Essays, books, articles, and other written work by Christopher Sharits

The worst part of bariatric surgery - supplements/vitamins

noreply@blogger.com (Chrsitopher Sharits) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 03:30:00 +0000

So they tell you over and over that you'll have to take bariatric vitamins/supplements everyday for the rest of your life. Not a big deal. I've always taken vitamins and received B12 shots every month. You need the vitamins because you will eat like 2-3 oz per meal and it is usually animal and soy based proteins. If you don't eat proteins you'll get sick and lose lots of hair.

Before my surgery I ordered some vitamins from a popular and reputable bariatric supplement company. I'm sure that if you google bariatric vitamins that this company would pop up in the first three listings in and below the paid ads. I ordered the cherry flavored. The problem is that they smell like cherry and taste like poop. Seriously, I gag every time I take them.

I highly recommend these

But, I did some more research because I was sure there was something better out there. I found out that almost everybody on the review for my vitamin and many others hated their taste. But, I did find one vitamin that got solid reviews and everyone said they tasted great and they were cheaper than the ones I ordered. They were, of all places, at the Walgreens right down the street. They were nearly half the price and they do taste great. Kind of like a vitamin C orange flavor with no after taste. They are from a company called "Optisource" for $25.00 for 120 tablets. If you've had the lapband you should chew up three to four a day.

Just to back up this story; my wife tried to eat one of the old ones and immediately spit them into the toilet and rinsed her mouth out and brushed her teeth frantically. I had to laugh. Then she ate one of these Optisource chewable tablets and she didn't throw up. Rather, she agreed with me and the other reviewers. These vitamins are as powerful as the others and they taste fine.

Sunday June 5th, 2011 - writing re-direct

noreply@blogger.com (Chrsitopher Sharits) — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 01:40:00 +0000

I continue to write the occasional freelance article, but I'm concentrating on finishing the book. You can read parts one and two (half the book) at nightinpositano.com
Thanks for visiting

Wednesday November 10, 2010 - New York City trip

noreply@blogger.com (Chrsitopher Sharits) — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 17:27:00 +0000

I am still writing for the Examiner. Since I published my first article with them in September 2010, I have had 16,500 readers. I have two columns:
http://www.examiner.com/online-learning-in-denver/christopher-sharits-m-ed
http://www.examiner.com/john-hickenlooper-in-national/christopher-sharits-m-ed

The great news is that John Hickenlooper won so now I have the national Colorado Governor column. Cool! In addition, my subscribers went way up as did my fan list. The Board of Education in Jefferson County follows my online learning column which is pretty cool. They send me emails of support which is real nice of them. I'm starting a portfolio of supportive letters and emails. I've already got over a dozen. Oh yeah, and one hate mail which I also printed out for my portfolio.

In December 2010, I will add three more weekly columns with a separate publisher and I should begin my work with the Spanish publisher before the end of the year.

I have pushed back my expected publication date of my book to March 2011. I just don't have it where I want it yet. Between now and then I will start fielding publishing agents, but if I fail to find an agent or publisher, I will probably self-publish on Lulu.com or something. I can have it available as an e-book by Spring and then a hard cover by end summer 2011.

Looks like the transition from manager/salesman to writer is complete. Later this afternoon my wife and I will catch a plane to NYC for three days of meetings and VIP museum tours. And, on Thursday night we are going to the Broadway musical Addams Family with Nathan Lane. Very excited. I'm sure I will fly home with yet another writing contract. Thank you Lord. I get it. Now make it rain money. Cool. Love you!

Thursday October 21, 2010 - writing assignments

noreply@blogger.com (Chrsitopher Sharits) — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 05:09:00 +0000

I have two columns and maybe more writing assignments after tomorrow.
Right now you can read my Online learning column at http://www.examiner.com/online-learning-in-denver/christopher-sharits-m-ed

And my National John Hickenlooper Examiner column at http://www.examiner.com/john-hickenlooper-in-national/christopher-sharits-m-ed

Sorry, too tired to go on. Took too much time writing gubernatorial debate summary http://www.examiner.com/john-hickenlooper-in-national/quick-recap-of-the-oct-13th-colorado-gubernatorial-debate

Thursday October 7th, 2010 - Colorado elections

noreply@blogger.com (Chrsitopher Sharits) — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 03:44:00 +0000

Well, I thought it might be fun to rattle some political cages by suggesting that online education threatens the public school system. Everyone likes to call themselves the education God, but the truth is that their true colors come out when you ask them something of particular subset of education. I have found my interviews with the Colorado candidates interesting and revealing. Bob Kinsey is old school. He hate texting. Paul Fiorino supports the integrated model. and Buck, Tancredo, and Hickinlooper's camps have contacted me and I may get a few more responses in the morning.

