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	<title>theroades.com</title>
	
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	<description>keeping up with life, kids, and technology</description>
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		<title>Rube Goldberg would be PROUD! [video]</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/theroades/~3/6mPKBvj4EwM/rube-goldberg-would-be-proud-video</link>
		<comments>http://www.theroades.com/2010/03/rube-goldberg-would-be-proud-video#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:43:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Adam</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[funny]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[video]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theroades.com/?p=815</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The guys from OK Go have done it again, combining a great pop tune with a video that I&#8217;m sure you&#8217;ll watch more than once. This video for their song &#8220;This Too Shall Pass&#8221; is an homage to one of my favorite childhood hobbies of creating crazy &#8220;Rube Goldberg&#8221; machines (though at least they arguably [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The guys from OK Go have done it again, combining a great pop tune with a video that I&#8217;m sure you&#8217;ll watch more than once. This video for their song &#8220;This Too Shall Pass&#8221; is an homage to one of my favorite childhood hobbies of creating crazy <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rube_Goldberg_machine">&#8220;Rube Goldberg&#8221; machines</a> (though at least they arguably <em>did</em> something, whereas this beautiful creation simply  exists to exist!).</p>
<p>Lest you get caught up in the marvel of their incredibly intricate production (and when you see the ending, ponder how many takes they endured&#8230;), I&#8217;ve included the lyrics below, which are also worth reading.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.theroades.com/2010/03/rube-goldberg-would-be-proud-video"><em>Click here to view the embedded video.</em></a></p>
<p><strong>Lyrics:</strong></p>
<p>You know you can&#8217;t keep letting it get you down<br />
And you can&#8217;t keep dragging that dead weight around<br />
Is it really all that much to lug around<br />
Better run like he** when you hit the ground</p>
<p>When the morning comes&#8230;</p>
<p>Can&#8217;t stop those kids from dancing but why would you want to?<br />
Especially when you are already getting good<br />
&#8216;Cause when your mind don&#8217;t move then your knees don&#8217;t bend<br />
But don&#8217;t go blaming the kids again</p>
<p>When the morning comes&#8230;</p>
<p>Let it go, This too shall pass<br />
Let it go, This too shall pass</p>
<p>You know you can&#8217;t keep letting it get you down,<br />
No you can&#8217;t keep letting it get you down<br />
Oh is it really all that much to lug around,<br />
And you can&#8217;t keep letting it get you down</p>
<p>When the morning comes<br />
(Oh you can&#8217;t keep letting it get you down,<br />
No you can&#8217;t keep letting it get you down)</p>
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		<item>
		<title>What I’ve been reading [links]</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/theroades/~3/1PBb-LM9Rmw/what-ive-been-reading-links-3</link>
		<comments>http://www.theroades.com/2010/02/what-ive-been-reading-links-3#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:01:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Adam</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[family]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theroades.com/?p=811</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[This week&#8217;s selection includes another list of iPhone/iPod Touch apps for kids, an article demonstrating the Bloom Box which is promising to revolutionize the energy industry (but will it deliver?), and a fascinating oil painting &#8230; or is it?
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>This week&#8217;s selection includes another list of <strong>iPhone/iPod Touch apps</strong> for kids, an article demonstrating the <strong>Bloom Box</strong> which is promising to revolutionize the energy industry (but will it deliver?), and a <strong>fascinating oil painting</strong> &#8230; or is it?</p>
<ul class="gReader-list"><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-1"><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ikiw/~3/K30uemTucBI/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">Tools Become Important When They Are Technologically “Boring”</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://www.ikiw.org"   title="source blog">Future Changes</a></div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-2"><a href="http://blog.ogilvypr.com/2010/02/empowering-communicators-via-a-social-media-policy/#" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">Empowering Communicators Via A Social Media Policy</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://blog.ogilvypr.com/"   title="source blog">blog.ogilvypr.com</a></div><div class="gReader-notes">A fantastic approach to social media engagement by the Ogilvy PR company.</div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-3"><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/fastforwardblog/SYEL/~3/h9VthxXLkiY/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">Org Charts in an E2.0 Context ?</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://www.fastforwardblog.com"   title="source blog">The FASTForward Blog</a></div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-4"><a href="http://a.wholelottanothing.org/2010/02/my-recommended-kid-games.html" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">A Whole Lotta Nothing: My recommended kid games</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://a.wholelottanothing.org/"   title="source blog">a.wholelottanothing.org</a></div><div class="gReader-notes">Another selective list of iPhone/iPod Touch apps suitable for kids.</div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-5"><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Mashable/~3/ai4YG-B6FF0/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">Bloom Box: Bloom Energy Powers Your Whole House with a Box [VIDEO]</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://mashable.com"   title="source blog">Mashable!</a></div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-6"><a href="http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/gSoDS8CP2Hk/betterme-helps-you-give-and-receive-honest-feedback-without-the-awkwardness" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">BetterMe Helps You Give and Receive Honest Feedback Without the Awkwardness [Advice]</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://lifehacker.com"   title="source blog">Lifehacker</a></div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-7"><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Mashable/~3/ivkYSxp2k3w/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">Twitter Perceptions of Google Buzz Over Time [INFOGRAPHIC]</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://mashable.com"   title="source blog">Mashable!</a></div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-8"><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DilbertDailyStrip/~3/PfTTDfxArzY/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">Comic for February 22, 2010</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://dilbert.com/"   title="source blog">Dilbert Daily Strip</a></div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-9"><a href="http://www.labnol.org/internet/woman-painting-or-photograph/12801/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">Oil Painting or Real Photograph?</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://www.labnol.org"   title="source blog">Digital Inspiration Technology Blog</a></div></li><li class="grCredit"><small>Plugin by <a href="http://www.cmurrayconsulting.com/software/google-reader-shared-wordpress/" title="Expert WordPress Developers" >C. Murray Consulting</a></small></li></ul>
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		<item>
		<title>Coming straight out of my Google Reader… [links]</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/theroades/~3/F07Fp0SHjyI/coming-straight-out-of-my-google-reader-links</link>
		<comments>http://www.theroades.com/2010/02/coming-straight-out-of-my-google-reader-links#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 21 Feb 2010 00:00:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Adam</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[links]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theroades.com/?p=800</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[My last &#8220;reading&#8221; post failed to publish (apparently), so this is a double-dose of reading from across the Internet that I&#8217;ve found interesting.
This included a new social networking site for kids, the Olympics and social networking, and brushing up on fashion sense, and questionable choices in tattoos and location-aware technologies.
