From Cool to Smoky- A Day in the Life of a Computer Geek: A Photo Essay

This is about my life starting in Cool, CA and our move to the Smoky Mountains of TN. I am the homeschooling 17 year old son of Paul and Gena Suarez, Publishers of TOS Magazine. Please look at my website: www.ShatteringWindows.com

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Ok, everyone!

Posted at 10:43 PM on Jul. 21, 2007

I’ve got a fun contest for you all!

Our dads are more important, special, and NEEDED than some of us might think.

We might take him for granted sometimes.

So to get us thinking in that direction I got a fun contest for you!

This contest is easy; you just simply write a nice detailed post about how great your dad is and why. You’ll have a chance to win a ten dollar gift certificate to the Schoolhouse Store and/or possibly get printed in a future issue (Spring, '08 - Father's Day Edition) of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine along with your blog URL! This contest is not “put on” by HSB. This is just something SuperAngel and I are doing along with the help of BlogBoy and JocelynDixon.

Here are the "contest" rules even though this is NOT officially an HSB contest. It is open to anyone 21 and younger who comes across the contest on my blog, Amanda's, Eric's, Jocelyn, etc. 10 winners will each receive a $10 gift card (no strings attached and shipping is even free) to the Schoolhouse Store. Five winners may be chosen to appear in a Father's Day tribute (next year) in the pages of TOS Magazine (we may ask you to edit your post down for size/clarity if you win a spot in the magazine). Blog URL may be included as well. I, Paulie Suarez, and Amanda Dixon are the judges. Basically, here are the rules:

- Post an entry entitled, "TRIBUTE TO MY DAD" (you MUST title it this way to qualify as a participant).

- Entry can be as long or short as you wish (the longer ones MAY have a better chance of winning).

- Don't just say what is wonderful about your dad - be detailed! Tell us WHY your dad is as terrific as you say he is.

- Once you have posted your entry, come and comment on both Amanda and Paulie's blogs (both of them), giving them the URL where your entry is posted.

- For a better chance of being selected, also post a comment on BlogBoy and Jocelyn Dixon's blogs - provide the URL to your entry in those comment sections - IMPORTANT. BlogBoy and Jocelyn will be consultant judges.

- 21 years or younger please.

- Contest ends August 15. Winners notified August 20.

Does that all make sense?

Ok, then, you can start now!

Post A Comment!

YIPPEE!!

Posted by SuperAngel at 12:14 AM on Jul. 22, 2007

I am so happy that we decided to do this contest. I think it is an awesome way to show our dads how much we appreciate them.
YAHOO!! I am so excited about this!! Can't wait to read everyone's submissions.
As Always,
SuperAngel Amanda
oh yes... I am first commenter!! WOOT!!

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Posted by pianogal86 at 11:05 AM on Jul. 22, 2007

Heyy I posted a (pretty good, imo!) post on this year's Father's Day that made my Gramma cry!

This is gonna be FUN. :D I love writing. And Yeah, I'm under 21. For now. :P

contest?

Posted by SpiderBoy at 7:41 PM on Jul. 22, 2007

what do superangle mean about this contest?

Hi there.

Posted by UndertheSky at 10:17 PM on Jul. 22, 2007

I think what Spiderboy was trying to say is that he could not read the post because the font color is too dark. You might want to lighten it up for the younger ones. :+)

Oh, and by the way, anyone working with TOS cannot have their children enter the contests - just thought you might want to mention that too. :+)

Warmly,
Mrs. K

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Posted by Anonymous at 10:22 PM on Jul. 22, 2007

Note from Paulie's Mama: :)

Actually, TOS kids can enter. This is an "unofficial contest". That said, we do plan on awarding 10, non-TOS related kids the $10 gift certs. However, we encourage TOS kids too to enter as it's such a wonderful assignment for families. We may plan to give additional gift certs to TOS kids whose entries are exceptional. Not only that, five or more kids will be chosen for the Spring issue (Father's Day edition). We want to feature several versions. Some may be TOS kids, some not. So....feel free to enter, everyone! The 10 gift cert winners will be awarded to those kids outside of TOS staff workers but we want them to enter anyway - we may award a few additional prizes to some of them and they still qualify to possibly have their entries printed, too. :)

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Posted by JoeM at 11:49 PM on Jul. 22, 2007

Sounds like a good idea. I'll try to write up a post sometime if I can find time. I know I've written a short one last Fathers Day and it even had funny photos!

Sorry I can't call you tonight, my phone battery was really low so I'm charging it and I'm really tired. I got up really early and been going all day non-stop. I'm ready to crash! Sorry again. I'll call you maybe Tuesday. Tomorrow sounds like another big day again.