Here is the story that kicked off my series on the politics of online education...
http://www.examiner.com/online-learning-in-denver/does-online-education-threaten-the-k-12-colorado-public-school-system

http://www.examiner.com/online-learning-in-denver/the-politics-of-colorado-online-education-u-s-senate-candidate-bob-kinsey

http://www.examiner.com/online-learning-in-denver/the-politics-of-online-education-colorado-gubernatorial-candidate-paul-fiorino

Saturday October 2, 2010 - The baby made me sick

noreply@blogger.com (Chrsitopher Sharits) — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 00:37:00 +0000

I don't feel good. Here are the last two stories I wrote for the examiner

http://www.examiner.com/online-learning-in-denver/the-online-education-strategy-for-colorado-s-unemployed

http://www.examiner.com/online-learning-in-denver/free-online-college-education-for-colorado-public-high-school-students

Wednesday 29th 2010 - Self publishing

noreply@blogger.com (Chrsitopher Sharits) — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 02:12:00 +0000

A friend recommended that i look into Lulu.com which is a self-publishing site. Check it out. I think I may do that. At least for the e-book. Now, I really want to finish the book. I'd like it to be available by Christmas or the spring. I don't suppose it would matter too much. ASAP. I'll stick to that.

I have, to date, written 18 articles for examiner.com. The last three are listed here...

http://www.examiner.com/online-learning-in-denver/denver-s-automotive-service-pros-are-using-online-training-for-ase-certification

http://www.examiner.com/online-learning-in-denver/csu-s-online-green-building-and-leed-prep-certification-program-begins-today

http://www.examiner.com/online-learning-in-denver/csu-s-online-green-building-and-leed-prep-certification-program-begins-today

Saturday September 25th, 2010 - First Chapter of my book Positano

noreply@blogger.com (Chrsitopher Sharits) — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 23:28:00 +0000

Today I had to go through the first ten chapters and rewrite them to reflect the past tense due to the devastating fire I create in chapter 16. I basically wrote all day so this is today's entry. Let me know if you like it. I'll post some more every once in a while.

Chapter One

Suicide. It runs in my family. It runs through my blood. Merely speaking the word sends shivers down the backs of anyone within ear shot. They are watching me; always watching me. I don’t know what they expect. It is all around me. You hear it on the news every day. I talk about it with my therapist twice a week. It’s as much a part of me as I am a part of it. They tell me not to think about. My mom says, “Honey, don’t talk about it. Let it go.” She might as well say don’t breath. Suicide. There, I said it again.

I don’t want to die. I know I have a long and beautiful life ahead of me. I have a girlfriend and my life is rebuilding, but, still, it’s there. They don’t understand the difference of awareness and honesty as opposed to the verb. It is an irrefutable part of me. It’s forever in my core. I can’t stop it. The very act or thought of suicide is lurking deep in the dark damp recesses of my mind where no one dares to travel just waiting to strike.

I know the road to death. It is littered with hopelessness, isolation, humiliation, hate, loneliness, loss, and confusion. That night; on that night I felt all of those things. By God’s good grace and caring hand, I failed, but I can’t erase that moment. I hear the gentle waves lapping up the black pebble beach. Swish; swish goes the deep blue sea below me. My crying eyes burn with every salty gust of warm wind. The moon is so beautiful vicariously hanging above the shimmering and endless water. I’ve slowed my panting and I take one final deep breath. I slowly close my eyes and let one foot free. I’m not scared. I can do it. One more step as I felt my body lunge forward and my last foot slipping off of the earth and dangling in the wind as I slowly spin around seeing the surf then the sky then back to the earth.

Pain. I was paralyzed with pain. It hurt to hear, but I could hear. I could hear the ghosts swarming around me speaking in Italian. Then everything went black. I rose again and painfully opened my eyes. I was in a blindingly white room with the rhythmic sound of beep, beep, beep. I couldn’t swallow. Something was in my throat. I could move my arms or feet. They were being held. It hurt to flex my fingers. I realized I was in a hospital. The rhythmic beep was now in a chase as it quickened into a beep beep beep, then I heard people rushing into the room; again speaking in Italian. Then an angel bent down to my ear and said, “It’s going to be okay poor bambino. Just sleep. You’re safe.” My eyes grew blurry and I feel into a half consciousness. I could hear people, then black.

How can I forget that? Seriously; how does one forget that? I’m writing this story today because my therapist said it would be good to write it down and then throw it away. I’ll write the story because I need to. I’ll write the story because I can. I just hope; no I pray, I beg for peace. I just want some quiet. Is that too much to ask?

Sometimes when that moment of terrifying reflection subsides, I wonder what it would have been like to die. Was it as painful as living? Does your light just gracefully fade or do you hang around a while like ghosts in movies? What is heaven really like? I’m sure it’s not like sitting on some stupid cloud looking down at all of the fools. It has occurred to me that I could have gone to hell. That’s what the Catholic Church says. If you take your life into your own hands and deny God’s will you have committed a mortal sin again God. So then I wonder what hell could be like. I seriously doubt that there is any fire involved. Maybe you are cursed to revisit all of your sins and watch the world around your crumble over and over again for all eternity. That would really suck.

I was raised in the church. I’ve been told that God is a loving God and he doesn’t give you more than you can handle. That’s wrong. I couldn’t handle it then and I can barely handle it now. Maybe God does love me. Maybe Jesus died for my sins. Maybe God saved me. Although I live in fear, I am much better than I was two years ago. I’ll go with the God loves you thing, because it comforts me.