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>My last &#8220;reading&#8221; post failed to publish (apparently), so this is a double-dose of reading from across the Internet that I&#8217;ve found interesting.</p>
<p>This included a new social networking site for <strong>kids</strong>, the <strong>Olympics </strong>and social networking, and brushing up on <strong>fashion</strong> sense, and questionable choices in <strong>tattoos</strong> and <strong>location-aware</strong> technologies.</p>
<ul class="gReader-list"><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-1"><a href="http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2010/02/vancouvers_twitter_lesson.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+harvardbusiness+%28HBR.org%29&utm_content=Google+Reader#" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">Vancouver&#39;s Twitter Lesson - The Conversation - Harvard Business Review</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://blogs.hbr.org/"   title="source blog">blogs.hbr.org</a></div><div class="gReader-notes">While the Guardian is claiming the Vancouver games are the "worst ever," it could just be that for the first time, more people are able to gripe publicly and the public is able to see the aggregated gripes.</div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-2"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/GxzeV.jpg" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">GxzeV.jpg</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://i.imgur.com/"   title="source blog">i.imgur.com</a></div><div class="gReader-notes">This is either sad or funny, but it's 100% truthful.</div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-3"><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ikiw/~3/edO9MlnlzmA/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">IOC Blogging Guidelines Recognize Value of Athletes’ Own Voices</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://www.ikiw.org"   title="source blog">Future Changes</a></div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-4"><a href="http://thefatherlife.com/mag/2010/02/19/lego-reinvents-game-night/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">LEGO Reinvents Game Night</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://thefatherlife.com/mag"   title="source blog">THE FATHER LIFE</a></div><div class="gReader-notes">Some fun-sounding new games from Lego! (as if they needed to get any better...)</div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-5"><a href="http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2009/12/how-to-find-anything-online-become-an-internet-research-expert/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">How to Find Anything Online: Become an Internet Research Expert | Webdesigner Depot</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/"   title="source blog">www.webdesignerdepot.com</a></div><div class="gReader-notes">A well-written post on Internet research that is useful even for veterans of the web.</div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-6"><a href="http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9159278/Pa._school_district_denies_spying_on_students_with_MacBooks?taxonomyId=17" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">Pa. school district denies spying on students with MacBooks</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://www.computerworld.com/"   title="source blog">www.computerworld.com</a></div><div class="gReader-notes">Unbelievable (alleged) invasion of privacy. The Lower Merion School District of Ardmore, PA issues MacBooks to its students, then spies on them by remotely activating the webcam. Supposedly, the kids were aware of this "security feature" and many had resorted to covering up the camera.</div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-7"><a href="http://lifehacker.com/5472223/which-social-network-is-right-for-you?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+lifehacker%2Ffull+%28Lifehacker%29" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">Which Social Network Is Right For You? - Social Networks - Lifehacker</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://lifehacker.com/"   title="source blog">lifehacker.com</a></div><div class="gReader-notes">A nice analysis of three of the big social networks: Facebook, Twitter, and Buzz. Includes a chart comparing the major differences.</div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-8"><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/readwriteweb/~3/65ojWj2TI0M/facechipz_internet_of_things_meets_social_networking.php" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">FaceChipz: Internet of Things Meets Social Networking</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://www.readwriteweb.com/"   title="source blog">ReadWriteWeb</a></div><div class="gReader-notes">From a kids' security perspective, I like this idea. What I don't like is the $$$ parents are going to need to shell out. And unlike Webkinz where you get a nice stuffed toy, all kids are left with here are plastic tokens. If they come up with a creative way kids can re-purpose those tokens, this could be really cool (I don't have any ideas). Also, there is no bulk discount for multi-packs ($5/5, $10/10, etc.) and no way of conveniently carrying these around - you know, so you can pass them out to your friends?</div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-9"><a href="http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/newbie-fashion-tips-for-grown-up-men.html#" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">Newbie Fashion Tips for Grown-Up Men - Stepcase Lifehack</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://www.lifehack.org/"   title="source blog">www.lifehack.org</a></div><div class="gReader-notes">Good tips for guys who no longer remember (or never learned) proper fashion etiquette!</div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-10"><a href="http://thefatherlife.com/mag/2010/02/18/a-dads-point-of-view-raising-kids-takes-a-lot-of-luck/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">[A DAD'S POINT-OF-VIEW] Raising Kids Takes a Lot of Luck</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://thefatherlife.com/mag"   title="source blog">THE FATHER LIFE</a></div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-11"><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/readwriteweb/~3/sTTYRF2VlLA/pleaserobme_and_the_dangers_of_location-aware_social_networks.php" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">PleaseRobMe and the Dangers of Location-Based Social Networks</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://www.readwriteweb.com/"   title="source blog">ReadWriteWeb</a></div></li><li class="grCredit"><small>Plugin by <a href="http://www.cmurrayconsulting.com/software/google-reader-shared-wordpress/" title="Expert WordPress Developers" >C. Murray Consulting</a></small></li></ul>
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		<item>
		<title>In case you missed it [tech stuff]</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/theroades/~3/cwqUd7heDXc/in-case-you-missed-it-tech-stuff</link>
		<comments>http://www.theroades.com/2010/02/in-case-you-missed-it-tech-stuff#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 20 Feb 2010 02:13:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Adam</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[links]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[technology]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theroades.com/?p=807</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[For those who don&#8217;t follow my tech musings at mrmerlot.com, here&#8217;s some of my recent posts I&#8217;ve written over there:

Cleaning up your Friends and Fans in Facebook [tutorial]
Firefox 3.5 Cheat Sheet [tech help]
Facebook “privacy” settings [tutorial]
Apple’s iPad is “not the tablet I’ve been looking for”
Alex Ohanian of Reddit fame speaks on how to use social [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>For those who don&#8217;t follow my tech musings at mrmerlot.com, here&#8217;s some of my recent posts I&#8217;ve written over there:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.mrmerlot.com/?p=550">Cleaning up your Friends and Fans in Facebook [tutorial]</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.mrmerlot.com/?p=546">Firefox 3.5 Cheat Sheet [tech help]</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.mrmerlot.com/?p=457">Facebook “privacy” settings [tutorial]</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.mrmerlot.com/?p=451">Apple’s iPad is “not the tablet I’ve been looking for”</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.mrmerlot.com/?p=443">Alex Ohanian of Reddit fame speaks on how to use social media effectively</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.mrmerlot.com/?p=434">A memory-catching pensieve for Muggles</a></li>
</ul>
<p>While you&#8217;re over there, why don&#8217;t you subscribe to that blog, too? <img src='http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' />  Happy reading and <strong>I love to read your comments</strong>!</p>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow: hidden;">
<h2 class="storytitle"><a rel="bookmark" href="http://www.mrmerlot.com/?p=550">Cleaning up your Friends and Fans in Facebook [tutorial]</a></h2>
</div>
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		<item>
		<title>20 great iPhone apps for preschoolers [e-parenting]</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/theroades/~3/34S_MMvRtZA/20-great-iphone-apps-for-preschoolers-e-parenting</link>
		<comments>http://www.theroades.com/2010/02/20-great-iphone-apps-for-preschoolers-e-parenting#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:42:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Adam</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[parenting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[technology]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theroades.com/?p=743</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I love my iPod Touch and on more than one occasion, it&#8217;s been a fantastic sanity-saver by occupying one or more of the kids. Now, I&#8217;m not advocating for &#8220;digital distractions&#8221; (well, not on a regular basis anyway), but many of the apps offer genuine educational value.
In an upcoming post, I&#8217;ll review the kid-friendly podcasts [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I love my iPod Touch and on more than one occasion, it&#8217;s been a fantastic sanity-saver by <strong>occupying one or more of the kids</strong>. Now, I&#8217;m not advocating for &#8220;digital distractions&#8221; (well, not on a regular basis anyway), but many of the apps offer <strong>genuine educational value</strong>.</p>
<p>In an upcoming post, I&#8217;ll review the kid-friendly podcasts that I make sure to have loaded on my iPod for road trips and unexpected shopping wait times.</p>
<p><em>Note: Prices on Apple&#8217;s non-free apps tend to change frequently. The cost I included is as of the writing of this post.</em></p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/balloonimals/id307459878?mt=8&amp;uo=6" target="itunes_store"><img title="balloonimals" src="http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/balloonimals.png" alt="" width="100" height="100" /></a></td>
<td><strong>Balloonimals</strong><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Cost: $1.99</strong><br />
This simple but addictive game involves selected a balloon, inflating it (with a slide on the Touch or blowing on the microphone on the iPhone), shaking it to twist it into an animal shape (you&#8217;ll really have to trust your kid not to let it go flying), then using various sliding gestures to make it do hilarious things. ALL of the kids continue to play this on a regular basis.</p>
<p><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/balloonimals/id307459878?mt=8&amp;uo=6"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-756" title="Download_on_iTunes" src="http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Download_on_iTunes.gif" alt="" width="110" height="40" /></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/checkers-free/id294664915?mt=8&amp;uo=6" target="itunes_store"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-766" title="checkers" src="http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/checkers.png" alt="" width="100" height="100" /></a></td>
<td><strong>Checkers Free</strong></p>
<p><strong>Cost: Free<br />
</strong></p>
<p>What can I say? It&#8217;s a cool, free checkers game. &#8216;Nuff said!</p>
<p><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/checkers-free/id294664915?mt=8&amp;uo=6" target="itunes_store"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-756" title="Download_on_iTunes" src="http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Download_on_iTunes.gif" alt="" width="110" height="40" /></a></td>
