Sunday, January 17, 2010

Is this thing on?

As of right now, I feel like I am stepping up to the mic to introduce myself to the world. "Hi, my name is Brett Young and I will be auditioning for the part of..."
Actually, what will I be auditioning for? There are so many amazing blogs, websites, and fan pages all dedicated to many of my hobbies, interests, and my field of work. Which leaves me to beg the question, "what do I have to offer, on a blog, pertaining to certain topics that have already been covered by so many amazing people that I already know?" Disney blogs? Already out there and there are some incredible people contributing to them. Running blogs? Again, done by so many that have way more experience than I will ever have. Teaching blogs? Well, that's a given since the "pro" teachers are already doing it. Educational Technology blogs? PLEASE! Why am I even bothering to type this? sigh....

I decided to Start? Continue? Attempt? Succeed? in trying to create a brand new blog for myself. I have had a few in the past but gave them up. Why? laziness, duh! Do you know how hard it was to find a web address for this thing? That almost made me give up blogging right there. When I went to check some of the ones that already had my name taken, they hadn't updated their blog since 2004 or earlier. I was mad that they hadn't updated their blog and had taken my name, but then I realized that I had now taken the name of www.mrbrettyoung.blogspot.com so a number of years from now when another "Brett Young" starts hunting for names for his blog, he may see this one still in service and be happy that it is being used or mad because it's gone. So, to the future MrBrettYoung, if you are reading this, "HA HA, beat you to it! Go find another name to call your blog!"

I guess this "second wind" to start blogging all started with viewing (and enjoying) a lot of really amazing blogs from my "tweeps" on Twitter. Ahhhh Twitter! Where have you been all my life? Are you on Twitter? You should be. I used to be the "Anti-Twitter" guy but then I was converted. Great story to tell you sometime.

I guess Twitter could be something that I could look at on my blog.

Oh, I am a teacher. I love my job. I teach grade 9 English Language Arts and grade 11 Media Studies. I have some really amazing resources that I have been using over the last few years. I am six years into teaching and am at that point where I am comfortable with the job and am starting to take a few risks; especially when it comes to my philosophy on education. Is our educational world changing. Yep!

I guess I could talk about my experiences in the classroom and some of the amazing things we are doing in the realm of education here in our school division. Plus, I can share what I believe about education and where I see us heading. Again, my opinion, but I can share it, right? Isn't that what a blog is for?

As for the running, I have now been running in half marathons and full marathons for the last two years. I actually just started "learning" the sport of running two years ago. Before that I was a couch potato and wanted nothing to do with physical activity. I was the guy in high school that would fake an ankle injury to get out of running laps. As an adult, I was the guy that would look at people exercising and promise myself that I would start tomorrow, as I gulped down my huge chocolate milk shake at 11:00 at night. Now, I am 85 pounds lighter, have run two 10K races, 5 half marathons, 2 full marathons and have just signed up to run two half marathons (so far this year), one full marathon (in September 2010) and just this week, signed up to run in the Walt Disney World Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge in January of 2011. That's where you run a half marathon on one day and a full marathon the next day. To me, that sounds like fun. To others, they look at me as if I was crazy. I know that the guy I used to be, two years ago, would think I was crazy. However, I never let that guy eat or lay on the couch, so he is mad all the time.

I guess I could talk about my running experience and the path I am on to January 2011. Plus, I can talk about how I used to think that physical activity was not important and then found out how important it actually was. Also, I could tell you the story of how I started down this path. It's a great story....maybe I could share that.

Maybe this blogging thing won't be as bad as I thought.

I guess we will see. So, if you are into Disney, Running, Fitness, Education, Technology, maybe you might enjoy reading this blog from time to time. I refuse to say that I will update this every single day. I think that is why I gave up the other ones. So, from time to time (once or twice a week) keep a weathered eye open for a new post. You never know what might pop up.

Have a good one!

p.s. Did I get the part?

7 comments:

  1. Welcome to the blogging world Brett!!!! I am excited to hear about your running journey!!!

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  2. Wow! I felt like I was reading my own blog . . . disney, running, education, technology, blogging and then not and then blogging more. We're already connected on twitter, but I'll add your blog to my google reader so I'll get the updates. My blog is http://blog.bistan.net if you want to check it out.

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  3. Way to go Brett. While twitter definitely has its merits, this is the space where you can "air it out". Don't be afraid to blog on all three things. One tip might be to set up clear categories early, that way folks can subscribe to all your stuff or just your Disney or running or education. But either way, nicely done. Reflection and learning is the goal.

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  4. Great start! I can't wait to read more. Teachers need to take control of their own stories. I loved reading about your inspiring conversion to running, too!

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  5. Talk about nailing an audition!

    The part is yours, Brett, so sing on out!

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  6. The world needs your blog, Brett. Your students need your blog, even if they don't read it for 10 years. It will be fun for them to look back when they're doing a research project in college and they come across something you said while they were in your class.

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