Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Mini-Course Is A-Comin'!!!!

Happy September!

I'm way overextended and too busy to write much this afternoon. However, I am happy to announce that I shall get into the groove of posting more often and doing just what I've promised for TWO straight Blogging While Brown Conferences: BEGIN BLOGGING. It's about time, yes? Not another birthday (August 25th, BTW and there is no such thing as a "late" gift!) or Conference will pass with that element of shame in THIS blogger's game!
And, because this Virgo loves nothing more than another Virgo (on most days)? I am announcing the unveiling of my newest Twitter hashtag, which arrived a wee bit early, i.e., two weeks prior to the start of my mini-course, now entitled "Social Media and the Law." The new hashtag will allow me to track students' tweets re: class doings, social media happenings, and, of course, the LAW. I also plan to tweet my professorial experiences therein and thereof; however, when it comes to this arena? We're ALL students! If you'd like to check us out and peek in on our discussions? Follow the hashtag #HerMini from late September to late October. Though the Twitter handle I've chosen to use during the mini-course MAY give a hint of my academic location? Please be aware that -- major disclaimer coming -- it has NOTHING to do with any school or university and is absolutely not affiliated with the institution where I shall teach. It's my personal Twitter account, to be used solely for my personal purposes. Got it?!

Given the winds of change that are swirling around legal education of late, I intend to return to the roots of this particular institution's history and emphasize the notion of the Activist Lawyer. In celebration of the spirit and living legacies of Dean Charles Hamilton Houston, Justice Thurgood Marshall, and Civil Rights Activist Extraordinaire, Diane Nash? I've chosen the cover of a pretty well know book about the beloved strategist and Conductor of the Underground Railroad, Harriet Tubman, as my Twitcon/Avi:



She brings the ancestral energy of responsibility and community that I hope to channel to my students, given the activist legal training I shall impart. The world -- because I'm not convinced that the end all and be all is the U.S. -- needs stewards of a more humane future; the planet needs legal minds trained to protect resources that we hold most dear; people need brilliant lawyers to take on the causes of social justice, even if only via one person's life at a time. I learned as an AUSA that there is no such thing as a small thing when it comes to those in positions of power assisting those who are less powerful. I'm thrilled to teach this class at this institution and hope that the students will bring their "A" games and are ready to PLAY HARD.




Meanwhile?

My love affair with Twitter grows even stronger. Oh, sure: we've had our spats and a little distancing. Why, I've even seen the inside of a dank and lonely "Twitter Jail" cell (and, like most such units of its kinds, is NOT FUN). But, the speed with which the medium is utterly DESTROYING the corporate and traditional conglomerates astounds and delights me.




I'm off to work on a number of other items and perhaps even an evening yoga class. Don't forget that you can follow me on Twitter. So?





@ Me Or Dap Me!













Twitter Bird Icon, Courtesy of Practika

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Gearing Up...





Fall 2011 is coming! Well, academically, that is. I am on leave from my home institution; however, I shall teach this Fall. Yup: per my interests in social media, I'm teaching a mini-course at a DC area law school called - drum roll, please -- The Law & Social Media! I'm looking forward to it, as well as some of the other beginnings that I ALWAYS feel as Summer unofficially winds down and Fall gears up. As I love the DC area, my tiny condo, and my happening neighborhood, I look forward to doing so many, many things that I miss while I'm away. Already? I've benefitted from my renewed Kennedy Center membership, already enjoying the Royal Danish Ballet's dress rehearsal with my older niece (who'd actually danced The Nutcracker with the Joffrey Ballet five years ago), buying AMAZING seats to "Wicked" for my younger niece, and RSVP-ing for a dress rehearsal of the Washington National Opera with a friend who LOVES all things opera(tic). I'm also planning on getting free tix to "Julius Caesar" at the Shakespeare Theater before Labor Day.







Who knows? Maybe I'll even throw a Howard University alumni Homecoming Party! Of course, as I'm not working? That may cut a bit too deeply into my savings, LOL! However, if I can, maybe I should. Hmmm....







As I also gear up for my birthday, I think about so many important aspects of law teaching and the type of lawyer or -- better, person -- I want to help form.