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<td><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dots-free/id296312126?mt=8&amp;uo=6" target="itunes_store"><img title="balloonimals" src="http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/dots-free.png" alt="" width="100" height="100" /></a></td>
<td><strong>Dots Free</strong><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Cost: Free</strong></p>
<p>This is a digital version of the paper-and-pencil dots game I grew up playing on restaurant placemats. This is probably better for older kids, though adults (like me) may find it nostalgic.<strong><br />
</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dots-free/id296312126?mt=8&amp;uo=6" target="itunes_store"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-756" title="Download_on_iTunes" src="http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Download_on_iTunes.gif" alt="" width="110" height="40" /></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fling/id325815008?mt=8&amp;uo=6" target="itunes_store"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-767" title="fling" src="http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/fling.png" alt="" width="100" height="100" /></a></td>
<td><strong>Fling</strong></p>
<p><strong>Cost: .99</strong></p>
<p>This an <em>addictive</em> game that is suitable for kids and adults. My oldest (aged 6 years) started playing with the free version and got pretty good at the puzzles up to level 3 or so. That&#8217;s when I picked it up, conquered the remaining levels in the free version, and promptly downloaded the free version.<br />
<a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fling/id325815008?mt=8&amp;uo=6" target="itunes_store"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-756" title="Download_on_iTunes" src="http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Download_on_iTunes.gif" alt="" width="110" height="40" /></a></td>
</tr>
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<td><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fluid-motion-painter/id322869320?mt=8&amp;uo=6" target="itunes_store"><img title="balloonimals" src="http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/fluid-motion-painter.jpg" alt="" width="100" height="100" /></a></td>
<td><strong>Fluid Motion Painter</strong><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Cost: .99</strong><br />
This finger-painting app has an almost hypnotic quality to it. While not specifically designed for kids, I regularly find them playing with this, tweaking the settings to produce &#8220;artwork&#8221; similar to digital spin art.</p>
<p><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fluid-motion-painter/id322869320?mt=8&amp;uo=6" target="itunes_store"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-756" title="Download_on_iTunes" src="http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Download_on_iTunes.gif" alt="" width="110" height="40" /></a></td>
</tr>
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<td><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/four-in-a-row-free/id292882605?mt=8&amp;uo=6" target="itunes_store"><img title="balloonimals" src="http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/fourinarow.png" alt="" /></a></td>
<td><strong>Four in a Row </strong></p>
<p><strong>Cost: Free</strong></p>
<p>Another game that doesn&#8217;t need much explanation. Remember Connect Four? This is that game&#8230;just on a touchscreen.<br />
<a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/four-in-a-row-free/id292882605?mt=8&amp;uo=6" target="itunes_store"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-756" title="Download_on_iTunes" src="http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Download_on_iTunes.gif" alt="" width="110" height="40" /></a></td>
</tr>
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<td><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/google-earth/id293622097?mt=8&amp;uo=6" target="itunes_store"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-768" title="googleearth" src="http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/googleearth.png" alt="" width="100" height="100" /></a></td>
<td><strong>Google Earth</strong></p>
<p><strong>Cost: Free<br />
</strong></p>
<p>This free app is amazing. While  this isn&#8217;t a game nor an app for kids specifically, it regularly comes it useful for showing the kids geography in a way they can visually understand. <em>(Note: requires an Internet connection.)</em></p>
<p><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/google-earth/id293622097?mt=8&amp;uo=6" target="itunes_store"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-756" title="Download_on_iTunes" src="http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Download_on_iTunes.gif" alt="" width="110" height="40" /></a></td>
</tr>
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<td><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/i-hear-ewe-animal-sounds-for/id304093970?mt=8&amp;uo=6" target="itunes_store"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-769" title="ihearewe" src="http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/ihearewe.png" alt="" width="100" height="100" /></a></td>
<td><strong>I Hear Ewe</strong></p>
<p><strong>Cost: Free<br />
</strong></p>
<p>This simple game shows two screens of cartoon animals that, when touched, tell you the sound that animal makes. Simple, but my younger ones regularly play this one.</p>
<p><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/i-hear-ewe-animal-sounds-for/id304093970?mt=8&amp;uo=6" target="itunes_store"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-756" title="Download_on_iTunes" src="http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Download_on_iTunes.gif" alt="" width="110" height="40" /></a></td>
</tr>
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<td><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/iwritewords-tracing-game/id307025309?mt=8&amp;uo=6" target="itunes_store"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-770" title="iwritewords" src="http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/iwritewords.png" alt="" width="100" height="100" /></a></td>
<td><strong>iWriteWords</strong></p>
<p><strong>Cost: $1.99</strong></p>
<p>A little critter helps the kids draw lowercase and uppercase letters as well as numbers. I was surprised the older kids liked this since they do more challenging writing assignments as part of their homeschooling. I was equally surprised that my 2-year-old could actually play the game. The free version is more limited, but is a great way to see if your kids like the game play.</p>
<p><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/iwritewords-tracing-game/id307025309?mt=8&amp;uo=6" target="itunes_store"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-756" title="Download_on_iTunes" src="http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Download_on_iTunes.gif" alt="" width="110" height="40" /></a></td>
</tr>
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<td><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/jumbline/id307356673?mt=8&amp;uo=6" target="itunes_store"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-771" title="jumbline" src="http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/jumbline.png" alt="" width="100" height="100" /></a></td>
<td><strong>Jumbline</strong></p>
<p><strong>Cost: .99</strong></p>
<p>This is a word-jumble game for adults and is addictive for word-game nuts (like me and my wife)! However, I include it here because I&#8217;ve set it to 5-letter puzzles with &#8220;infinity&#8221; time limit and my oldest has fun with it, even if she can&#8217;t solve many of the puzzles.</p>
<p><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/jumbline/id307356673?mt=8&amp;uo=6" target="itunes_store"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-756" title="Download_on_iTunes" src="http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Download_on_iTunes.gif" alt="" width="110" height="40" /></a></td>
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<td><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id337944423?mt=8&amp;uo=6"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-771" title="jumbline" src="http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/kids-art-puzzle-sliding-slices.jpg" alt="" width="100" height="100" /></a></td>
<td><strong>Kids Art Puzzle &#8211; Sliding Slices</strong></p>
<p><strong>Cost: .99</strong></p>
<p>What do you get when you mix<strong> </strong>classical art with a basic puzzle? This fun game that exposes the kids to several iconic pieces of art.<strong> </strong>The settings allow you to set how many slices are used.</p>
<p><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id337944423?mt=8&amp;uo=6" target="itunes_store"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-756" title="Download_on_iTunes" src="http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Download_on_iTunes.gif" alt="" width="110" height="40" /></a></td>
</tr>
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<td><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/peekaboo-barn/id300590611?mt=8&amp;uo=6" target="itunes_store"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-772" title="peekaboobarn" src="http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/peekaboobarn.png" alt="" width="100" height="100" /></a></td>
<td><strong>Peekaboo Barn</strong></p>
<p><strong>Cost: .99</strong></p>
<p>One of the kids&#8217; absolute favorites. When the barn shakes, you touch it, it slides open to reveal a farm animal and the sound it makes. Repeat. Has a really cute ending, too! There is a free version, but really, just download the full version! If you really like this app, I suggest getting the sequel <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/peekaboo-wild/id335736484?mt=8&amp;uo=6" target="itunes_store">Peekaboo Wild</a>, which is currently $1.99.</p>
<p><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/peekaboo-barn/id300590611?mt=8&amp;uo=6" target="itunes_store"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-756" title="Download_on_iTunes" src="http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Download_on_iTunes.gif" alt="" width="110" height="40" /></a></td>
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<td><a href="http://ax.itunes.apple.com/us/app/kids-animal-game/id324033137?mt=8#" target="itunes_store"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-773" title="preschool animal find" src="http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/preschool-animal-find.jpg" alt="" width="100" height="100" /></a></td>
<td><strong>Preschool Animal Find</strong></p>
<p><strong>Cost: Free<br />
</strong></p>
<p>Like digital flashcards, this game asks &#8220;Where is the [animal]?&#8221; and provides decent feedback when the child touches a correct or incorrect choice from the four pictures shown. While the cartoon animals aren&#8217;t very realistic, it&#8217;s still a fun game.<br />
<a href="http://ax.itunes.apple.com/us/app/kids-animal-game/id324033137?mt=8#" target="itunes_store"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-756" title="Download_on_iTunes" src="http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Download_on_iTunes.gif" alt="" width="110" height="40" /></a></td>
</tr>
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<td><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/preschool-music/id312088252?mt=8&amp;uo=6" target="itunes_store"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-774" title="preschool music" src="http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/preschool-music.png" alt="" width="100" height="100" /></a></td>
<td><strong>Preschool Music</strong></p>
<p><strong>Cost: .99</strong></p>
<p>This cute app includes four music-oriented games. The kids like this a bit, though it doesn&#8217;t hold their attention for too terribly long.</p>
<p><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/preschool-music/id312088252?mt=8&amp;uo=6" target="itunes_store"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-756" title="Download_on_iTunes" src="http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Download_on_iTunes.gif" alt="" width="110" height="40" /></a></td>
</tr>
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<td><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sprout-player/id317098628?mt=8&amp;uo=6" target="itunes_store"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-775" title="sprout" src="http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/sprout.png" alt="" width="100" height="100" /></a></td>
<td><strong>Sprout Player</strong></p>
<p><strong>Cost: Free</strong></p>
<p>This is a video player for PBS Sprout Kids clips. My kids always clamor to play this one, so if you, like me, limit how much TV they watch, you might not want to introduce another thing to fight over! <img src='http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif' alt=';)' class='wp-smiley' />  I&#8217;m not sure how often they add new content, since the kids seem to have viewed all the clips at least once by this point. <em>(Note: requires an Internet connection.)</em></p>