Hey dude

Posted by Mo at 9:58 AM on Jul. 23, 2007

Hey dude. Sorry I havn't commented in forever.Thats pretty cool eating,wearing a hat and skatboarding at the same time.How long did it take you to learn that one?Those new pics with the computer are really funny. I'll do a new entry some day.

thanks. . .

Posted by Kalene at 3:08 PM on Jul. 23, 2007

thanks for praying, i havent got any more news yet. its really hard for them to get in contact with us. its like their on another planet. thanks again!

<3 *kalene*

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Posted by Jocelyndixon at 7:27 PM on Jul. 23, 2007

Paulie, Paulie... Your comment wasn't annoying at all.
I am still stuck between a few names for a website. I want to have my own blog like you and Eric, and then a site for my graphics/webdesign business.

And, did you know were the Featured Blogger on the Backyard?

ttyl,
Jocelyn

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Posted by JesusLovesU at 9:56 AM on Jul. 24, 2007

That is a neat contest. I would write something out , but things are kinda crazy here. I will write something, if I have time.

Yeah, I love those crazy frog songs. I think that my favorite is 'I Like to Move it'. :]

Britta

~ Thanks for stopping by...~

Posted by SincerelyAmanda at 12:00 PM on Jul. 24, 2007

I would like to start a new blog on my own site one day (expands your boundaries of webdesign). Eric also mentioned godaddy.com - I'll have to look into it.

My mom suggested that we go ahead and reserve a domain so that I can have my own site for my freelance writing and possibly for selling some of my artwork (as I practice it more often...maybe sell prints and stationary).

I also want to have a point of reference about my writing projects when I send off my script to potential producers (it might shorten the long shot if I can look professional). I want to try writing more scripts and/or books in the future as well.

Thanks for the help and info!

~Amanda~

~ Haha! ~

Posted by SincerelyAmanda at 1:09 PM on Jul. 24, 2007

I meant MY boundaries. That is, I wouldn't have to model my site around a pre-made template. The funny thing is, I probably won't design anything much better my self. It's just a thought.

~Amanda~

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Posted by TrickyNikki at 12:59 AM on Jul. 25, 2007

This contest sounds like a great idea!

I gave you the blogger reflection award. I have no idea how many times you've gotten it now, but I'm sure you can use it again! :)

~Nikki

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Posted by IloveyouGod at 9:34 AM on Jul. 25, 2007

Oh, what an awesome contest!! I will defiantley be doing it---in fact, I've already written my entry and I just need to edit it a bit. So, it will be posted very soon!! Thanks for doing this by the way.

Thank you for your comment, Paulie. I think it's wonderful that you pray for your future wife, and that all young people should! I think she's going to really appreciate that.

I think your avator is 2 cool!!

Have a great day!
Brooke

ok

Posted by musicRme at 4:50 PM on Jul. 25, 2007

ok darthy, i've enterd your challenge! welp...come check it out!

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Posted by Kaitlin at 8:10 PM on Jul. 25, 2007

Hey Paulie!

I'd enter your contest but I'm too lazy and there are no jelly beans being offered as a prize. :) Don't you just love my honesty??? :-)

I'm looking forward to your Calvinism post. No pressure though. :D

-Kaitlin
ps Do you have a Facebook?

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Posted by praisethewarmachine at 12:44 AM on Jul. 26, 2007

I don't know, man. I know that most people have great dads, but I seriously cannot think of one positive thing to say about my real dad.

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Posted by Anonymous at 5:16 PM on Jul. 26, 2007

Hi there! Sorry I haven't commented in a while. Hows the baby coming along?
I hope you are well. Sorry this can't be long, I gotta go :(
Cya lttr
Miss Corn

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Posted by PoorBoyHat at 5:20 PM on Jul. 26, 2007

Hey, I'm looking forward to tomorrow! :P

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Posted by Jocelyndixon at 10:31 PM on Jul. 26, 2007

Hey Paulie! You were given the Blogger Reflection Award again!! TrickyNikki gave it to you! that's 3x.

-Jocelyn

My entry....

Posted by IloveyouGod at 9:42 PM on Jul. 27, 2007

Here's the tribute to my Dad!

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/IloveyouGod/363949/

God bless,
Brooke

please tell....

