Reading comp. podcast

My wife had to do a podcast for a class..well here is a test to see how it looks splashed on my blog.
This podcast is on reading comprehension for a class she is taking online. Give it a listen and let her know what you think....first podcast I have ever helped anyone do.
http://www.kirkwhitaker.com/diana/podcast/podcast1.mp3

Also there are handouts:
http://www.kirkwhitaker.com/diana/podcast/Ray%20Bradbury%20The%20Pedestrian.pdf

http://www.kirkwhitaker.com/diana/podcast/Misuse%20of%20Cell%20Phones.pdf

http://www.kirkwhitaker.com/diana/podcast/Shakespeare%20Sonnet%2029.pdf

http://www.kirkwhitaker.com/diana/podcast/Steven%20King%20Why%20We%20Crave%20Horror%20Movies.pdf

http://www.kirkwhitaker.com/diana/podcast/Reading%20Comprehension%20Strategies.pdf

http://www.kirkwhitaker.com/diana/podcast/Reading%20Comprehension%20Survey.pdf

http://www.kirkwhitaker.com/diana/podcast/READING%20COMPREHENSION%20USING%20A%20PODCAST.ppt

And here is a copy of the script if you wish to follow along:
http://www.kirkwhitaker.com/diana/podcast/Pod%20Cast.doc

Kirk

karate...more than just something to do.

Those who know me know I enjoy karate. Shotokan to be exact. I enjoy the physical exercise, camaraderie among participants and general sense of well being that it promotes. But there is more to it than that. There is a mental and almost spiritual component to it. You are able to check your mental cares at the door and relax for an hour or more. We all need that downtime. Without some sort of mental/meditative relaxation your mind gets all confounded. Karate is physical yes, but you concentrate on it much like you would reading, crossword puzzles or other things that challenge the mind. You mentally and physically fight with your body and mind to conform them into what you are trying to do. I didn't get this as a Yellow or Orange belt. Only after returning to karate after a three or four year absence did I finally as a Green belt begin to understand just how relaxing it can be.

Dojo Kun:
Seek Perfection of Character
Be Faithful
Endeavour
Respect Others
Refrain from Violent Behavior

After my last belt test I had to do a very introspective look. I failed to execute my Kata perfectly and was only awarded a half kyu...I was grateful for the half kyu, but saddened by the fact I did not achieve my goal. Then after class the next week, while I was still rather despondent about it, I began to think on the principals of karate. My mistake cost me a half kyu, but has caused me to seek to enjoy the journey more. I must seek to perfect my technique, myself and all the other things that karate strives to teach. Yes it will take me a little while longer reach my goal of black belt, but I am thankful I am a brown belt who has learn a few lessons about life and karate all from a few mistakes.
What breaks you makes you stronger.
k

Love in any Language.

I know I don't say it as often as I need to to those whom I love. I love you is just three words, but sincerely it means the world. I wish there was an easier way to convey it...but sometimes the words just get in the way. We say those three words time and time again. Our society has worn them out in song and poem. A lot of the time it is like you just say it...like you would "hello" or "goodbye". Say it today and follow it up with more than just a word...you may not have tomorrow to say it again.
I was just pondering that today. Guess I just wanted those who know that I love them as friends and family that you do mean more to me than just three little words.
The Bible points out that no great love has a man for another than if he would lay down his life for that person. Not saying we need to step in the way of a speeding bullet, but we need to give of ourselves in a way that is not self serving. Loving your neighbor as yourself is also pointed out...how can you not love yourself...love your neighbor that deep. Even moreso we love our friends and family...I hope to be able to convey that this week in some way. By doing these things we show that we love God even more....He loved us first.
K

Micheal Jackson

I am sick of hearing about MJ. Sorry for you MJ fans, but enough is enough. Same as when Elvis died...I don't want to hear about it for a month. Yeah he was a good performer in his day, but I can't honestly say he did anything in the last 10 years that I could even put my finger on. One guy they interviewed was saying he was the best performer in history. Another said things would never be the same. Am disagreeing with the best performer...there is no best performer. Each age has them. In the 1980's his videos and music were ground breaking..but the industry has changed now. Heck MTV doesnt show very many videos anymore...they ought to change the name to RTV...they show more reality shows than anything else. Any who wants to watch washed up music stars try to find love anyway. Todays music industry WOULD NOT allow someone like MJ to ever get where he was...to much corporate control and cookie cutter logic. Things won't be the same. So many folks who are on the radio just don't have talent. And don't forget...I am a musician so you without talent...you don't fool me. You have a gimmic. Kids now adays don't know music. What is passed to them in a lot of cases has no soul...ten years from now most of the big groups will be nothing....songs will be forgotten. But at least in the past it was music with melody...todays stuff is so beatbox. I am just not looking forward to most of what will come out of my radio.
Sorry MJ...you were good in your day..but RIP and lets move on with life.
In case your intersted...I listen to more folk and Christian music nowadays, along with old stuff. I don't think my radio has moved off of talk radio in months.

PETA bugs me!

Ok, lets just say that I understand the PETA likes the current administration somewhat since they are very liberal, whacko and just plan out of touch with reality. There is a difference between someone who likes animals and someone who thinks that we should leave every living animal alone and eat tofu. The lastest with PETA and Pres. Obama is hillarious! The President was doing and interview and swatting and killed a fly..he was amazed he killed it. PETA says they didn't agree with that and know he's not perfect..so they will send him a fly catcher to catch and release them from now on. Wait a minute! If they want to catch and realease..what about the fleas my cats bring in? Is it wrong for me to put flea stuff on the cats to keep the fleas off of the cats? Don't the cats have rights? Is it wrong for my cats to scatch the fleas? I mean it's not like the fleas are going to protest..the cats do though. Every time I come looking for them with flea spray or for a bath they protest. So we ought to file a complaint with the national headquarters of fleas that they must stay off of my cats, since they have rights and don't wish to be bit, bathed or sprayed.
Like I said, there are whackos out there that don't understand. Animals, insects and such are just that...I treat them fairly and love mine dearly. Others I love also...right by the meat and potatoes! And I am not sharing my steak with a fly.

Kata Kata everywhere...

Am currently working on my newest kata for karate belt test....Bassai Dai. Very challenging....to say the least. This is the first Shotokan kata that does not start with a standing, stationary move..so to speak. You move dynamically and storm the oponent in the first move. It also picks up pieces of several other kata that I have already learned. You just have to remember you are not doing them..but a new kata. Anyhows...enjoy the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8I4Q-nNvAY
k

people .....

People are funny, strange and often quite confusing. In 15 minutes today the SAME person made me want to laugh, cry and slap the crap out of them. I don't think I am being moody...but it drives me crazy.
I honestly want to go hide sometimes. Some folks ask you the same question three ways to get you to slip up and have some thing you said to use against you. Alterior motives just puzzle me...since I generally don't play games.

"Lord give me the strength to make it through the day and not lose my cool."