<p><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sprout-player/id317098628?mt=8&amp;uo=6" target="itunes_store"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-756" title="Download_on_iTunes" src="http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Download_on_iTunes.gif" alt="" width="110" height="40" /></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id299495181?mt=8&amp;uo=6" target="itunes_store"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-757" title="tappytunes" src="http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/tappytunes.png" alt="" width="100" height="100" /></a></td>
<td><strong>TappyTunes </strong></p>
<p><strong>Cost: $1.99</strong></p>
<p>Select a tune from the catalog, then either tap it out (with adorable icons bouncing out) or simply hit the play button. The free version includes a very limited catalog, but will give you a sense of the app. The full version includes a very extensive library of songs.</p>
<p><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id299495181?mt=8&amp;uo=6" target="itunes_store"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-756" title="Download_on_iTunes" src="http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Download_on_iTunes.gif" alt="" width="110" height="40" /></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tic-tac-toe-free/id289278457?mt=8&amp;uo=6" target="itunes_store"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-776" title="tictactoe" src="http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/tictactoe.png" alt="" width="100" height="100" /></a></td>
<td><strong>Tic Tac Toe Free</strong></p>
<p><strong>Cost: Free<br />
</strong></p>
<p>Another &#8220;duh&#8221; app, though this one can be enjoyed by younger kids.</p>
<p><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tic-tac-toe-free/id289278457?mt=8&amp;uo=6" target="itunes_store"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-756" title="Download_on_iTunes" src="http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Download_on_iTunes.gif" alt="" width="110" height="40" /></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/toddler-jukebox-six-childrens/id335685471?mt=8&amp;uo=6" target="itunes_store"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-777" title="toddler jukebox" src="http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/toddler-jukebox.png" alt="" width="100" height="100" /></a></td>
<td><strong>Toddler Jukebox</strong></p>
<p><strong>Cost: $1.99</strong></p>
<p>The kids took awhile to warm up to this one, but now they all love it. Offering six full songs (Wheels on the Bus, Working on the Railroad, Head, Shoulders Knees &amp; Toes, Row Your Boat, BINGO, and Word by Word), there are no flashy visuals, just a simple acoustic recording that the kids sing along with.</p>
<p><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/toddler-jukebox-six-childrens/id335685471?mt=8&amp;uo=6" target="itunes_store"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-756" title="Download_on_iTunes" src="http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Download_on_iTunes.gif" alt="" width="110" height="40" /></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/topple/id293620666?mt=8&amp;uo=6" target="itunes_store"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-778" title="topple" src="http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/topple.png" alt="" width="100" height="100" /></a></td>
<td><strong>Topple</strong></p>
<p><strong>Cost: .99 </strong></p>
<p>Think of Tetris meets Jenga. As the squishy blocks fall, you place, twist, and rearrange them so the stack doesn&#8217;t <strong>topple</strong>! They&#8217;ve since come out with a couple of new versions, but I&#8217;m perfectly happy with the original.<br />
<a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/topple/id293620666?mt=8&amp;uo=6" target="itunes_store"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-756" title="Download_on_iTunes" src="http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Download_on_iTunes.gif" alt="" width="110" height="40" /></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wheels-on-the-bus/id303076295?mt=8&amp;uo=6" target="itunes_store"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-758" title="wheelsonthebus" src="http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/wheelsonthebus.png" alt="" width="100" height="100" /></a></td>
<td><strong>Wheels on the Bus </strong></p>
<p><strong>Cost: $2.99</strong></p>
<p>While this is most expensive app in this list, I&#8217;ve certainly gotten my money&#8217;s worth. Each verse in this song favorite has an interactive animated cartoon that makes singing along that much more fun!</p>
<p><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wheels-on-the-bus/id303076295?mt=8&amp;uo=6" target="itunes_store"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-756" title="Download_on_iTunes" src="http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Download_on_iTunes.gif" alt="" width="110" height="40" /></a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>What other apps have you found that are a must-have for kids? <strong>Let me know in the comments</strong>!</p>
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/theroades/~4/34S_MMvRtZA" height="1" width="1"/>]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>What I’ve been reading… [links]</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/theroades/~3/cyZl2yUof5o/what-ive-been-reading-links</link>
		<comments>http://www.theroades.com/2010/02/what-ive-been-reading-links#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:59:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Adam</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[links]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theroades.com/?p=745</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Some things I&#8217;ve read recently:
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Some things I&#8217;ve read recently:</p>
<ul class="gReader-list"><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-1"><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Mashable/~3/0R0K5jK4-88/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">Astronaut Tweets Beautiful Earth Images From Space</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://mashable.com"   title="source blog">Mashable!</a></div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-2"><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/failblog/~3/vaC8UIjouqA/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">Oh god!  An escalator crash!!</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://failblog.org"   title="source blog">FAIL Blog: Epic Fail Pictures and Videos of Owned, Pwnd and Fail Moments</a></div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-3"><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/failblog/~3/Ru4-W7g3UGE/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">Stone Sculpture Fail or Grotesques win?</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://failblog.org"   title="source blog">FAIL Blog: Epic Fail Pictures and Videos of Owned, Pwnd and Fail Moments</a></div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-4"><a href="http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/dx8T9Fo8r58/touchmouse-controls-your-computers-mouse-and-keyboard-via-iphone-or-ipod-touch" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">TouchMouse Controls Your Computer's Mouse and Keyboard via iPhone or iPod touch [Downloads]</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://lifehacker.com"   title="source blog">Lifehacker</a></div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-5"><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ikiw/~3/uY6kZXZN4F0/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">Digital Nation Explores What it Means to be Human in a New World</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://www.ikiw.org"   title="source blog">Future Changes</a></div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-6"><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/stuffchristianslikeblog/~3/FQxg5BF6XMU/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">The scared straight marriage speech.</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://stuffchristianslike.net"   title="source blog">Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff</a></div><div class="gReader-notes">Wow, I literally laughed out loud at most of these suggestions for married guys.</div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-7"><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/hightechdad/~3/TwuZvGg_N9Y/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">20+ Ways to Harden and Secure Your WordPress Blog</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://www.hightechdad.com"   title="source blog">HighTechDad Blog</a></div><div class="gReader-notes">An extensive list of security checks and settings for WordPress.</div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-8"><a href="http://www.makemymood.com/2010/01/31/old-school-hard-drive/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">Old School Hard Drive</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://www.makemymood.com"   title="source blog">Make My Mood</a></div></li><li class="grCredit"><small>Plugin by <a href="http://www.cmurrayconsulting.com/software/google-reader-shared-wordpress/" title="Expert WordPress Developers" >C. Murray Consulting</a></small></li></ul>
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/theroades/~4/cyZl2yUof5o" height="1" width="1"/>]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>Seeds Family Worship is “the awesomeness” [music]</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/theroades/~3/diU4-3LufH0/seeds-family-worship-is-the-awesomeness-music</link>
		<comments>http://www.theroades.com/2010/02/seeds-family-worship-is-the-awesomeness-music#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:18:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Adam</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[faith]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theroades.com/?p=736</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I recently came across Seeds Family Worship, a music group that creates catchy tunes intended to help kids learn Scripture. The songs immediately caught my attention, not only because of the quality of the melodies, but the uncomplicated lyrics taken directly from one or two verses.
The Seeds site itself is amazing in that you can [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/logo_hm.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-740" title="logo_hm" src="http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/logo_hm.jpg" alt="" width="191" height="191" /></a>I recently came across <a href="http://www.seedsfamilyworship.net/"><strong>Seeds Family Worship</strong></a>, a music group that creates catchy tunes intended to help kids learn Scripture. The songs immediately caught my attention, not only because of the quality of the melodies, but the uncomplicated lyrics taken directly from one or two verses.</p>
<p>The Seeds site itself is amazing in that you can <a href="http://www.seedsfamilyworship.net/media_listen.php">listen to every song</a> in its entirety and download <a href="http://www.seedsfamilyworship.net/lead_chords.html">the chord charts</a>. And, while you can order the CDs from the site, I intend to get the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0016JR8M2/ref=dm_dp_adp?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1265160870&amp;sr=8-1">mp3 files digitally from amazon</a>.</p>
<p>Below, I&#8217;ve embedded three videos they posted on YouTube that combine the awesome songs with <strong>engaging visuals</strong>. I hope to see more!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.theroades.com/2010/02/seeds-family-worship-is-the-awesomeness-music"><em>Click here to view the embedded video.</em></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.theroades.com/2010/02/seeds-family-worship-is-the-awesomeness-music"><em>Click here to view the embedded video.</em></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.theroades.com/2010/02/seeds-family-worship-is-the-awesomeness-music"><em>Click here to view the embedded video.</em></a></p>
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/theroades/~4/diU4-3LufH0" height="1" width="1"/>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Snow Day! [photos]</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/theroades/~3/DeaiXlICKn4/snow-day-photos</link>
		<comments>http://www.theroades.com/2010/02/snow-day-photos#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:22:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Adam</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[life stuff]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theroades.com/?p=734</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As we in the D.C. area ramp up for another onslaught of snow this coming weekend, I thought I&#8217;d post two photos from this past snowfall.