Posted by IloveyouGod at 10:14 PM on Jul. 27, 2007

Hey,

Would you please thank your Mom for her comment on my post? I don't think she has a blog since she didn't have a link to one---so I'd appreciate if you'd please give her my "great thanks!" for her comment and kind words ;-)

Thanks!
Brooke

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Posted by pianogal86 at 7:14 PM on Jul. 28, 2007

Here's my post!
http://allanne.com/tribute-to-my-dad/

I'm kind of wondering if I should backdate it so I can just change the date for next Father's Day! lol!

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Posted by Mariel at 6:33 PM on Jul. 29, 2007

Hello! I gave you an award on my blog site! Come and see!

Warmly,

Mariel

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Posted by benjaminparrish at 12:00 AM on Jul. 30, 2007

Hey Paul, when you say it nds August 1st, does that mean that no submissions are allowed after 11:59 PM July 31st or after 11:59 August 1st?

RYC:

Posted by SuperAngel at 3:34 PM on Jul. 30, 2007

Glad you got to be first commenter on my post!! Thanks for your support and help with the Chris post. I just don't think Chris is going to change his mind.
OK... I changed some things on my blog... LOL!! It is soo AWESOME!!
I like the shattering Tux, and your skating one. That is just way too cool. I seriously just sit and watch it for hours. It is so funny. I am so amazed that you can flip that skateboard while playing the DS lite. WOWSERS!! OK... not I am not amazed that you can do it, cause you can do everything, but amazed that it is so cool. Does that make sense?? LOL!!
Glad you thought my comments were funny. I actually never thought myself to be a funny person, but it appears I am quite the comic. LOL!!
Welll come by when you do have time. LOL!! Glad you liked the new avatar. Thanks for finding it. It is hilarious!!
THANK YOU for the last letter. I am still working on cracking it. I am running the letters through my program to see what possible words begin and end with those letters. MWHAHAHA!!
!!SUPERANGEL!! !!Amanda!!

A Tribute to my Dad entry

Posted by Anonymous at 3:04 PM on Jul. 31, 2007

Hello!
My name is Samuel and I'm 9.
I'm entering this contest and here's my link:)
http://tinyurl.com/2pbow8
this is posted on my mom's blog

TRIBUTE TO MY DAD

Posted by Anonymous at 9:06 AM on Aug. 1, 2007

Great idea for a contest!

Here is our blog
http://odellsat.blogspot.com/

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Posted by Yankees213 at 10:39 AM on Aug. 1, 2007

Um, could I post stuff that I like to do with my dad?
-Yankees213-

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Posted by christianmusician1 at 9:07 PM on Aug. 2, 2007

Hi,
Here is my tribute:

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/christianmusician1/367116/

just in case that doesn't work

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/christianmusician1

God bless!

Arya

Tribute to my Dad

Posted by vivrh at 10:14 AM on Aug. 8, 2007

My Dad - My Hero
By Sarah Hodgkinson
Written for Fathers Day 2007

My Dad is my hero.
He was born in 1963.
He had a rough childhood.
In 1984, his Mother died.
She was only 50.
In 2000, both his Dad and his brother died suddenly on the same day 4000 miles away from each other.
In 2004, his other brother died suddenly.
In 1998, my Mom and my Dad met at a wedding and became friends.
In February 1999 they were engaged.
On August 14th 1999 me and my Mom married Austin and my Dad.
After that came Emma, Stevie and Jayce.
My Dad is my hero because he puts up with us.
And he works really hard even on his days off.
And he plays with us.
Ive known my Dad was my hero since the day I met him.
He is my Dad and he is my hero and I love him.

You can read more about our family at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/hodgiehouse/

Hey Paul!

Posted by joseph4jesus at 2:44 PM on Aug. 11, 2007

Hey Paul! Thanks for the comment! You've got a great blog! Anyway, I've gtg right now but keep up the good work!

-Joseph4Jesus

Tribute to My Dad contest

Posted by Anonymous at 3:54 PM on Aug. 14, 2007

My name is Alyssa. I am 14. I posted my entry on my mom's blog (I don't have a blog). Please visit http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/servingtheKingofkings/365880/. Thanks!

I have a problem!

Posted by Anonymous at 5:02 PM on Aug. 14, 2007

It's me, Alyssa, again :). I've tried many times to go on Amanda's blog to post a comment but I have been unable to. The error thing kept popping up. I hope this doesn't disqualify me from the contest. I really tried.

A TRIBUTE TO MY DAD

Posted by Anonymous at 6:24 PM on Aug. 15, 2007

My tribute can be found here:
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/kline5/374073/

Tribute to My Dad

Posted by pioneergirl at 11:46 PM on Aug. 15, 2007

Here is my entry.

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/pioneergirl/370356/

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