The personal web presence of Stan Maddox

Today I returned to my Alma Mater, Western Illinois University, for their annual Instructional Design and Technology job fair. I always enjoy events like these. It’s fun to drop in on old friends and staff, and to renew relationships with the faculty as we compare notes on the latest trends in the field and catch up on our careers and personal lives. Most of all, I really get a kick out of interacting with the students, an interesting blend of new talent struggling with old challenges. I remember all too well what it’s like to be on the other side of the table, so I always try to spend extra time with the students, moving beyond the resumes to gain insight into who they are as a person and unravel where their professional and creative passions really lie. Those moments make the whole trip worthwhile.

One thing was very different: This time I wasn’t alone. This was the first time Tammy had been back to Macomb since before we were married. And for the first time, the kids were with us. Seeing my young children scamper and play in the same spaces where I worked and studied and attended job fairs and seminars years ago, was a surreal yet gratifying blend of the past and the future.

When I walked into Horrabin Hall, students were between classes. The computer labs were packed, the halls were buzzing, and that old end-of-semester pre-panic was in the air. In those last two weeks before finals, IDT students are extremely busy debugging and wrapping up final projects, studying, and doing everything, it seems, except sleep. It’s nice to see that some things never change.

We ended the day by going out to dinner with our "Macombie Homies". Our families have grown since the last time we were all together. By the looks of things the kids are following in our musical footsteps, but doing so in a much cuter way.

Kudos to Dr. Hoyet Hemphill, the faculty and staff, for the opportunity and the hospitality. I met some great students, networked with peers, and landed some intriguing leads. I’m looking forward to the next time.

1. The mower will not break until the only part of the yard left to mow is the part the kids play in the most.
2. The mower will not break until just before a three day holiday, when the repair shop is closed.
3. The mower will not break until just before an extended period of rain, enabling the lawn to grow so long that you will be tempted to trade in the mower on a hay baler.
4. The part of the mower that breaks will be the one subsystem you have no experience repairing.
5. The part of the mower that breaks will be the one subsystem that requires oddball, proprietary tools to disassemble.

Yes, I am sleeping on the couch tonight. No, I am not in the dog house. At least, not that I am aware of.

Seven month old Alyssa, our youngest daughter, has come down with a cold. After spending many hours unsuccessfully trying to get her to fall asleep in the crib, Tammy had the excellent idea of putting Alyssa in her motorized swing for the night. She loves the swing, just like her sister did when she was that age. But tonight, I just couldn’t bring myself to leave her out here alone. Logically, it should not matter. It is absolutely safe and the living room is only a few feet further away from the master bedroom, than her own bedroom… and that is completely beside the point. Logic has nothing to do with this. My baby girl is under the weather. She is not going to be left out here alone tonight. Papa Bear is in the house. ‘Nuff said.