This one Rebecca took of the girls with their first real snowman&#8230;

This one is a professional photo from the White House web site&#8230;

]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>As we in the D.C. area ramp up for another <strong>onslaught of snow</strong> this coming weekend, I thought I&#8217;d post two photos from this past snowfall.</p>
<p>This one Rebecca took of the girls with their first real snowman&#8230;</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://www.roadesfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/R-and-Z-with-our-first-snowman.jpg" alt="" width="349" height="466" /></p>
<p>This one is a professional photo from the White House web site&#8230;</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/imagecache/embedded_img_full/image/image_file/snow_PS-0033.jpg" alt="" width="560" height="373" /></p>
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/theroades/~4/DeaiXlICKn4" height="1" width="1"/>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>What I’ve been reading…</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/theroades/~3/6kYAVw7hxPo/what-ive-been-reading</link>
		<comments>http://www.theroades.com/2010/01/what-ive-been-reading#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 31 Jan 2010 19:13:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Adam</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[family]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theroades.com/?p=732</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Some blogs I&#8217;ve read recently:
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Some blogs I&#8217;ve read recently:</p>
<ul class="gReader-list"><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-1"><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Mashable/~3/pt4O99BssR4/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">Steve Jobs vs. Obama: Who Got the Bigger Buzz? [INFOGRAPHIC]</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://mashable.com"   title="source blog">Mashable!</a></div><div class="gReader-notes">As I mentioned to a colleague, I wouldn't be surprised if more people knew about the Apple announcement than knew the SOTU was scheduled. Cool visualization, too.</div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-2"><a href="http://xkcd.com/695/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">Spirit</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://xkcd.com/"   title="source blog">xkcd.com</a></div><div class="gReader-notes">A funny depiction of the Spirit rover (on Mars) anthropomorphizing it as someone who just wants to feel approval.</div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-3"><a href="http://www.makemymood.com/2010/01/29/one-very-clever-tractor-operator/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">One Very Clever Tractor Operator</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://www.makemymood.com"   title="source blog">Make My Mood</a></div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-4"><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/hightechdad/~3/SxoEHBEijOs/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">The Apple iPad – Why It Might NOT be a Winner … Yet!</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://www.hightechdad.com"   title="source blog">HighTechDad Blog</a></div><div class="gReader-notes">A poignant critique of Apple's iPad. I'll be posting my own shortly on mrmerlot.com</div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-5"><a href="http://www.downloadsquad.com/2010/01/27/twitter-activity-at-all-time-low-only-17-percent-of-users-actually-tweet/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">Twitter activity at all-time low, only 17% of users actually tweet</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://www.downloadsquad.com"   title="source blog">Download Squad</a></div><div class="gReader-notes">Are these results all that surprising? After all, other studies have shown that most user-generated content is created by a small percentage of users. This isn't necessarily bad news: if everyone is talking and no one is listening (reading), what's the point?</div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-6"><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ikiw/~3/ykeMnMPgz-4/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">Evolution of Crayola Crayon Colors, 1903-2010</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://www.ikiw.org"   title="source blog">Future Changes</a></div><div class="gReader-notes">This cool visualization shows the crayon colors Crayola has offered since it first started making kids happy with those little yellow boxes. I don't know about you, but I sort of miss the days of the basic eight colors. Now when I open the kids' crayon box, I'm almost hit with a paralysis of wondering which of the dozen blue hues I should use!</div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-7"><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Mashable/~3/lm2rYS5IV7w/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">4 Myths About Social Media and Business</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://mashable.com"   title="source blog">Mashable!</a></div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-8"><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Mashable/~3/nn4adWDT3ao/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">Google Reader Lets You Subscribe to Any Page on the Web</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://mashable.com"   title="source blog">Mashable!</a></div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-9"><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Mashable/~3/s3jMdbuGiss/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">Your Brain Can’t Handle Your Facebook Friends</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://mashable.com"   title="source blog">Mashable!</a></div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-10"><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/fastforwardblog/SYEL/~3/DONM4k5n_3k/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">Enterprise 2.0 and Web Social Media in Operation in Haiti Relief</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://www.fastforwardblog.com"   title="source blog">The FASTForward Blog</a></div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-11"><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/readwriteweb/~3/OSaMVyiyQ8o/generation_m2_understanding_the_multimedia_teen.php" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">Generation M2: Understanding the Multimedia Teen</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://www.readwriteweb.com/"   title="source blog">ReadWriteWeb</a></div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-12"><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Mashable/~3/Z2uiXSWRJGo/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">The FBI Sucks at Photoshop [PIC]</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://mashable.com"   title="source blog">Mashable!</a></div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-13"><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/InformationArchitected/~3/SzOHkr4ANHg/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">Content Security and Knowledge Management “D’oh”</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://www.informationarchitected.com"   title="source blog">Information Architected</a></div><div class="gReader-notes">I'm glad I'm not the only one that picks up deep truths from the Simpsons! :)</div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-14"><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Mashable/~3/sJ9KSrGc7Y8/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">Twitter + Airport + Bomb Joke = Go Directly to Jail</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://mashable.com"   title="source blog">Mashable!</a></div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-15"><a href="http://dadomatic.com/having-that-conversation-with-your-kids/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">Having “That” Conversation With Your Kids…</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://dadomatic.com"   title="source blog">Dad-O-Matic</a></div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-16"><a href="http://donaldclarkplanb.blogspot.com/2010/01/hedge-your-betts-7-paradoxes-of.html" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">Hedge your BETTs – the 7 paradoxes of technology in education</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://donaldclarkplanb.blogspot.com/"   title="source blog">Donald Clark       Plan B</a></div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-17"><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/typepad/sethsmainblog/~3/AoS504GJvGA/what-the-industry-wants.html" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">What the industry wants</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/"   title="source blog">Seth&#39;s Blog</a></div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-18"><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/stuffchristianslikeblog/~3/D6t-K8KKY64/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">Trying to find “your thing.”</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://stuffchristianslike.net"   title="source blog">Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff</a></div><div class="gReader-notes">As always, Jon Acuff mixes inspiration with offbeat humor in this post about finding and pursuing what you were made to do.</div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-19"><a href="http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/DKJ0qtLnshQ/pack-a-gun-to-protect-valuables-from-airline-theft-or-loss" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">Pack a Gun to Protect Valuables from Airline Theft or Loss [Air Travel Tip]</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://lifehacker.com"   title="source blog">Lifehacker</a></div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-20"><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Mashable/~3/k0068v3S8ME/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">How Conceptual Metaphors are Stunting Web Innovation</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://mashable.com"   title="source blog">Mashable!</a></div><div class="gReader-notes">I have maintained a interest in the use and power of "everyday metaphors" for the past several years. How we visualize and process new information based on metaphorical links to information we already know impacts how and what we learn.</div></li><li class="grCredit"><small>Plugin by <a href="http://www.cmurrayconsulting.com/software/google-reader-shared-wordpress/" title="Expert WordPress Developers" >C. Murray Consulting</a></small></li></ul>
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/theroades/~4/6kYAVw7hxPo" height="1" width="1"/>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>What I’ve found interesting lately…</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/theroades/~3/FkfhJ_aPVH8/what-ive-found-interesting-lately</link>
		<comments>http://www.theroades.com/2010/01/what-ive-found-interesting-lately#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:48:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Adam</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[life stuff]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[links]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theroades.com/?p=726</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I&#8217;m attempting to use a new WordPress plugin that will publish articles I &#8220;share&#8221; from my Google Reader RSS feeds. If that last sentence sounds like Greek, click on the second link to learn more!  
Since this is the first time I&#8217;m using this plugin, this post includes all articles I&#8217;ve shared in the [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I&#8217;m attempting to use a new WordPress plugin that will publish articles I &#8220;share&#8221; from my <a href="http://reader.google.com">Google Reader</a> <a href="http://www.commoncraft.com/rss_plain_english"><strong>RSS feeds</strong></a>. If that last sentence sounds like Greek, click on the second link to learn more! <img src='http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p>Since this is the first time I&#8217;m using this plugin, this post includes all articles I&#8217;ve shared in the past several months. Subsequent posts will only show new articles and should be much shorter.</p>
<p>Happy reading!</p>