I’m free to talk about my new found faith, but not about death. About a year ago I felt compelled to start an anonymous blog. I called it “Suicide Interrupted” and I didn’t use my name or anything that could connect me to this poor soul. However, I did mention it to my best friend and he felt he had to tell my parents and they told my therapist. I tried to explain that the blog was an homage to death, but they put me back into the hospital. They took my clothes; they took my shoe laces and they checked in on me every 15 minutes. For the first 72 hours I didn’t see anyone except for my parents and nurses. I was there for a week. In some weird way, the mental ward is a comforting safe place. They tell you when to eat, when to sleep, when to do anything, but it’s safe. I still wouldn’t recommend publishing a blog.

Friday September 24th 2010 - Spam, scams, and viruses article

noreply@blogger.com (Chrsitopher Sharits) — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 23:22:00 +0000

Examiner article by Christopher Sharits 9-24-10

Defend yourself against computer viruses and online scam artists

Right now there are thousands of online predators sitting in dark damp basements just waiting to ambush you and your computer’s hard drive. They come to your home and work through email or offers that really are too good to be true.
Whether it’s a suspicious email or a promotional website or even a quick talking phone solicitor, you can learn some simple and easy ways to identify and repel the onslaught of threats from The University of Denver’s Technology Services'Network Security website -http://www.du.edu/uts/security/ .
This vital website will teach you how to protect your system against viruses, spam, and scams. And, when you think you’ve got it all learned, they have an online interactive “Security Self-Evaluation Quiz.”
DU’s threat risk website will give you the information you need to understand the threat, but usually a quick Google search will supply you with a plethora of websites and blogs broadcasting SCAM! A helpful tip is to run a search on the company or offer while you are on the still on the phone with them or before you explore their get rich quick scheme.
Take some time to learn about current scams like the ever popular and constantly morphing “Nigerian scam” or the “Work from Home scam” that viciously lures our unemployed. Check out websites likesnoops.com or scam.com. Subscribe toscambusters.org for free email updates on the latest scams and frequent the Consumer Affairs’ scam alerts.
Knowledge is power. Surf the internet with confidence and security. A little investment in time on the internet can save you from the determined thief.
Enjoy this article? Receive email alerts when new articles by Christopher Sharits are available. Just click on the “Subscribe” button to the right of the byline.

Friday September 24th 2010 - West Metro Open House news article

noreply@blogger.com (Chrsitopher Sharits) — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 23:18:00 +0000

Examiner.com article

West Metro Fire Training Center’s 2nd Annual Open House on October 2nd

The West Metro Fire Training Center in Lakewood, off of highway 285 and Kipling, is having their second annual open house on Saturday October 2nd between 10am and 2pm. There will be hot dogs al a carte for $1 and a $3 lunch with hot dog, chips, and drink. All of the proceeds will go to West Metro’s educational programs.
They will be giving tours of the adjoining fire station #10 and the training center including their online learning and video conferencing capabilities. In addition, they will hold a family education class; demonstrate a commercial burn on the site’s six-story tower; and a rock climb on their brand new climbing wall.
Last year’s open house was held on October 10th in foul winter weather, but they still had between 2,000 to 3,000 guests. Lakewood resident Cheri Sharits said, “It was cold. It was packed. And totally cool.” The forecast for this year’s open house is sunny and 75 degrees.
West Metro Community Outreach Director, Cindy Matthews, said, “We want the public to know how thankful we are for the bonds that paid for this state-of-the-art facility.” In 2007, voters approved a $43 million dollar bond issue that financed the training center and five new fire stations as well as needed repairs at other stations.
Regarding this year’s open house, Matthews added, “The weather will be nice and we are looking forward to a crowd.” Come out and share the day with our firefighters. After all, everyone wants to be a fireman.

Thursday September 23rd, 2010 - Examiner article on bariatric surgery

noreply@blogger.com (Chrsitopher Sharits) — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 23:20:00 +0000

http://www.examiner.com/online-learning-in-denver/obesity-denver-find-the-facts-and-the-best-denver-surgeons-online

Obesity in Denver – Find the facts and the best Denver surgeons online by me

Losing weight is easy. Consume fewer calories than you burn and you will lose weight. Yeah right. Dr. Richard Tillquist from Colorado Bariatric Surgery in Englewood said, “Most people can stick to a diet for up to a year, but very few can stick with it beyond that.”

Take a look around. See any overweight people? Believe it or not Colorado is one of the fittest states in the union. According to The National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (CDC), Mississippi is the fattest state with 35% obese (adults) while Colorado is the fittest state with only 19% obese.

Obesity is the leading preventable cause of death worldwide. Childhood obesity is on the rise at an alarming rate. Obesity has been linked to diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and stroke as well as certain kinds of cancer.

Obviously a low calorie diet and exercise is the best way to lose weight, but for hundreds of obese people in Denver losing weight is more frustrating then I-25 during rush hour. For those people who are experts on losing and gaining back weight, weight loss surgery may be an option.

The first thing that people need to know is theirBody Mass Index (BMI). If your BMI is greater than 40, then you are considered to be morbidly obese and surgery should be considered. Types of weight loss surgery range from the rather invasive gastric bypass to the lathroscopic “Lab-band®” or “Realize-band®.” To learn more about each type of surgery, consult WebMD.com.

There are over 40 bariatric surgeons in Colorado. Check with your health care insurance on plan coverage. Most surgeons can offer or refer you to various financing options. Most insurance will only apply benefits to surgeons with the “Center of Excellence” designation. To find a qualified surgeon in your area, visithttp://www.gastricsurgeon.com/doctors/colorado .

Monday September 20th, 2010 - Governor article published today

noreply@blogger.com (Chrsitopher Sharits) — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 18:15:00 +0000

Getting to know Colorado’s 2010 front running gubernatorial candidates online

On Tuesday November 2nd 2010, Coloradoans will choose a new state governor. Our state economy is hurting. We are hurting. We need jobs and we need them now. We need to take the lead in responsible energy creation and we need to fix our ailing public school system.

This may just be the most important vote in Colorado’s history. We have three motivated and determined candidates in John Hickenlooper, Dan Maes, and Tom Tancredo. Each purports to have the answers. We hear them on TV; we hear them in the news, but are 30 second sound bites really enough?

Fortunately, today we have the Internet and each of these fine candidates have provided us with thorough and transparent websites. Each of the sites provides easy links to their vision, their qualifications, and their biographies.

You can glean little pieces of their vision and so forth from their commercials, but their websites offer so much more. The voters can read, in detail, their positions on the issues, press releases, news, endorsements, event schedules, and ways to contact the campaign. Each of the sites provides a prominent link to contribute to their campaigns as well as the various ways to volunteer.

Today’s campaign websites have reached a new level of online evolution; the dawn of the social networks. Each of the candidates has been thrust into the virtual worlds of Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

As if it wasn’t enough to know about their issues and visions, now we need to know where they are and what they are doing at any given moment. We need to know what they are thinking in 140 characters or less.

Their websites:

John Hickenlooper - http://www.hickenlooperforcolorado.com/

Tom Tancredo -http://www.tancredoforgovernor2010.org/

Dan Maes - http://www.danmaes.com/

Saturday September 18th, 2010 - Firefighter Article for the Examiner

noreply@blogger.com (Chrsitopher Sharits) — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 19:20:00 +0000

Today's Examiner article. Rest of day? Play

West Metro Fire Training Center is using online learning to keep you safe

The West Metro Fire Training Center in Lakewood, off of highway 285 and Kipling, is using hands-on as well as online training to prepare our firefighters for the routine call to the very worst emergencies.

It may be the worst day of your life. Whether it is a life threatening or life altering accident or fire, even in our darkest hour, we breathe a sigh relief when we see that fire truck with all of its lights blazing and men and women wearing their protective coats and hard hats round the corner. We trust our firefighters to be well trained and prepared for any emergency that may happen.

On any given day when you pass by the Lakewood training facility you can see firefighters boldly trekking their heavy equipment up the six story training tower or using the Jaws of Life on destroyed vehicles. This training center offers firefighters practical training from tower repelling, rock climbing, office and apartment rescue, to rescue crews and their dogs searching for victims in fallen rubble.

In addition to the practical training, the center boosts state-of-the-art 21st century training classrooms equip with video and computer online training. Students and experienced firefighters can complete online introductory classes to recertification classes online from the governmentFEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) to the National Fire Academy (NFA) to emergency training service companies likeTrainingDivision.com.

The training center also facilitates video conferencing from its outlying fire stations. Firefighters can participate and view interactive classes, lectures, and videos from their stations online, thus, increasing efficiency and productivity without removing them from their assigned stations.

The West Metro Fire Training Center expands the traditional on-site training paradigm to the flexibility and individualization of self directed online learning. Through the utilization of modern technology and good old hands on learning, our firefighters remain trained and prepared to protect and serve.

Friday September 17th, 2010 - Today's Examiner post

noreply@blogger.com (Chrsitopher Sharits) — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 01:47:00 +0000

Senior citizens are jumping on the Internet bandwagon in droves

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as the “baby boomers” hit retirement age, the U.S. senior citizen population will grow by as much as 40% and fully double to 90 million by 2050. In 2005, the Kaiser Foundation’s National Survey of Older Americansreported that only 31% of seniors over the age of 64 had ever gone online as compared to 70% of seniors between the ages of 50 to 64.

Today’s seniors are using the internet to send email, to conduct research (particularly, medical), to keep in touch loved ones, and to take online classes. Indeed, the use of social networking sites like Facebook.com and video conferencing facilitators like Skype.com among the senior population is skyrocketing.

Free programs to educate Denver seniors on the computer and the Internet becoming readily available through senior living facilities like Denver’sMorningStar Senior Living and North American based Holiday Retirement.

Companies like Denver based Modern Senior Technologies (MST) specialize in senior learning. Their entry level programs include basic computer and Internet 101, a full hour class dedicated purely to Facebook, and a course on basic security and virus definitions. MST Director of Marketing, Mike Fette said that they “additionally offer one-on-one fee based services for seniors looking beyond the basic.”

The Internet continues to grow faster than a speeding bullet and, much like the rest of us, seniors are quickly hopping on the bandwagon. Today’s generations of online seniors are able to access more information and communication than any demographic in the history of man.

Enjoy this article? Receive email alerts when new articles by Christopher Sharits are available. Just click on the “Subscribe” button to the right of my byline.

Thursday September 16th, 2010 - My bipolar disorder

noreply@blogger.com (Chrsitopher Sharits) — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 18:49:00 +0000

Today I would like to write about my bipolar disorder because mental health is imperative to general health and my ability to produce good work. If you can't shake the downtime and learn how to manipulate the uptime you will be missing positive opportunities.

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. Symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe. They are different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through from time to time. Bipolar disorder symptoms can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide. But bipolar disorder can be treated, and people with this illness can lead full and productive lives.

My late father committed suicide in 1993. He was 50. My grandmother committed suicide when I was a baby. She was 50. My uncle went early. I think he was in his mid-30's when he jumped off of a building. Several of my grandmother's family committed suicide. They were all manic-depressive (bipolar).

You really should see the clinician's faces when I start with that. I can almost hear them write "needs 72 hour suicide watch." To tell you the truth I do think about suicide, but I'm only 45 so it would be premature. I'm kidding, however, I do think about suicide. I almost tried. I had a plan, but my wife slapped my ass in the hospital.

That was 2001. I had just lost a $10 million dollar venture capital bid for my fledgling company. I was the CEO. I was under more pressure than I could handle. I started to drink beer then rum. It didn't help. I fell apart and landed in the "holiday inn" (mental facility) for the first time. They diagnosed me bipolar. I used to tell my wife that I felt as if something chemical was wrong with me. I was right. All the signs; all of my life, had pointed towards bipolarity.

I had a doctor tell me that I was the worst kind of bipolar: manic-manic. I do have panic attacks and I do feel overwhelmed by anxiety occasionally, but I wouldn't really qualify those as depression. She said that I was the worst because I fed on mania. She said I liked being super manic. I'm normally running on manic, but I can kick it up to the point where my family becomes concerned and they don't particularly like me. I love it because I can do a million things at once.

I always think I'm so smart and capable that everything I touch turns to gold, but then I come back and realize that I was fooling myself. In the mean time I would torment my family because I am short and overly determined to do what I want to do. I think I can walk on water and everyone should leave me the hell alone. My wife is my watchdog because I usually can't tell when I have crossed the line. Sometimes it's a real bitch to settle down even when I know I'm over the limit.

For many years after 2001 I felt bad and I would make urgent appointments with my doctor, but I stayed out of hospitals. In 2007, I was diagnosed with leukemia among a laundry list of crap. I corrected everything over the next few months, but I couldn't control my platelets or my weight. By November, I had blown up to 456 pounds.

They finally put me in the hospital and I lost 50 pounds on IV lasix and then I stopped eating. I ate a tiny bit, but everything started tasting like copper. I ate enough to keep me from passing out. I was losing two to three pounds a day. Some days I lost five pounds.

By the end of December 2007 I had lost 70-80 pounds. My meds went crazy and toxified my system. I went into the holiday inn completely psychotic. I was in a hallucinatory state for three weeks. I couldn't remember anyone's name except for my wife. I had a special friend who lived in my bedsprings. He looked like a cross between a dead harry potter and gollum.

I finally got out, but my outpatient status lasted a long time. Finally, after a year or so, my mind reached 100%, but my body was still shit. Shortly after that I began losing weight by becoming a strict vegan and an extreme worker outter dude (new words aka sarah palin).

I am much healthier today, but I still keep pilling more and more on my plate. I have at least 8 projects going on right now. If one of them tanks, the others may suffer because it is completely feasible that I will have an episode. Sometimes I feel like I am on the edge of madness, but I fight back and move forward. I know I'll have to go back to the holiday inn at some point. I do like feeling safe and nurtured. But, I don't need that right now. Everything is turning around for me.

My fluctuating mental health is my personal weight challenge. When I get manic I eat. And eat. That is the real reason I have gained weight back. I have been on high mental alert since January of this year. Staying healthy and stable took priority and calories did not. I've been trying to get back, but financial issues have kept me on edge. Soon I hope I can get a grip. As for today, I will do my best to diet. Humm. That was a long post. sorry. Now I have to write an article on free online education for denver senior citizens. Later. I apologize for any grammar errors. I don't have time to read back through it. If you like hearing about my deepest secrets,follow this blog.

Wednesday September 15th, 2010 - Senior's online

noreply@blogger.com (Chrsitopher Sharits) — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 01:20:00 +0000

Today was great. I enjoyed writing the following article and I did enough research to write a spin off article about seniors living at home and public access learning.

Christopher Sharits M.Ed

Denver Online Learning Examiner

View all of Christopher's articles

Denver's MorningStar Senior Living is rolling out an ambitious computer and Internet training series

September 15th, 2010 4:18 pm MT

Grandparents rule!

Photo: by surlygirl

On Thursday October 7th, 2010, MorningStar Senior Living’s Dayton Place Denver will begin classes on “Basic computer knowledge 101.” The first meeting of this pilot course presented by Denver’s Modern Senior Technology, Inc.™ begins at 10:30am and is scheduled to run one hour.

Kevin Tong, MorningStar’s Life Enrichment Director at Dayton Place, said that if this course is received as well as anticipated, they may expand the program to their other Colorado communities. “We want to offer a class that helps our experienced and inexperienced residents on the computer and the Internet.”

Tong explained further that, “We have received numerous family requests for online social networking training.” One of the pitfalls of senior living is keeping in contact with friends, sons and daughters as well as grandchildren.

One of the primary objectives of the program is to introduce the residents to social networking websites like Facebook.com™ who now has over 500 million registered users or the 26 million micro-blogging users of Twitter.com™.

Perhaps the most useful social networking phenomenon for seniors is Skype.com™. Originally used by companies the world over, Skype now has over 600 million registered users from both the private and public sectors. Through the utilization of Skype’s online video conferencing, seniors can video conference with their families in “real time.”

Opening communication channels may not be the most significant benefit. According toMedicineNet.com™, “several studies also have suggested that people who engage in intellectually stimulating activities, such as social interactions… significantly lower their risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.”

MorningStar’s quest to expand their resident’s knowledge through the utilization of the computer and the Internet will not only enrich their lives; it may even extend it.

Enjoy this article? Receive email alerts when new articles by Christopher Sharits are available. Just click on the “Subscribe” button to the right of my byline.

Tuesday September 14th, 2010 - Did it and then some

noreply@blogger.com (Chrsitopher Sharits) — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 04:15:00 +0000

Today was run around day. Take my wife to work in Saudi Aurora (nickname for Aurora since it is soooo far from our home) and later in the evening pick her up. In between, I was the Bobby chauffeur picking him up from school and taking him to his orthodontist. Nonetheless, I did get two articles published...

http://www.examiner.com/online-learning-in-denver/colorado-dental-offices-are-training-on-virtual-online-simulators-to-make-same-day-crowns

http://www.examiner.com/online-learning-in-denver/10-things-you-need-to-know-before-you-dive-into-the-college-online-classroom

Tuesday September 14th, 2010 - Two more Examiner articles knocked out

noreply@blogger.com (Chrsitopher Sharits) — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 04:15:00 +0000

Today was run around day. Take my wife to work in Saudi Aurora (nickname for Aurora since it is soooo far from our home) and later in the evening pick her up. In between I was the Bobby chauffeur picking him up from school and taking him to his orthodontist. Nonetheless, I did get two articles published...

http://www.examiner.com/online-learning-in-denver/colorado-dental-offices-are-training-on-virtual-online-simulators-to-make-same-day-crowns

http://www.examiner.com/online-learning-in-denver/10-things-you-need-to-know-before-you-dive-into-the-college-online-classroom

Monday September 13th, 2010 - Writing my butt off

noreply@blogger.com (Chrsitopher Sharits) — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 03:54:00 +0000

Today's second article was about Christian online curriculum. http://www.examiner.com/online-learning-in-denver/colorado-christian-university-offers-student-s-online-faith-based-curriculum Tomorrow I'll complete an article on online simulator training and something else. Maybe online learning for senior citzens. Yup, that will do just fine.

Colorado Christian University offers student's online faith based curriculum

September 13th, 2010 5:19 pm MT

Faith based education still adheres to Biblical doctrine

Photo: sxc.hu

Lakewood based Colorado Christian University (CCU) strives to provide students with flexible and personalized curriculum which includes 29 online accredited bachelor and graduate programs. Their online programs facilitate enrollment from on-campus students as well as students from around the world like those serving in the military, out on missions, or simply from anyplace off-campus.

Most contemporary Christian schools are far more than an extension of Sunday school. They serve to prepare graduates for the real world. Borrowing a phrase from the Chronicles of Narnia, most Christian schools exist not to shelter; rather, they strive to be “not safe, but good.”

Online Christian institutions of higher learning are designed to work around the busy schedules we all face these days. Online higher education programs are not merely interactive self-paced animations. Much like CCU’s programs, online students read real books, write real essays, share documents, participate in online group chat discussions and work on team projects.

It is far more interactive and structured than one would think. Online student’s face real accredited courses that rival and even exceed the workload requirements for in-classroom learning.

Secular online courses do differ from Christian courses in the text that spirituality and faith are intertwined with the same core classes as traditional schools.

As stated in CCU’s greeting from Bill Armstrong, the distinguished university president, their mission is “to cultivate knowledge and love of God in a Christ-centered community of learners.”

Colorado Christian University’s online programs enable students to accelerate their faith based studies either within the campus environment or without ever setting foot on the campus.

Hey! Visit my sponsors!

