by elizabeth evans
Member since:
January 6, 2006

It's A Small, Small World with Skype!

December 16, 2007 06:55 PM UTC
views: 0 | comments: 49

With colored markers

and white foam board

my wee ones fashion

a planet, colorful and round

 

http://media-files.gather.com/images/d463/d510/d744/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

 

Not knowing distance nor continents

They draw in green and blue

Magical lands in their minds

Where all people hold hands.

 

http://media-files.gather.com/images/d476/d510/d744/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

 

Strange to me at dawn at 7 A.M.

Magical voices from faraway

were heard on my computer today

From sunny Perth, Australia

to flamingo Granada, Spain

the ancient city of Athens

to a young woman in Bombay

and not to forget the USA

north and south and west

talking and laughing

and sharing tales

all skyping at once.

 

 

http://media-files.gather.com/images/d470/d510/d744/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

 

All children of this universe

All sinew and bone

Making connections,

Becoming friends

Finding Common Ground.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Finding Common Ground were Gather members Magi, the magical poet in Perth, Australia, Minnie W. in Bombay, India, Marinela K. in Athens, Greece, John Walters in Granada, Spain, Amy George in South Carolina, Faith H. in Sweet Alabama and Jan H. in sunny, warm California....and of course, me.

Skype is an incredible tool for finding common ground.  Sign up for it now...it's FREE!

Comments: 49

flit . Dec 16, 2007, 6:57pm UTC
oh, I bet that was fun
Jennifer F. Dec 16, 2007, 7:00pm UTC
That is a neat project! The kids are so lucky to have this as a learning tool. Once you know someone from a distant land, it is just so much more interesting to learn about that place and the customs. These children are just beautiful and their concentration is so lovely.
elizabeth evans Dec 16, 2007, 7:10pm UTC
Flit...the Skype Conference this morning was incredible...all thanks to Magi, the Magical Poet, who was the conductor of this symphony of voices!
elizabeth evans Dec 16, 2007, 7:13pm UTC
Thanks for stopping by....since I didn't have pictures of us all skyping, I used a project we did in class to show just how small our world is. Imagine, six people from all around the world talking (sometimes all at once) and laughing and just having a hoot of a time!
Bob, we were a bit like kids let loose in a lolly shop...but what fun it is shrinking the world as we did...and discovering that despite the huge time zone differences, all of us were speaking in the now...in the same instant.

And let the good times keep rolling along!
elizabeth evans Dec 16, 2007, 7:35pm UTC
In the same instant, magi, all skyping along....thanks to you. We were in a lolly shop or otherwise we were all smoking bongs!
Ina ♥ ♥ Dec 16, 2007, 7:42pm UTC
I'm amazed at the technology we have available to us today. It's awesome that all of you were able to get together for this.
Faith H. Dec 16, 2007, 7:43pm UTC
That was the best fun, all those marvelous voices chiming in with laughter and friendship. I enjoyed it and hope we get a chance to do it again soon. Thanks, Bob and Magi!
Ellie !. Dec 16, 2007, 7:56pm UTC
Aren't kids lucky today! Great project!
elizabeth evans Dec 16, 2007, 8:31pm UTC
Ina...it is truly amazing. I remember long ago (probably in '85) coming home from school one day and Aaron was about nine or ten and he called me downstairs...somehow or another he had hooked himself up to the television and his voice was coming out of it...I couldn't believe what he had done...still don't know to this day what he did...but I was extremely upset...that damn TV never worked right again. But back then who ever thought the fom the computer you could hear not one, but many voices from around the world talking and carrying on as if they were in your living room!!!
elizabeth evans Dec 16, 2007, 8:34pm UTC
Faith it was a hoot...if people only knew how much fun Skype is they would be signing up in droves. It's FREE people! 'Course you have to have a computer and internet connection. But if you have that already...then it's free!
elizabeth evans Dec 16, 2007, 8:35pm UTC
Guyana Ellie...just like kids, grown ups can still have fun.
Peter Wimsey Dec 16, 2007, 9:02pm UTC
Lovely photos, elizabeth.

Everyone working together so nicely.
elizabeth evans Dec 16, 2007, 9:07pm UTC
We worked together nicely skyping too Peter...everyone (well almost everyone....ohhhh, Amy) took their turn!!!! LOL!
Granny Janny Dec 16, 2007, 11:15pm UTC
To use Skype, you also need a microphone that plugs in to the computer, and either speakers or a headset. Skype makes money by selling these accoutrements (also available at stores) , phone service from your computer to regular phone numbers and other high tech features. It takes a bit of experimentation to use the skype tool but I have made progress...so that means anyone can. A web camera makes it possible for the person you are calling to see you. I have one that is still not installed. John Walter has one. He called me and I forgot that mine wasn't in yet and started to repair my hair. Boy, did I feel foolish when I realized that he couldn't see me~8^}
*Carol ~Bronx Southern Belle Y. Dec 16, 2007, 11:26pm UTC
How precious. They look like they had fun. What could be better.
glitter graphics

Angel Glitter Graphics
Wilma M. Dec 17, 2007, 1:16am UTC
What a fun conversation that must have been! You need to tape it next time and play it here as a video!!

I've never heard of such a tool! I have enough trouble just with my computer!!
Sonia M. Dec 17, 2007, 2:27am UTC
How fun! ....I had no idea what John Walker was talking about when he mentioned it to me today, so I did a little search to learn more about it.... I don't have the gizmos but I think I will be getting them soon....
Fred Hose Dec 17, 2007, 2:52am UTC
Great article Bob

I'm all set up to go except for the camera. I'll get that later.
I got my Skype on a free disk when I bought my earphones-microphoe combination.

