My photoshop win from Kotaku this week

I was able to win this week's Photoshop contest at Kotaku.

Thanks guys!

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The Soulkind Awakening at Rosemont Ridge Middle School

I was able to be a guest speaker in my school on the 6th of November. Inside are some pictures of the event

Treesketch on the ipad

Ran across a cool 3d tree modeling program on the ipad, called "Treesketch." Here is a cool example of a tree I made

The Soulkind Awakening Book Giveaway on Goodreads

Goodreads Book Giveaway

The Soulkind Awakening

by Steve Davala

Giveaway ends October 27, 2013.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

New Event on 10/30

I will be part of an author speaking event at the Hillsboro Public Library on 10/30 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM.

I just signed up for it after the poster was made, so I'm not on this one. This is through the Northwest Independent Writers Association. 

I will have a short amount of time per person as they go around the circuit asking various questions about writing. 

My book, The Soulkind Awakening, will be available for purchase for $10. 

Hope to see you there!

My speaking event at the West Linn Public Library

On September 9th I was lucky to have a speaking engagement at the West Linn Public Library to talk about my book, "The Soulkind Awakening." More inside:


I was a little nervous at first, but since I knew just about everyone there, it turned into a nice conversation among friends.

Inside are some pictures of the event:

The Tigard Times writes an article about my story

I was lucky enough to get a little press from my local paper, The Times.

An article of The Soulkind Awakening

The West Linn Tidings wrote up a nice article about me and my article. Here is the link

Kotaku Photoshop Contest...My image for the prompt

In a recent weekly post for Kotaku's photoshop contest, I was mentioned by Owen Good, the post's creator. Read the article here!

Egg in a Bottle Science Experiment

Here is a quick video showing how air pressure can affect things

An article of me in the Oregonian

I'm very excited to have an article about me and my book in the Oregonian today.

Here is the link to it:
http://blog.oregonlive.com/writermom/2013/07/rosemont_ridge_middle_school_t.html

A tradition worth keeping...

A year or so ago, I started making Photoshopped cards for my nephews. and now I have to keep it going. Here is the latest for Hayden, a Lord of the Rings themed party...

Photoshop Posting

At the great photoshop site, "How to Cheat in Photoshop," they have weekly challenges. This week's was to make a canal scene in England. I changed the theme to something else...

Before

After

My novel, "The Soulkind Awakening"

Want to know more about my book, "The Soulkind Awakening?" Follow this link to get information on characters and storylines. 

Cohesion of water: pouring water down a string!

Water has some unique properties. It can be poured down a string because of its adhesive and cohesive properties.
Try it at home! Soak a 2 foot section of cotton twine/string in water, and then pour some water across it to another cup.

You'll see the water stick to the string first (adhesion) and then as you pour it down the string, the water will stick to other water molecules (cohesion). 

Failed Disney Attractions

The Bambi Shooting Gallery was never very popular at Disneyland

At the Newport aquarium field trip we spotted a rare creature in one of the tanks...

My winning Photoshop entry in last week's Kotaku's shop contest

On Kotaku each week they have a photoshop contest.

I am honored to have won it this week! 

My kids and their love of Rayman, the videogame

My two kids dig the videogame, Rayman. They wrote letters to him asking him over for a playdate.

If you made these, you had a great childhood

Jace made this bow and arrow today. Set up a little target on the porch, as well. Another proud fatherly moment. 

Just a little something I saw in my mind today.

Punch it!

Photoshop steps inside

Geography Problems in Middle School

Here are a few things my students say regarding geography:

Every time I hear it this is what I see in my mind

Yes, when parents ask about Khan Academy, I am often found screaming this at them.
You know, the right people get me.

Newton's First Law of Motion...Quick Demo

Newton's First Law of Motion states that: "An object in motion stays in motion and an object at rest stays at rest unless acted upon by an unbalanced force."

That ball bearing in the video wants to remain in place (it has what is called "inertia") but only if you can overcome the force of friction between the ball and the playing card.

If you move the card slowly, you don't overcome the force of friction and the ball moves with the card.

The same thing happens when you pull a sheet of paper out from under a book. Or even a tablecloth from under a place setting... Don't try that at home!

Have any other demonstrations that apply to this principle?