<p><strong><ul class="gReader-list"><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-1"><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ikiw/~3/tibjmh_Tvg8/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">“Here is your daughter Anne’s legacy to you.”</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://www.ikiw.org"   title="source blog">Future Changes</a></div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-2"><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Mashable/~3/HjUd6ljfyMo/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">Lady GaGa Remixed by Latest YouTube Sensations [VIDEO]</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://mashable.com"   title="source blog">Mashable!</a></div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-3"><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheBuzzBin/~3/0m4b81t59i4/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">A Tale of Two HIPAA Violations</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://www.livingstonbuzz.com"   title="source blog">The Buzz Bin</a></div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-4"><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CommonCraft/~3/7xKJLYDBx-g/new-video-protecting-reputations-online-plain-english" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">New Video: Protecting Reputations Online in Plain English</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://www.commoncraft.com"   title="source blog">Common Craft - Common Craft - Our Product is Explanation</a></div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-5"><a href="http://www.saritaatsonlight.com/2010/01/its-new-year-set-goals.html" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">It's a New Year, Set Goals</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://www.saritaatsonlight.com/"   title="source blog">Sarita at Sonlight</a></div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-6"><a href="http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/agy2CoePHHw/the-best-times-to-buy-anything-all-year-round" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">The Best Times to Buy Anything, All Year Round [Buying Guide]</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://lifehacker.com"   title="source blog">Lifehacker</a></div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-7"><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/fastforwardblog/SYEL/~3/CCRq6ANEP_k/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">Employee Engagement – a Core Goal of Enterprise 2.0 Adoption ?</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://www.fastforwardblog.com"   title="source blog">The FASTForward Blog</a></div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-8"><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/failblog/~3/oJn4xSTOE0Y/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">Law Firm Name Fail</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://failblog.org"   title="source blog">FAIL Blog: Epic Fail Pictures and Videos of Owned, Pwnd and Fail Moments</a></div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-9"><a href="http://xkcd.com/674/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">Natural Parenting</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://xkcd.com/"   title="source blog">xkcd.com</a></div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-10"><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RapidElearningBlog/~3/e4k82_U_I-Q/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">5 Essential Rapid E-Learning Tips</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://www.articulate.com/rapid-elearning"   title="source blog">The Rapid eLearning Blog</a></div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-11"><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/fastforwardblog/SYEL/~3/NqRIKGwLU20/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">Implementing Enterprise 2.0 at Booz Allen: Part One Overview of Business Drivers and Components</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://www.fastforwardblog.com"   title="source blog">The FASTForward Blog</a></div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-12"><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Mashable/~3/7qv8YI5P4G8/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">Don’t Underestimate the Power of the iPod Touch in the Smartphone War</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://mashable.com"   title="source blog">Mashable!</a></div><div class="gReader-notes">As an iPod touch (and long-time previous-gen iPod) owner, I can easily see how the device is supporting Apple's dominance in the mobile app market. However, I will still choose an Android phone over the iPhone.</div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-13"><a href="http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/DkmLJAqHRck/the-complete-guide-to-avoiding-online-scams-for-your-less-savvy-friends-and-relatives" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">The Complete Guide to Avoiding Online Scams (for Your Less Savvy Friends and Relatives) [Security]</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://lifehacker.com"   title="source blog">Lifehacker</a></div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-14"><a href="http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/quJ9u93_2Lg/use-basic-fat-math-to-lose-extra-weight" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">Use Basic Fat Math to Lose Extra Weight [Weight Loss]</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://lifehacker.com"   title="source blog">Lifehacker</a></div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-15"><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/chrisbrogandotcom/~3/Tt6GtTZFRmQ/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">Have You Been Laid Off</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://www.chrisbrogan.com"   title="source blog">chrisbrogan.com</a></div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-16"><a href="http://www.makemymood.com/2009/11/30/solitaire-2/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">Solitaire</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://www.makemymood.com"   title="source blog">Make My Mood</a></div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-17"><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DilbertDailyStrip/~3/r3Kra74jfF4/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">Comic for November 30, 2009</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://dilbert.com/"   title="source blog">Dilbert Daily Strip</a></div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-18"><a href="http://xkcd.com/668/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">Pandora</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://xkcd.com/"   title="source blog">xkcd.com</a></div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-19"><a href="http://www.ikiw.org/2009/11/14/neglected-keystrokes/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">Neglected Keystrokes</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://www.ikiw.org"   title="source blog">Future Changes</a></div><div class="gReader-notes">Absolutely hilarious! Well done!</div></li><li class="gReader-item gReader-item-20"><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AndrewMcafeesBlog/~3/8Q7aWaHrQ5k/" title="link to post"   class="gReader-title">Enterprise 2.0 is Not THAT Big a Deal</a><div class="gReader-source"><span class="preface">Source:  </span><a href="http://andrewmcafee.org"   title="source blog">Andrew McAfee&#39;s Blog</a></div></li><li class="grCredit"><small>Plugin by <a href="http://www.cmurrayconsulting.com/software/google-reader-shared-wordpress/" title="Expert WordPress Developers" >C. Murray Consulting</a></small></li></ul></strong></p>
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		<title>2009: Our Year in Review</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/theroades/~3/dMrv9q04Fw0/2009-our-year-in-review</link>
		<comments>http://www.theroades.com/2009/12/2009-our-year-in-review#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 30 Dec 2009 21:35:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Adam</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[life stuff]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[parenting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[recollections]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theroades.com/?p=706</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I abandoned the idea of a family Christmas newsletter years ago when I started this family blog. It seemed redundant since I was posting news throughout the year. But I think it&#8217;s worthwhile looking back through the year and encapsulating some of the highlights. So&#8230; here&#8217;s a snapshot of our 2009!
We started the year nearing [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I abandoned the idea of a <strong>family Christmas newsletter</strong> years ago when I started this family blog. It seemed redundant since I was posting news throughout the year. But I think it&#8217;s worthwhile looking back through the year and encapsulating some of the highlights. So&#8230; here&#8217;s <strong>a snapshot of our 2009!</strong></p>
<p><strong>We started the year</strong> nearing the end of the first trimester of our <strong>fourth pregnancy</strong>. While we waited excitedly for the latest Roades baby girl to arrive, we had little time to sit and ruminate! I continued to enjoy my job as a social software consultant and trainer while Rebecca was busy at home raising the girls (while growing another!).</p>
<p>In April, Z turned four and we had a fun trip to the <strong>National Zoo</strong> with friends of ours. I <a href="http://www.theroades.com/2009/04/new-semi-pro-blog-at-mrmerlotcom">launched</a> <a href="http://www.mrmerlot.com"><strong>mrmerlot.com</strong></a> to dovetail with my work as a social media consultant and trainer. If you are interested in technology, check it out!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="alignleft" src="http://www.theroades.com/zenphoto/zp-core/i.php?a=2009%2FApril_2009&amp;i=Happy+Birthday+Z.JPG&amp;s=395&amp;cw=&amp;ch=&amp;q=85" alt="" width="277" height="207" /><img class="aligncenter" src="http://www.theroades.com/zenphoto/zp-core/i.php?a=2009%2FApril_2009&amp;i=IMG_4299.JPG&amp;s=395&amp;cw=&amp;ch=&amp;q=85" alt="" width="277" height="207" /></p>
<p>We had a couple trips to visit family in Pennsylvania, then tapered off our travel as we headed into the final trimester. In June, <strong>R had her first dance recital </strong>and did <em>wonderfully</em>! She had no hesitation about being on the big stage and it was a great finale to a fun year of dance lessons for her.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter" src="http://www.theroades.com/zenphoto/zp-core/i.php?a=2009%2FJune09&amp;i=R+and++Ruby+-+Strawberry+Jammin1.JPG&amp;s=395&amp;cw=&amp;ch=&amp;q=85" alt="" width="395" height="296" /></p>
<p>In <strong>late June </strong>we welcomed the fourth princess to our castle: <a href="http://www.theroades.com/2009/07/welcome-to-our-family-callie-grace"><strong>C Grace</strong></a>! Sweet as could be, we have enjoyed the last six months as we&#8217;ve seen her grow from a newborn to a <strong>charming </strong>baby who is always ready with a <strong>ear-to-ear smile</strong>!</p>
<p><img class="alignleft" src="http://www.theroades.com/zenphoto/zp-core/i.php?a=2009%2FJune09&amp;i=mom+and+callie+first+time.jpg&amp;s=395&amp;cw=&amp;ch=&amp;q=85" alt="" width="277" height="207" /><img class="aligncenter" src="http://www.theroades.com/zenphoto/zp-core/i.php?a=2009%2FJune09&amp;i=callie+the+curiosity.jpg&amp;s=395&amp;cw=&amp;ch=&amp;q=85" alt="" width="277" height="207" /></p>
<p>As we looked back on the past few years, we laughed along with our moms as we realized that between us and our siblings, they experienced the &#8220;<strong>grandparents fast track</strong>&#8220;: &#8220;Grandma&#8221; went from 0-6 grandchildren in under six years while &#8220;Nana&#8221; went from 0-8 grandchildren in under six years. <em>Whoa!</em></p>
<p>July and August had us <em>singly focused </em>on adjusting to a newborn (again) and understanding what a <strong>family of six </strong>looks like! My company gives me two paid weeks of paternal leave which I used along with a week of annual leave. That meant I took nearly the whole month of July off, so going back to work in August wasn&#8217;t easy!</p>
<p><img class="alignright" src="http://www.theroades.com/zenphoto/zp-core/i.php?a=2009%2FSep2009&amp;i=first+wk+of+school.JPG&amp;s=395&amp;cw=&amp;ch=&amp;q=85" alt="" width="237" height="178" />As if a newborn wasn&#8217;t enough of a challenge, we made the decision to <strong>homeschool R </strong>for her Kindergarten year. Rebecca started the &#8220;school year&#8221; in September using the <a href="http://www.sonlight.com/">Sonlight</a> curriculum. Since Beck and R had already put in about 18 months of work <a href="http://www.theroades.com/2009/04/rayna-can-read">learning to read</a> and write, both were off and running with the new material! R amazes me with her inquisitiveness and intelligence. I&#8217;m excited to see what she picks up in 2010 as a part of her curriculum and through her self-directed learning. Providing an environment in which she can explore on her own terms will be a challenge!</p>