So, I'm highlighting articles, saving links, and saving compelling Tweets as "Favorites." This is where I am my most organic and, frankly, part of the reason I'm so motivated is the sense of self I get to bring before a certain set of students at a certain law school. I'm even going to be more consistent with this blog and, perhaps, create a new one. Professors who teach courses on social media and who've attended two blogging conferences? Probably should stop dragging her feet and get AT it.




Pic courtesy of Pixomar

Friday, July 8, 2011

Blogging Bootcamp!




I'm baaaaack! I have been negligent, to put it nicely and kindly. I haven't blogged since leaving Blogging While Brown 2010(!) in DC. I feel bad; however, I'm clear as to the importance of blogging now and I'm here in the boot camp again to re-up my skills and learn with context in mind. I'm thrilled! And after spending time with Dom/Hasani, Rachel, & Tim? And after chatting with my Mija, Ann? My muses are back!


























See?!

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Day 2: We'll Always Have D.C.!


A STRONG finish was had at the Blogging While Brown Conference. I had no idea that they'd provide GOOD coffee, juice, water (though, it seems, no tea; folks were looking, poor dears) in the morning and a really tasty box lunch and afternoon snacks with beverages throughout. Seriously: can I just say again how utterly professional the organization was of this conference? Great speakers, interesting topics, excitement, technology, and ENERGY! I met a couple of pals who welcomed me to their lunch table and proceeded to engage in the most enjoyable lunch chat I've enjoyed in a while (I'm looking at YOU, NeoSoul AlterEgo and CancerSlayerGyrl). LOVED this conference; I'm very excited about participating and I look forward to the bright future of "Brown bloggers." Thanks to you ALL.

Left the conference early. My next gathering beckoned! Profs of Color, hosted by power couple, Angela and Howard. This year was as good as such gatherings get (though I say that every year I attend)! My most admired and beloved colleagues across The Academy were there, hale and hearty. They are brilliant, funny, sane, do my heart good (even though they EACH represent The Cool Kids faction of The Academy and generously let my so NOT cool self hang out from time to time)! Thanks for the fab time, Angela & Howard. Glad I didn't take more of that chocolate cake home. NOT!

Happy Father's Day!

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Good Morning! (Day 2, Blogging While Brown Conference)


I'm back and boy, am I no longer a city girl -- or I am so taking my Summer Break waay too seriously (BTW: THAT, trust) -- as I found myself dragging in absolutely not in time for the 8:30 start. That is sooo NOT DC (which is what I used to be)! Le sigh...

But, these folks are really so DOING the darned thing! Beautifully clean, appropriately-cooled, spacious facilities in the D.C. Convention Center, even COFFEE (as the resident Starbucks isn't open on the weekend, it seems, the guards sadly informed me when I entered the building). I am so glad I'm part of this movement, 'tho I'm bringing up the rear and sitting in the back of the room, again. Late Registration. (I've taken to inserting citations in my "lay life" -- as do I in my "law life" -- a la Drake (vs. The Blue Book).

First break. I'm taking advantage of the BWB coffee; it's smooth and strong!

Friday, June 18, 2010

Back in my Lane

The Blogging While Brown Beginner's Boot Camp was WONDERFUL. I cannot say enough about the technical and teaching skills of our "drill sergeants:" Gina, Carmen Dixon Rosenzweig (allaboutrace.com and BlackVoices.com), and Scott Hanselman (http://www.hanselman.com/; interestingly, his life seems to be VERY Af-Am laden; his intro included his foray into hair care for Black women - "I can do your individuals" - and showing his sole Caucasian self in the midst of a throng of Black fam; how's THAT for yer post-racial America, LOL!).

I'm back at home, deciding to forego the formal opening session and vowing to show up bright and early tomorrow a.m. to learn more about this world of blogging. Call me a chicken; however, I'm a little hesitant to blow my cover with the young folks. I figure if I wedge into jeans, don nerdy eyewear, and look nonchalant, MAYBE I can pass for a few years younger ... if I'm just sitting in a session/class. God help me if I, say, go bowling with the young folks and my knees give way or folks guffaw as I pull out my antiquated cellie....

Video Vixen (heh)


New skills on display: embedding video. So: I thought I'd post this interview with Laurence Fishburne in "Thurgood," as I found certain aspects of the performance riveting. In fact? I actually had a bad dream about unconstitutional searches of my car and home. What a luxury: police violence in my dreams. Justice Marshall was said never to have been able to forget the memories and sounds of Black men being beaten by White cops daily outside his office: