There were no tracks dedicated to Landscape Design or Land. Architecture-absolutely nothing. So I went to a couple of talks in the “Containers” track. Containers, that’s right. Now this is a good thing to run but to have nothing at all for the entire day on design doesn’t quite make sense . . . especially when they had conflicting tracks on Monday.
Jim Nau from Ball Horticultural had two sessions today; one on the unusual, and the other on: Colorful Containers—How to Use Them. Both of Jim’s talks were very well done. Excellent presentation, great knowledge on the subject, and his images were very good to spectacular. Moreso they reinforced his talk, the images really helped with his presentation. Well done I would recommend him highly if you are looking for a speaker on this subject area.
The other lecturer was Dr. Terri Starman from Texas Aand M on the Nuts and Bolts of creating Dynamic Containers. Let me just say there was nothing dynamic here. As to presentation, well she needs to go back to the 1st grade of PowerPoint, wow, I had never seen so much info on one side . . . book-like.
That’s it for the educational stuff, nothing to really jump up and down about. They pack them in , the Moderators take too long on introductions, then lectures around 45 minutes. This is really old school, and the folks at Ohio State University need to take a long hard look at this venue and program.
I took less than 11 pages of notes in the 10 presentations that I have attended at just over a hair of note per lecture this ranks on the down side of note-taking. How do I know this? I have kept all my note since 1989 for the seminars I have attended. You have? you remark . . . well yes I have, the notes are in 8 1/2 by 11 bound, blank page sketchbooks, I prefer the bound so I can write/doodle images along with the written. They reinforce each other.
This note-taking has made me a better designer, I’m sure of it, there was a big turn in my work as it became more creative and organized. So go to seminars/workshops, take notes, and keep them for latter use. For this tip you can thank me later.
The Whispering Crane Institute 
Rick,
How about sometime in the future you do a blog on giving a power point presentation? The do’s and dont’s. Maybe you already have?
Pat;
That’s a good idea. I will do something on that, it would probably have to be a series of post, I’m guessing.
I would think I would have to post examples either here, or on another site. With some links to other sites where I originally found information.
Good idea.
I would assume you are going to Mallorca/Majorca?
Oo. A power point demo would be cool!
Rick, I look forward to anything you have to say about presentations. You probably gave the best presentation I ever experienced, at the PTN/Stone Foundation gathering in Ohio a couple of years ago. Break a leg with the current one.
Its Mallorca for the last two weeks in September with the S F. I’ve been going there since the 70’s but only worked there recently with their margers (dry stone wallers) A beautiful place with wonderful people, food, wine and the building of terraced walls in the mountains.
Hey Jenn I’ll see what i can do, I hope you looked at Seth’s post for a start.
Mallorca, I’d like to go but two weeks is a long time. I suppose that includes some sort of build/workshop. Too bad Jim Underwood will not make it.