<p>Meanwhile, <strong>Z </strong>started going through the same book we used with R (which we <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Teach-Your-Child-Read-Lessons/dp/0671631985/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1263239720&amp;sr=8-1"><em>highly </em>recommend</a>) to begin learning to read and write. Both have really enjoyed the opportunity to learn at home and Beck and I have both been blessed by the chance to spend so much time with them. Z also began <strong>dance lessons </strong>in September, joining R who started her second year of dance. Both are enjoying their weekly lessons and have made friends with several of their classmates! Back-to-back classes certainly makes for busy Wednesday evenings!</p>
<p>While I often wonder what she&#8217;s thinking, I&#8217;ve found that Z enjoys simple things like just spending time with mom or dad. With Z, it&#8217;s all about the quiet moments. She has an unconventional sense of humor and often laughs at her own offbeat jokes, which often have dark overtones (including inheriting her mother&#8217;s tendency to laugh when others trip or crash into things&#8230;). She also loves to &#8220;mommy&#8221; M and is quick to come to her aid.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter" src="http://www.theroades.com/zenphoto/zp-core/i.php?a=2009%2FSep2009&amp;i=zoe+in+dance+class.JPG&amp;s=395&amp;cw=&amp;ch=&amp;q=85" alt="" width="395" height="296" /></p>
<p><strong></strong>Meanwhile, <strong>M </strong>emerged from her grumpy phase (which she began around 6 months) to become an absolute joy. Her sense of humor and independent nature means there&#8217;s never a dull moment and we&#8217;re never surprised to see her singing a song she made up, &#8220;nursing&#8221; her baby doll, or doing something else hilarious. Her vocabulary is still rather limited, but she makes up for it with her bubbly personality, quick wit, and charm! She also managed to master the potty &#8211; after a few days suffering through constant accidents, she suddenly &#8220;got it&#8221; and practically ditched diapers overnight!</p>
<p>We ended the year with the opportunity to have a mini <strong>adult-only vacation </strong>- only the second time we&#8217;ve done so in the last six years. Thanks to Rebecca&#8217;s mom who stayed with the kids overnight, we spent a couple days doing &#8220;grown up&#8221; things in downtown D.C. This included the <a href="http://www.spymuseum.org/">International Spy Museum</a> (including &#8220;Operation Spy&#8221;) and dinner at the <a href="http://www.marrakesh.us/">Marrakesh</a> (a traditional Moroccan restaurant), and a night at a hotel in Dupont Circle (see <a href="http://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=0KLZSBdjv14XcyGMkOLnAQ">my reviews on Yelp</a>). We also saw <a href="http://www.theroades.com/2009/12/avatar-in-3d">Avatar in 3D</a>, one of the better movies we&#8217;ve seen this year. It was a nice getaway!</p>
<p>To a one, we have been <strong>incredibly blessed as a family in 2009</strong> and I look forward to seeing what lies ahead in 2010!</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter" src="http://www.theroades.com/zenphoto/cache/2009/Dec2009/Roades%20Family%202009_395.jpg" alt="" width="395" height="263" /></p>
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		<title>A new photo gallery!</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/theroades/~3/dyQJC8sns9Y/a-new-photo-gallery</link>
		<comments>http://www.theroades.com/2009/12/a-new-photo-gallery#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 27 Dec 2009 02:27:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Adam</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[family]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theroades.com/?p=703</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[After years of using an open sourced application called Gallery2, I recently migrated to Zenphoto to power the photos area of theroades.com. Gallery2, while being very robust, was a bit too complicated for me to manage easil. Zenphoto offers similar capabilities, with what I think is an improved simplicity in the way I add photos [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>After years of using an open sourced application called <a href="http://gallery.menalto.com/">Gallery2</a>, I recently migrated to <a href="http://www.zenphoto.org/">Zenphoto</a> to power the <a href="http://theroades.com/zenphoto/"><strong>photos</strong></a> area of theroades.com. Gallery2, while being very robust, was a bit too complicated for me to manage easil. Zenphoto offers similar capabilities, with what I think is an improved simplicity in the way I add photos and the way you access them.</p>
<p>I&#8217;ve added new photos to the <a href="http://theroades.com/zenphoto/2009/Dec2009"><strong>December 2009 album</strong></a>, including some of us during the recent blizzard. I also found photos from 2004 and earlier which I&#8217;ll be uploading during the next few weeks. Pop on over to the <strong><a href="http://www.theroades.com/zenphoto/">new gallery</a></strong>, take a look around, and leave comments (which I&#8217;ll need to moderate to avoid spammers). And let me know what you think of the new gallery by leaving a comment on this post.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://theroades.com/zenphoto/cache/2009/Dec2009/Out%20in%20the%20snow_495.jpg"><img class="aligncenter" title="Blizzard 2009" src="http://theroades.com/zenphoto/cache/2009/Dec2009/Out%20in%20the%20snow_495.jpg" alt="" width="495" height="371" /></a></p>
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/theroades/~4/dyQJC8sns9Y" height="1" width="1"/>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Merry Christmas!</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/theroades/~3/xuh7qAOlAYo/merry-christmas</link>
		<comments>http://www.theroades.com/2009/12/merry-christmas#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 25 Dec 2009 20:35:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Adam</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[family]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theroades.com/?p=700</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<blockquote><p>While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.</p>
<p>And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, &#8220;Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2&amp;version=NIV">Luke 2</a>: 6-11)</p></blockquote>
<p><img class="aligncenter" src="http://theroades.com/zenphoto/zp-core/i.php?a=2009%2FDec2009&amp;i=IMG_5908.JPG&amp;s=595&amp;cw=&amp;ch=&amp;q=85" alt="" width="595" height="446" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">I hope you have a wonderful day as you celebrate the birthday of <strong>Jesus, </strong>our <strong>Friend and Savior</strong>!</p>
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/theroades/~4/xuh7qAOlAYo" height="1" width="1"/>]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>Ghost posts?</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/theroades/~3/umWTeRjnGqs/ghost-posts</link>
		<comments>http://www.theroades.com/2009/12/ghost-posts#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:15:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Adam</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[website]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theroades.com/?p=693</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[For those of you subscribed via email, I apologize for the recent re-posting of some old posts. I&#8217;m not sure if Feedburner hiccuped or what, but I&#8217;ll be keeping my eye out to see if it happens again. In any event, I found the posts about C&#8217;s birth to be nostalgic!
Merry Christmas everyone!
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>For those of you subscribed via email, I apologize for the recent re-posting of some old posts. I&#8217;m not sure if Feedburner hiccuped or what, but I&#8217;ll be keeping my eye out to see if it happens again. In any event, I found the posts about C&#8217;s birth to be nostalgic!</p>
<p>Merry Christmas everyone!</p>
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/theroades/~4/umWTeRjnGqs" height="1" width="1"/>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>If only I had been able to learn history like this…</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/theroades/~3/_E-9hgwXeUA/if-only-i-had-been-able-to-learn-history-like-this</link>
		<comments>http://www.theroades.com/2009/12/if-only-i-had-been-able-to-learn-history-like-this#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:00:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Adam</dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[Do you remember anything from your high school history classes? How about college history courses? No, I don&#8217;t mean how boring they were (sorry, history fans), I mean actually remember content from those classes?
I&#8217;m one of those who dreaded history classes. It seemed as though no history teacher/professor I ever had could ever make the [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Do you remember anything from your high school history classes?</strong> How about college history courses? No, I don&#8217;t mean how boring they were (sorry, history fans), I mean actually <em>remember </em>content from those classes?</p>
<p>I&#8217;m one of those who <strong>dreaded history</strong> classes. It seemed as though no history teacher/professor I ever had could ever make the subject interesting. Almost as though they had lost <em>all passion</em> for the area. I feel like I was shortchanged when it comes to my education in that subject.</p>
<p>I&#8217;ve come to enjoy history more as I&#8217;ve gotten older. What I&#8217;ve found is that for any historical event/person/etc., I better understand the context (what else was going on at the time), the impact (based on current events), and the stories. In fact, through the magic of the Web, I often find myself <em>re-learning</em> things I should have learned in school using Wikipedia and other web sites to understand the state of the world today.</p>
<p>History is one of the subjects <strong>I&#8217;m passionate about making interesting</strong> to our kids as we homeschool. In fact, I recently volunteered to review a new history text (intended for homeschoolers) called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/History-Medieval-World-Conversion-Constantine/dp/0393059758/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1260541330&amp;sr=8-1">History of the Medieval World</a> by <a href="http://www.susanwisebauer.com/">Susan Wise Bauer</a>. I&#8217;ve read some of Bauer&#8217;s other books and I have high expectations that this will be educational as well as fun to read. I won&#8217;t be able to post a review of the book until February due to the conditions of the review, so look for it then.</p>
<p>Hans Rosling, while technically a doctor and researcher, is to me, a fantastic history teacher. <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/hans_rosling_asia_s_rise_how_and_when.html">Rosling gave a presentation at TED India</a> recently on the rise of India as an economic heavyweight. Setting aside the main point of his talk (which is to demonstrate when India will finally catch up to the US and Britain), Rosling uses <strong>visualizations </strong>in a way that <strong>brings historical data to life</strong>. Instead of merely providing dry facts such as dates, people, and events, he rolls all of this into a highly entertaining and informative animation. I would love to see these incorporated into all history classes.</p>
<p>While you&#8217;re welcome to watch the entire 16-minute video, I&#8217;ve embedded a clip (2:46) below of the first time in the presentation that he uses the animated graphs. He also <a href="http://graphs.gapminder.org/world/#$majorMode=chart$is;shi=t;ly=2003;lb=f;il=t;fs=11;al=30;stl=t;st=t;nsl=t;se=t$wst;tts=C$ts;sp=6;ti=2007$zpv;v=0$inc_x;mmid=XCOORDS;iid=phAwcNAVuyj1jiMAkmq1iMg;by=ind$inc_y;mmid=YCOORDS;iid=phAwcNAVuyj2tPLxKvvnNPA;by=ind$inc_s;uniValue=8.21;iid=phAwcNAVuyj0XOoBL_n5tAQ;by=ind$inc_c;uniValue=255;gid=CATID0;by=grp$map_x;scale=log;dataMin=194;dataMax=96846$map_y;scale=lin;dataMin=23;dataMax=86$map_s;sma=49;smi=2.65$cd;bd=0$inds=">shares these animations</a> on the <a href="http://www.gapminder.org/">gapminder.org web site</a> where you can either hit play, or use the scrub bar to go at your own pace.</p>
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		<title>Construction &amp; destruction: the short lifespan of a gingerbread house</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/theroades/~3/u6UQ7WpeECM/construction-destruction-the-short-lifespan-of-a-gingerbread-house</link>
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		<pubDate>Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:00:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Adam</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[family]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[Sunday afternoon&#8230;


Monday evening&#8230;

Yes, we&#8217;re a family that doesn&#8217;t mess around when it comes to enjoying our holiday treats &#8230; even if they&#8217;re meant to be decorations!  
