Hi Ho! Hi Ho! It’s Off to the Computer we Go!

The other day my son was watching Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs on his computer. I told him, “You know when your mommy and daddy were your age, we saw this movie too.” He responded, “Did you watch it on your computer too?” I responded, “No, we saw it in a movie theater.” He responded, “Why?” We then proceeded to explain that computers were not commonplace until our teen years. He then responded, “Wow, that must be from the old days.”

Having said that, I love watching what my son does and learns on his computer. The other week I installed Toon Town on his computer; a web based Disney application, which presents the user with a number of challenges. Needless to say he sprung into action and seems to be enjoying it. My son also uses the web to learn interesting facts about the NYC subway system and some of the old time train such as the Santa Fe line as well as other areas of interest. It goes without saying that he visits a variety of other web sites, plays with photo editing software, utilizes a variety of drawing tools, plays a variety of educational games, and watches videos on his computer. With this in mind, I am pleased to say that I am very impressed with the built in Parental Controls on the Apple Computer. The Parental Controls allow me to decide which applications my son can use, configure iTunes to show only content that is rated G and Y-7, configure the web browser with similar restrictions, set time limits for computer usage, and enables the parent to review how their child uses the computers through user logs.

Naturally, nothing beats the parent working with their child on the computer and I consider myself very fortunate to have had plenty of opportunities to do this. In fact, this undoubtedly helped me have a better understanding of how to customize the computer to maximize my son’s learning environment. However, I also understand the importance of allowing your child to use his/her computer independently. At the same time it is important to have a mechanism of ensuring that he/she is working is a safe computing environment. To this end, I am a fan of the Parental Controls provided through Apple Computer and I am fairly confident my wife will second that motion.

Run for fun? What the hell kind of fun is that?

Many times when I mention to people that I jog every day, they seem surprised. The expression on their face says, “Why would you do that to yourself?” Other reactions include, “I give you credit”, “Wow you must be tired”, and of course the all time favorite “So are you still keeping up with that running thing?”

Having said that, I think its safe to say that most people understand the obvious benefit of exercise. Clearly, there have been countless studies citing how good it is for you. So why are a majority of people not donning running shorts and jogging. In short, there is a perception that exercise is boring. So is running boring? Is weight lifting boring? Is exercise boring? The answer to this question is, only if you allow it to be boring. Simply put, the iPod or a myriad of portable music devices can transform a walk or jog into a memorable experience. An experience you will look forward to on a daily basis.

As I jog around Marine Park approximately 8 times, my iPod plays Madonna, Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan, Cyndi Lauper, The Beastie Boys, Prince, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Run DMC, Sir Mix A Lot, Matisyahu, Adele, Amy Winehouse, Panic at the Disco, Supremes, Temptations, Tom Petty, ELO, Bruce Springsteen, Duran Duran, Wham, Weird Al, and too many other musicians to list here. By listening to a variety of music styles, it keeps the run interesting as each run has a different feel thanks to the new music. Additionally, I like to mix it up. Run a fast lap, run a slow lap, run in the snow, run in the rain, run in the wind, and run with your eyes closed.

So… in closing, get an iPod and go jogging. You might surprise yourself and discover that running is fun.

Please Don't Let me be Misunderstood- A Child's Perspective

They look at my face

And say, is he in outer space

They say, what a waste

He’s playing with toothpaste

I say, look at me

Walking on my knee

Bet you think it’s crummy

I think it’s very funny

I have been call wild

I am the autistic child

Don’t expect me to speak

Just because you say eek

Don’t be in a funk

Because I play with junk

Some think I am a foolish prancer

They don’t know I grow up to cure cancer

Totally Redux, Chapter 3- At the Ruins of Arcadia

A few minutes ago a gorilla and some elderly wrestlers were chasing me. In a blink of an eye, this all changed. I am currently piloting a spaceship towards a grey moon. Wait!! That’s no moon! I think that’s a space station. This all seems too familiar. For some reason, I am navigating my ship across a narrow pathway. I am not sure why I am inclined to do this. Perhaps I am trying to dodge the spaceships behind me. Ooh!! That was close!! Those spaceships mean business. This targeting computer might help me. Apparently, it seems to directing me forward and wants me to target a nuclear reactor. This day is just getting weirder and weirder.

I wonder what will happen next. Boom!!! I was hit by something. Boom!!! I have been hit again. Shields are down to 60%. Boom!!! Boom!!! What keeps hitting me? Uh Oh!! I think I’m flying in an asteroid field. I better think of something fast. My shields are down to 25%. Let me try flying into that cave.

Crash!!! The space ship is gone. I am now on what appears to be the set of Dance Dance Revolution. I am informed that Sponge Bob is challenging me to a dance contest. I proceed to start dancing when… ZAP!!!! I am holding a guitar in my hand and appear to be on stage with Guns and Roses. I attempt to play guitar and fail miserably. I guess Guitar Hero makes it look easy. Zoom!!! Zing!!! Clack!!! All the lights are off. A man wearing a green cape, yellow tights, with a big A emblem on his chest, and silver sunglasses approaches me and says, “Welcome to Arcade World. I have been expecting you.”