Could you take an email sabbatical?

I like danah's advice on how to actually take an email sabbatical. See: How To Take An Email Sabbatical - by danah boyd. However, I've never been able to do it completely. Even when I'm on vacation, I still check in for my email on a daily (usually more than once a day) basis.

And, having email on my mobile phone makes it so much easier to check email now! And, it makes it easier to get rid of junk email very quickly.

I suspect that my various projects would go on even if I didn't check in and respond to email queries, issues, etc. However, I don't know if they would proceed as smoothly if I didn't do this.

I hope to one day be able to do what danah suggests and take an email sabbatical. What about those of you who are tethered to your technological devices, could you take an email sabbatical? Or, for younger generations, a texting sabbatical?

2 Month Gap?

I didn't realize it had been almost 2 months since I did a blog posting.Wow, the time flies by so fast it seems. A few things that have occurred during the past 2 months:

• I had a large NIH grant proposal due the end of May that CONSUMED a huge portion of my time preparing it. I was pushing really, really hard the whole month of May on it. In fact, I was working so hard that I wasn't resting enough, nor taking good care of myself. I ended up with 2 bouts of strep throat in May! Thankfully the grant made the submission date, thanks to great help from wonderful grad students and others invovled in the project.
• For my NSF ICAC project, we were out surveying students everyday for over a week. It was gruelling but worth the effort.
• We went to Atlantic Beach for a week in May. Our dear friends from Maryland the McElroys joined us for part of it. Di and I had a day at the spa, which was glorious, and some girl time to hang out and talk! Callen loved playing with their dog Star. My friend Marieke and her family joined me and Callen for the last couple of days there, after Bo had flown home. Callen had a blast learning to ride the waves with Sabina. She was fearless! Although I had to work on various things while we were there, it was still nice to get away and feel the ocean!
• June started out hectic too. I had a large annual report due for my NSF ICAC project towards the end of the month. All the survey data had to be entered, cleaned, and analyzed so we could include part of it in the annual report. The annual report takes so much time! It was finally submitted the Friday before I flew to DC for a grant panel at NSF.
• The grant panel at NSF was another thing that made June even more frenetic. Remind me to never agree to be on a panel that occurs around the same time I have a grant annual report due!
• Callen continues to enjoy the last few weeks at her preschool. She's excited about starting kindergarten in the fall and at times wishes it would start sooner (but recognizes she will miss her preschool friends next year as they will go to various other schools).
• Callen started taking gymnastics in June at a local gymnastics academy. She enjoys it a lot but it is hard work.
• One of the most discouraging things that happened in June is that Jefferson County laid off over 500 people, including Bo. The county commissioners are not effective leaders and have no vision at all. The one in charge of his dept. eliminated 2/3 of the employees; you don't need a deputy director when you have so few employees remaining. Bo has been making calls and applying for various things, but there are not a lot of openings in his areas at this time. And, I'm sure none will pay even close to what he was making.
• The last item has led us to really start thinking about ways to not spend money. We hope that Bo will find another position soon.

This was a few of the main things that have happened in our lives the past 2 months. Hopefully it won't be so long before another posting.
Happy 4th of July!

A powerful story of first-hand experience with the tornado

UA student tells his story of going through the tornado. Very powerful story!

Alabama Tornado Relief List

For those who are wondering how they can help those in need in AL, here is a link to a list that was compiled that has a variety of ways that people can help. There are so many people in need. The devastation is incredible.

Alabama Tornado Relief List

Thanks for any support that you can provide!

Tornadoes kill over 200 - The Big Picture - Boston.com

Tornadoes kill over 200 - The Big Picture - Boston.com

Even more pictures of the devastation from the tornadoes here in AL. So very sad!

Amazing pix of destruction from storms in Alabama

Some of the most amazing pictures from the devastation in Alabama from the tornadoes!

The Atlantic - pix from the destruction in Alabama

So very thankful today! We only lost power for 15 or so hours and had a tree and some big limbs down in our yard. Very fortunate compared to the horrible devastation in other parts of Alabama!

My Little Reader

For the first time tonite, Callen read a whole book by herself! We only helped her with a few of the words. I am so proud of her! Here's a picture of the book - Pizza for Sam.