Hello, my name is Mr. Malley

So, the iPhone will officially go on sale at 6:00 this Friday, and already there are people waiting outside the Apple store to buy one.

Then, just a minute ago, I checked Digg one last time before bed, and learned that the first iPhones have reached U.S. soil.

Crazy part:

“Awaiting the freight at each location on Sunday were armored personnel, who were reportedly hired by Apple through its courier’s ground handling agent and then cleared by the Transportation Security Administration. Armed guards are extremely unusual for freight coming out of the Asian sector, those familiar with the matter explained, and are typically reserved for shipments containing riches such as gold and diamonds.”

I know. Who cares, right?

Check out this guy’s response to the above article’s ascension in the ranks of Digg popularity:

Upcoming headlines for the front page:

“iPhone shipments leave shipping dock”
“iPhone shipments on their way to Apple stores”
“iPhone shipments to arrive at Apple stores ‘any minute now’.
“iPhone shipments delayed”
“iPhone delays due to shipper stubbing toe”
“In depth interview with toe stubbing iPhone shipper”
“iPhone finally arrives at Apple Stores”
“Employees bring cases of iPhones into Apple stores”
“Employees unpack cases of iPhones at Apple stores”
“Employees put iPhone’s on shelves, close store”
“Employees of Apple stores, after stocking shelves with iPhones, have smoke break”
“Manager of New York Apple store takes dump before store opening (w/pics)”
“Apple store employees complain about odd smell in NY Apple store”
“Jobs declares, ‘Smell was manager, not iPhone.’ Manager fired.”…

Hilarious and appropriate if you ask me.

I just watched all 20 minutes of Apple’s newly released iPhone tutorial. I want one. That’s all I have to say about that.

I have been pretty busy working on other stuff this summer, so haven’t posted in a while. Therefore, I find it only fitting to leave you with some nonsense.

To start off, watch this clip from Jeopardy:

Doesn’t seem that funny until you watch this clip from the Family Guy:

Ah Jeopardy.

So, this article in the New York Times caught my attention today, making me think that I should mention my recent exploits on the social networking site Facebook. Sometime in September, I think it was, a former student sent me a link asking me to join, so I did. And, the account sat there, empty. Then, in October, I was standing in a wedding when I received a text message from Facebook saying that “Matt has just poked you. Would you like to poke him back?” Since Matt was a high school sophomore, and I had no idea what “pokng” was, I decided to ignore his poke lest I be arrested.

Well, this past Sunday, I thought I would use some of my free time to see what the social networking thing was all about. My friends and I have kept in touch using LiveJournal for the past two to three years, but it’s really not the same experience. I figure that I should at least know what my students are up to.

Here’s a short list of what I like (since apparently, lists are what blogs are for):

1. The recent inclusion of Facebook applications that can be incorporated from third-party developers is a brilliant idea. There is a section of the site where you can “install” these apps to your profile. For example, some of my students have an app called iLike that lists their favorite music that can be played by others when they visit their site. Way cooler than mixed tapes.
2. When I log in, I see a heads-up display of everything that has “happened” since my last login. Who’s friends with who? What’s going on? It’s all so shallow, yet so addicting!
3. The structure of the environment is pretty cool. Users are organized into networks according to where they work or go to school (I tried joining my high school network - apparently, I’m too old!). Then, all users can make “friends” and join “groups.” Privacy settings restrict and allow users to give access to their profile visitors according to how “private” they wants to be.
4. Images can be smart-tagged according to who is in the picture. If someone uploads a picture of me and tags my face with my name, the picture will show up in my profile. And!, when you hover over the people in the images, it shows each person’s smart tag. Oh, no limit to the number of images you upload. Albums are supported. And, there is an iPhoto plugin. By far the most practical aspect of the software.

In the end:

• Facebook is a great way to keep in touch with people. So many kids go off to college; with a site like this, I bet a lot more of them keep in contact longer.
• It’s a little too silly for my full attention. In the New York Times article I mention above, a spokesperson at Facebook said that since the demographic on Facebook is getting older, they will be looking at adding applications that a more mature participant would want to see. (I’m thinking that news and current events would be nice.) We’ll see if this happens.
• I like it, but realize that, as is the case in real life, social networking online takes work! For example, since Sunday, twelve of my past students have asked me to be their friend. Do I tell them, “No, I’m your teacher; not your friend!” How lame would that be? Join a social networking site designed for the younger generation and refuse be social on the basis that I shouldn’t be on it?!? And, what if someone asks to be my friend who I really don’t want to be friends with? Am I free from my teacher responsibilities to like everyone I teach when I’m on Facebook? Or, do I have to stay just as neutral and befriend them all? Oh, the stress!

Longest. Post. Ever.

This is worth watching in the same sense that a train wreck is worth watching. Painful. Intriguing. More painful than intriguing!

Just watch the clip!

I can only imagine that being a superintendent of schools is a busy, low-rewards sort of job, in which one is constantly having to answer phones, shake hands, and attend meetings. But, busy enough to take a graduation speech from About.com? Never.

Read it here, folks!

Apparently, an Illinois high school forced students and parents to sign contracts stating that they would act “dignified” before going to this year’s commencement ceremony. Violators were warned ahead of time that anything inappropriate would result in a denial of diploma.

Caisha Gayles graduated with honors last month, but she is still waiting for her diploma. The reason: the whoops of joy from the audience as she crossed the stage.

Now, I have to admit that some families can be a bit over zealous in celebrating their child’s graduation from high school, but why not? Their “baby” just graduated high school! I think this is one of those things that the administrators are going to regret. Bad national press isn’t exactly a good way to end a year.

Source: Associated Press article printed on cnn.com