Thank goodness for pre-baked gingerbread house kits that let us focus on the building, decorating, and eating instead of the baking! Costco has the best kit we&#8217;ve seen [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2><em>Sunday afternoon&#8230;</em></h2>
<p><img class="aligncenter" src="http://theroades.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=5195&amp;g2_serialNumber=2" alt="" width="375" height="281" /></p>
<p><img class="aligncenter" src="http://theroades.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=5198&amp;g2_serialNumber=2" alt="" width="408" height="306" /></p>
<h2><em></em><em>Monday evening&#8230;</em></h2>
<p><img class="aligncenter" src="http://theroades.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=5220&amp;g2_serialNumber=1" alt="" width="532" height="399" /></p>
<p>Yes, we&#8217;re a family that doesn&#8217;t mess around when it comes to enjoying our holiday treats &#8230; even if they&#8217;re meant to be decorations! <img src='http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p><strong>T</strong><strong>hank goodness</strong> for pre-baked gingerbread house kits that let us focus on the building, decorating, and eating instead of the baking! Costco has the best kit we&#8217;ve seen &#8211; it&#8217;s $10 and has everything you see here, plus two gingerbread men who met their fates rather quickly.</p>
<p>I wonder what would have happened if R or Z had been with Hansel and Gretel when they happened upon that candy house in the woods. I have a feeling they would have gobbled up the walls so fast that the witch would barely have made it out before the roof collapsed!</p>
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		<title>Giving thanks &amp; feeding alpacas (?!)</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/theroades/~3/UsOiJ4q0vBE/giving-thanks-feeding-alpacas</link>
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		<pubDate>Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:55:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Adam</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[events]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[Over the Thanksgiving weekend, we went up to Pennsylvania to visit family. As the weather was cold, windy, and wet, we spent most of our time indoors. But we did get one short window where the clouds parted and our cabin fever forced us out of the house. Rebecca had wanted to get her Mom [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Over the Thanksgiving weekend, we went up to Pennsylvania to visit family. As the weather was cold, windy, and wet, we spent most of our time indoors. But we did get one short window where the clouds parted and our cabin fever forced us out of the house. Rebecca had wanted to get her Mom a pair of boutique alpaca wool socks and see if she wanted a pair of her own for Christmas. So we journeyed to the source &#8211; the <a href="http://www.whitelightningfarm.com/"><strong>White Lightning Farm</strong></a> in Mohnton (I&#8217;m as surprised as you are that an alpaca farm has a <em>web site</em>). <img src='http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p>While we assumed we&#8217;d be able to <em>see</em> the creatures, we had no idea we&#8217;d also be allowed to <em>feed</em> them! The girls were very excited about this and we spent quite a bit of time with the strange beasts. Then the cold and rain came back and we scrambled back home.</p>
<p>Ann and Dane, the owners of White Lightning Farm, were both <em>very</em> friendly and I would highly recommend taking a field trip if <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&amp;source=s_q&amp;hl=en&amp;geocode=&amp;q=White+Lightning+Woodworking&amp;sll=37.0625,-95.677068&amp;sspn=48.822589,59.941406&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;hq=&amp;hnear=2+Chadwick+Dr,+Mohnton,+Berks,+Pennsylvania+19608&amp;t=h&amp;z=16&amp;iwloc=A&amp;cid=1256563036814095784">you&#8217;re ever in the area</a>.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter" src="http://theroades.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=5161&amp;g2_serialNumber=2" alt="" width="318" height="423" /></p>
<p><img class="aligncenter" src="http://theroades.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=5140&amp;g2_serialNumber=2" alt="" width="427" height="320" /></p>
<p><img class="aligncenter" src="http://theroades.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=5137&amp;g2_serialNumber=2" alt="" width="444" height="333" /></p>
<p><img class="aligncenter" src="http://theroades.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=5167&amp;g2_serialNumber=2" alt="" width="319" height="425" /></p>
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		<title>Know thyself to reach your potential</title>
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		<pubDate>Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:34:08 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Adam</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[life stuff]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[
temet nosce

The Latin phrase (more formally nosce te ipsum) is roughly translated &#8220;Know thyself&#8221; in the Movie &#8220;The Matrix&#8221; when Neo is visiting the Oracle for the first time. In the movie, Neo must begin to understand his own purpose and abilities in order to do what he needs to do to rescue humankind.
While you [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h1 style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-674" title="temet01" src="http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/temet01.jpg" alt="temet01" width="404" height="231" /></h1>
<h1 style="text-align: center;"><em>temet nosce<br />
</em></h1>
<p>The Latin phrase (more formally <em></em><em>nosce te ipsum)</em> is roughly translated &#8220;Know thyself&#8221; in the Movie &#8220;The Matrix&#8221; when Neo is visiting the Oracle for the first time. In the movie, Neo must begin to understand his own purpose and abilities in order to do what he needs to do to rescue humankind.</p>
<p>While you may never need to conquer an artificial intelligence that has enslaved the human race, it is worth pausing to reflect on what it means to know yourself.</p>
<p><img class="alignright" src="http://www.thestandingroom.com/photos/nathan_gunn/billybuddsf1.jpg" alt="" width="208" height="312" />If you&#8217;re familiar with opera &#8211; or even, like me &#8211; if you don&#8217;t follow that form of theater whatsoever &#8211; you may have heard of the baritone <strong>Nathan Gunn</strong>. This beefy stud muffin is known for displaying his chiseled pecs on stage during many of his performances. And, as the image here shows, with good reason. At age 39, Gunn has an amazing physique (insert man crush joke here).</p>
<p>A recent <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704107104574571880213922854.html">Wall Street Journal</a> article details his secrets to fitness. While his dietary habit of eating just one meal a day (dinner) would not work for me, what struck me most was two key aspects of his <strong>fitness routine</strong>.</p>
<p>One, he shies away from free weights, preferring body weight exercises like <strong>pushups and pullups</strong>. This is partly because he doesn&#8217;t want to get a lot of bulk (like low-rep, high-weight exercises tend to do). But, more importantly, it&#8217;s because his traveling schedule often forces him to work out in hotel rooms without special equipment. Having subscribed to the P90X fitness regimen for some time now, I can attest to the effectiveness of bodyweight exercises as a punishing start to most of my mornings. The routines are also portable, meaning I can (but often do not) do them when visiting family and I&#8217;m away from my free weights.</p>
<p>The second key was a <strong>recognition of his own physical limitations</strong>:</p>
<blockquote><p>Mr. Gunn&#8217;s knees have weakened over the years, so he will do short sprints instead of long-distance running about twice a week. He will sprint in short intervals for 30 minutes at a time. If he doesn&#8217;t run, he will do a 45-minute stint on a stationary bicycle.</p></blockquote>
<p>Personally, I&#8217;ve railed against my own weak joints for years, believing I could punish them enough to become stronger. Now that I&#8217;m in my mid-30s, however, I realize that doing so actually works against my goals, as I end up being more tired or injured, extending the time between my workouts. Accepting the limitations of my body could help me focus on those areas of fitness for which I&#8217;m best designed and bring a greater sense of peace about where I&#8217;m at (i.e., not looking like Nathan Gunn).</p>
<p>Of course, laying off the extra slice of cake wouldn&#8217;t hurt either. <img src='http://www.theroades.com/wordpress/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif' alt=';)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
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		<title>Unbelievably cool costume!</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/theroades/~3/ucfTIPoer7M/unbelievably-cool-costume</link>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:54:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Adam</dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[While it&#8217;s waaaay after Halloween at this point, I couldn&#8217;t pass up the opportunity to share this video of the coolest costume I&#8217;ve ever seen!!!
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>While it&#8217;s waaaay after Halloween at this point, I couldn&#8217;t pass up the opportunity to share this video of the <em><strong>coolest costume I&#8217;ve ever seen</strong><strong>!!!</strong></em></p>
<p><a href="http://www.theroades.com/2009/11/unbelievably-cool-costume"><em>Click here to view the embedded video.</em></a></p>
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		<title>Photos like this one make me smile!</title>
		<link>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/theroades/~3/P1ut_OJaxmM/photos-like-this-one-make-me-smile</link>
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		<pubDate>Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:25:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Adam</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[parenting]]></category>

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]]></description>
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<div class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 650px"><img title="Three Princesses" src="http://theroades.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&amp;g2_itemId=4993&amp;g2_serialNumber=2" alt="Three Princesses" width="640" height="480" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Three Princesses</p></div>
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