I'm keen to try it out this week. Go well Bob
MW Q. Dec 17, 2007, 3:44am UTC
Bob, my lady in the giggles world! I was smiling away as I heard your peals of merry laughter over Skype last night! Two hours?? They passed as if we had just got started , shared coffee and my lone cup of Darjeeling tea and it was over!
Faith and I had another little message exchange afterwards--and then I declared I need to sleep but came back on Gather to post a poem. Faith was astonished to see me still roaming around after I had said I am off to bed!! Ha..ha..!
Oh these little things made this meeting so great. Jan asking for a poets bash, John being teased by Bob, Magi coming in here and there, always so gentle. All the discussions about work, snow, teaching, Bollywood, shirtless hunks!! :P :P :P
Amy and I met for a brief moment at Yahoo messenger today and she said we were making lovely static together!
Glorious! I will remember this for a long time.


Magi, we need to get back together again. Bless you for thinking this up and making a round the world conference come together so beautifully. You are the true Angel here, bringing friends from Gather closer to each other.
Faith, the DB1 has made us even more famous! Someone does not like friends getting together!
Wilma has a great idea there! Tape it and play it here!
Minnie, my part was a small one...everyone made it the great fun that it turned out to be...and between us all we took Gathering a giant step forwards. We'll do it again in the new year...all a little wiser about how to use Skype as a conferencing tool.
elizabeth evans Dec 17, 2007, 5:30am UTC
So, Jan, that's how Skype makes their money! Will bought me an Apple last year for Mother's Day so all that was included...I don't have to wear headphones...at times I was laying on the couch talking away...making coffee in the other room, using the bathroom...all the time listening to you guys. Though I have the Cam camera, I didn't turn it on....who would want to see a woman in pajamas and uncombed hair...though next time I might prettify myself up before conferencing!!
elizabeth evans Dec 17, 2007, 5:32am UTC
Guyana, Carol for stopping by. Love the Angel!
elizabeth evans Dec 17, 2007, 5:34am UTC
Wilma, that's a great idea...then the people on Gather would really wonder what we were smoking!!
elizabeth evans Dec 17, 2007, 5:34am UTC
Sonia, do hook yourself up...it really is a good time!
elizabeth evans Dec 17, 2007, 5:35am UTC
Fred, we did miss your continent...we will have to rectify that next time!
elizabeth evans Dec 17, 2007, 5:38am UTC
Minnie, Minnie, Minnie....you related so many of the wonderful moments in our conversation...I am sitting here smiling thinking about yesterday!
elizabeth evans Dec 17, 2007, 5:40am UTC
Good morning magi...though I should say good evening. I am starting another day as you close out one. Time really doesn't matter when Gather folks around the world can converse and listen in the same instant! Absolutely mind-boggling!
Busy Buzzy Bee 'Gather Proud Mamarazzi' Dec 17, 2007, 11:11am UTC
Good morning Elizabeth,

This is a fun and I have experienced this....but your way of displaying it's relevance is profound.I know some of these writers and they are honorably stunning....I loved it what you said..

love
Sonia M. Dec 17, 2007, 5:34pm UTC
I AM definitely looking into it....will also mention to members of my family - how cool would it be to have a family conference.....NC, FL, GA, OH, ID, and HI...wow!
elizabeth evans Dec 17, 2007, 5:47pm UTC
Sonia...you've got to convince all your family members to sign up with Skype... a family reunion over the airways would be awesome.
elizabeth evans Dec 17, 2007, 5:48pm UTC
Lyla, you did a great objective article on the Mormons....well researched. Thanks for dropping by.
elizabeth evans Dec 17, 2007, 5:49pm UTC
Amy...I'm so glad I called you the night before and got to talk to you on Skype. You were correct...it wasn't difficult at all talking to John.
Austin Cushing Dec 17, 2007, 5:58pm UTC
This comment is to let you know that this content has reached ten comments, and as such has been removed from Comment Speedway! Congratulations!
elizabeth evans Dec 17, 2007, 6:22pm UTC
Hey Austin, I love it when you show up on my page!
elizabeth evans Dec 17, 2007, 6:23pm UTC
Bhawana..I imagine you do have fun with Skype keeping in touch with family and friends across the globe!
→ Victoria ← Dec 17, 2007, 8:44pm UTC
How neat! The pictures look great. Thanks for posting to "All Photo Essays Here".
elizabeth evans Dec 17, 2007, 9:31pm UTC
Thanks Victoria for stopping by.
Debbie G. Dec 18, 2007, 6:38am UTC
Beautiful photos, Bob. I loved hearing about your connecting with others here via Skype as well. Someday I'd love to join you!
☃ Shannon K. Wendt Dec 18, 2007, 9:24am UTC
What a creative photo essay!
John F Walter Dec 18, 2007, 11:46am UTC
This was great how you merged your children´s efforts to spread joy round the world with our Gather conference, Elizabeth. It was very special meeting you in this way; I will never forget it.
elizabeth evans Dec 18, 2007, 6:33pm UTC
Deb, do you and Tonia have Skype? So much fun.
elizabeth evans Dec 18, 2007, 6:36pm UTC
Thanks Shannon...what I was trying to do was compare the people skyping with the enthusiasm of my children at school...we were like kids with this new technology that allowed people in different parts of the world to converse and laugh and just be "in the moment".
Marge H. Dec 18, 2007, 7:25pm UTC
That really sounds like it was fun and exciting!
William Dotani Dec 19, 2007, 11:15am UTC
Fantastic fun learning project for the children. I thought the poem superbly brought the thoughts and images of this project to life.
Cristina S. Dec 19, 2007, 4:45pm UTC
A great poem and a lovely idea! I don't use skype nearly enough, lol!

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