Monday September 13th, 2010 - Ezine article on homeschooling laws

noreply@blogger.com (Chrsitopher Sharits) — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 19:16:00 +0000

I write local online learning specific articles for the Examiner. Anything outside of that topic, i publish on Ezine Articles. Here's one that was published today. http://ezinearticles.com/?Colorados-Homeschooling-Laws-Make-It-Easy&id=4992354

Colorado homeschooling laws make it easy

There are many reasons people chose to home school their children. Some turn to home schooling because of religious convictions, some because of disabilities, some live so isolated that traditional schooling is logistically prohibitive, and many are simply fed up with the implosion of the public school system.

We have all heard that our public school system has fallen behind other western countries, but how bad is it really? We are ranked 33rd in reading behind countries like Turkey and Mexico. We are ranked 27th in mathematics and 22nd in science.

A growing number of parents think they can do better. In the United States there is an estimated 3 million homeschooled students. Today in the state of Colorado there is an estimated 9,300 students and that number is reported to be increasing by 15% per year.

Colorado state laws are homeschooled deregulated at best. In 1988, Colorado Senate Bill 56 exempted home school instructors from certification requirements. They are required to notify the local school district of their intent to home school 14 days prior to beginning their home program. The parents or instructors are additionally required to maintain records of attendance and immunization. Homeschooled students are required to be tested or evaluated in the third, fifth, seventh, and ninth grades. It is up to the parents if they want to be tested with the Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP). Students wishing to continue to college must take the SAT in the 11th grade.

Other than that, homeschooled teachers have a wide berth when it comes to what subjects they teach, how they teach them, and when they teach them. Some of Colorado's homeschooled students are educated through a concept called "unschooling" or "open classroom" where they learn from life's experiences. Rather than a classroom, whether it be in the home or taught virtually, the "unschooled" learn by doing. The philosophy is that most of the lessons from school that have real world applications can be best learned in the real world.

So, what does it take to become homeschooled in Colorado? Not very much, however, if ones goal was to elevate the children's education to that of, let's say Korea, then they would probably structure their schools much like traditional schools with state approved or accelerated curricula and online instruction. Homeschooled students consistently outperform their traditional peers in standardized testing.

Is homeschooling the universal answer to our declining global academic ranking? No. Our society as a whole requires a strong and effective public school system; however, Colorado makes homeschooling a viable alternative.

Sunday Sept 12, 2010 - Examiner Article

noreply@blogger.com (Chrsitopher Sharits) — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 01:50:00 +0000

Jefferson County Public School's credit recovery program helps high school student's graduate

September 11th, 2010 2:44 pm MT

Jeffrey, center, accepts his diploma

Photo: Photo by Christopher Sharits

Jefferson County Public School’s Virtual Academy andcredit recovery programs offer several options for class credit recovery. These programs include night classes, computer based curriculum as well as a variety of additional interventions designed to meet the individual needs of the students. The program facilitates students who…

may not be fully successful in the traditional school environment
who participate in school sports or acting
who require greater flexibility
come from military or displaced families
transfer in from other districts
are returning students seeking graduation
are seeking advanced or additional classes in preparation college
are preparing for life after high school
simply need a fresh start or a second chance

Courses that include core classes like math, English, and history and elective classes like video gaming design. The online courses are generally offered free of tuition to those students under 21 and the night classes are offered at incredibly low tuitions. The courses are offered five times a year.

Recent Bear Creek High School graduate Jeffrey Sharits has the credit recovery program to thank for his victorious on-time graduation. Jeffrey explained, “I was worried that I wasn’t going to get to graduate with my friends.”

He had transferred to Bear Creek from Thunder Ridge High School in Douglas County in need of two missing core credits. “I had to take one online course during school and one at night school. I thought they might be a little bit easier, but I was wrong. They were hard.” With stubborn determination, in May 2010, Jeffrey walked proudly across the Red Rocks Amphitheater stage with his friends.

Saturday September 11, 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Chrsitopher Sharits) — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 02:30:00 +0000

AWESOME! My articles are live with the proper byline and photos. Very happy. Two or three simple short news stories a day and I can stay home and write my book and these silly blogs. Check out my new articles at http://www.examiner.com/user/2624016/2050016/articles

If you like the articles, "subscribe" to them on the button next to my byline. If YOU want to write for the Examiner, let me know. I get $50 per new recruit.

Saturday September 11, 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Chrsitopher Sharits) — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 19:42:00 +0000

They have finally put my profile and first three articles on the Examiner.com

Profile: Denver Online Learning Examiner

"Denver metro K-12 students and parents are staying in touch with teachers online and soon, via text"

"Online search is increasing the options for open classroom learning"

"Online learning is helping Colorado home schooled students compete for college entrance"

Saturday September 11, 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Chrsitopher Sharits) — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 19:23:00 +0000

Remembering 2001.

Re-wrote my "essence bio..."

"The heart is an artist that paints over what profoundly disturbs it, leaving on the canvas a less dark, less sharp version of the truth." ~ Fiction novelist Dean Koontz

My wife has told me for years to pray in detail. While I do believe in God and I do attend church services, I would still say my faith has been intermittent. I am a Christian, however, I have struggled with the idea that any church, any faith, any religion has the exclusive insight on God and His will.

