springfield during the past week have been lower than the low temperatures in Phoenix. So I'll need a jacket for mornings and evenings.
Since I won't have a car, I need to be sure I have all of those little extras: over-the-counter meds; pens/pencils; sticky notes; snacks (to keep up my energy). I'll be taking the train from Chicago, so I need to have a map of how to get to the hotel from the train station. (I don't mind a few blocks walk and I have a roll-on suitcase. Of course, I'll also have my computer case so I'll need to make sure I don't make it too heavy.) Oh, yes. I need to make plans for getting my notes and anything (Anything? Everything!) else I purchase from the vendors into the two cases on Sunday when it's time to leave Springfield.
I received the syllabus online. Now I need to decide exactly what sessions I want to attend. Of course, I may make changes once I arrive. But I want to have a basic plan. Unfortunately, I found conflicts at some time periods; two or three sessions I want to attend at the same time. Well, that's what CDs are for. And I know I can purchase some at the conference. I just need to decide which session to attend and which one to get a CD for.
I think I'm ready. I'm a list-maker, so I have a list started. During the next few days I'll cross off items as I pack them and add items as I think of something else I'll need. I'm looking forward to the trip (except perhaps for the security at the airport), but the conference is worth it. Definitely!!
I can't forget an umbrella. (Arizona rain storms don't last long enough to need one here.) I also need to bring a jacket. And not just one for sitting inside. The high temperatures in Springfield during the past week have been lower than the low temperatures in Phoenix. So I'll need a jacket for mornings and evenings.
Since I won't have a car, I need to be sure I have all of those little extras: over-the-counter meds; pens/pencils; sticky notes; snacks (to keep up my energy). I'll be taking the train from Chicago, so I need to have a map of how to get to the hotel from the train station. (I don't mind a few blocks walk and I have a roll-on suitcase. Of course, I'll also have my computer case so I'll need to make sure I don't make it too heavy.) Oh, yes. I need to make plans for getting my notes and anything (Anything? Everything!) else I purchase from the vendors into the two cases on Sunday when it's time to leave Springfield.
I received the syllabus online. Now I need to decide exactly what sessions I want to attend. Of course, I may make changes once I arrive. But I want to have a basic plan. Unfortunately, I found conflicts at some time periods; two or three sessions I want to attend at the same time. Well, that's what CDs are for. And I know I can purchase some at the conference. I just need to decide which session to attend and which one to get a CD for.
I think I'm ready. I'm a list-maker, so I have a list started. During the next few days I'll cross off items as I pack them and add items as I think of something else I'll need. I'm looking forward to the trip (except perhaps for the security at the airport), but the conference is worth it. Definitely!!
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