Nonetheless, I was recently faced with another crisis and so I prayed. For the first time I wrote down my prayers. Not so much because I wanted to keep them; rather, I tend to be a visual and tactile learner and writing helps me organize my thoughts. In the beginning of September 2010, God answered my prayers in such a profound way that my faith has never been stronger.

It all began when I was born a poor black child. Sorry, I'm a big Steve Martin fan. I believe a bio should be about the essence of your being and not what you have done or about what you are about to do. I'm a thinker. When I was young they called me a daydreamer. It seems that I have been writing in head my entire life. I am a multi-tasker as if that were a proper verb. At any given time I am reading several books at the same time and I tend to fill my plate with so many projects that it astounds me when I list them.

About a decade ago I had a psychologist tell me I was the worst kind of bipolar. What? Had I misbehaved? “No,” she said. Rather than being manic-depressive, I am manic-manic which is apparently difficult to treat because I like it. As you might surmise, I am always a bit manic, but, I assure you, I can be uncontrollably manic. I can be difficult. I know it's hard to believe, but it's true. I am high maintenance. Thank God my wife is so tolerant and strong. If it were not for her, I would not be here.

So how did God answer my prayer? It was an epiphany of sorts. I have always been a strong believer that everything that you do or that happens to you is for a purpose. But, it's nearly impossible to recognize when you're in the thick of things, but in retrospect, the path holds true.

I needed a job that allowed me to stay home and take care of my family. Working 60 hours a week in an office as I have done over and over in the past simply was a poor option. So how, I asked? I recognize that God has blessed me with the ability to communicate. That attribute made me a great manager and a decent salesman, but it also makes me a good writer. I absolutely love writing. I love talking too, but writing is so organized and passionate.

My prayers were answered with a resounding THERE YOU GO; NOW DO IT! God has further blessed me by facilitating my new writing career. Even though I have been bouncing around in the dark writing this and that and feeling me way towards an elusive end, God said write.

And so I write. I write everything. I am now a professional journalist and fiction novelist. I know; I find it hard to believe myself, but it's true. Somebody has fallen under my spell and has opted to pay me for the very thing I love. God is great.

Muslims often profoundly conclude a conversation with إن شاء الل "'n sha al-la" which means “God willing.” Life is great even though my bipolarity questions it once in a while. I am a husband, a father, and a pretty decent fellow. Instead of seeking the truth, men should seek accountability, honor, and grace. By God's great grace, the rest will fall into place.

September 8th, 2010 - Examiner.com

noreply@blogger.com (Chrsitopher Sharits) — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 04:54:00 +0000

When I was accepted as a contract columnist for Examiner.com as the new Denver Online Learning Examiner I guess I thought it was going to be like any other freelance writing job, but I was wrong. The learning curve and expectations are intense. After I was hired I scratched out a couple of relevant articles and have since gone back in and completely re-wrote them. I spent four hours this morning in the Examiner University and I only took a few courses, but it was enough for me to realize that I needed revise my submitted articles. Fortunately they have publishing tools that allow you to go back and revise even published articles.

After a week of journalistic re-education I only have two polished articles published. They won't be live on my page for a few more days because they are having technical difficulties with their new website. When they are they will be at http://www.examiner.com/x-67194-Denver-Online-Learning-Examiner . Once online you can, and I hope you do, sign up as a follower. The pay structure and bonuses are better than I could have imagined. I have found my new full-time job. In order to meet my financial obligations without relying on the art business, I need to write at least four quality articles a day. Now that I have figured out how this thing works, I should have no trouble cranking out the stories. My main job right now is spreading my network to all of those Colorado institutions that provide or use online learning.

The following is an example of how much I've had to revise my articles. This is the new version of the article I posted here on my last entry...

Colorado's K-12 open classroom education

The Internet is an invaluable resource to locate online learning opportunities from local school districts as well as established online schools, but it is also an awesome tool to locate “open classroom” learning activities for traditional and homeschooled students in Colorado.

The philosophy behind the “open classroom” method of learning promotes real world experiences. Anyone that went to grammar school in Denver can remember the frequent field trips to the Denver Zoo, the Denver Art Museum, the Denver Botanic Gardens, and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

In addition, many school districts in Colorado offer six grade students the opportunity to spend one glorious week deep in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains at open lab.

For example, Jefferson County Public School District’s Outdoor Education Laboratory Program “fosters opportunities for student growth in environmental stewardship through an enhanced awareness, appreciation, and sense of responsibility for the environment, themselves and others.”

While traditional open classrooms offer great hands-on experience, there is a host of not-so-obvious alternative fieldtrips like historic Colorado ghost towns or archeological digs at the four corners Crow Canyon or geology at the Argo Gold Mine and Mill in Idaho Springs.

Today’s K-12 students are exposed to more information and stimulus than ever before. Alternative and bizarre field trips found online offer students the diversity they are looking for.