The Anatomy of a Fall

I was walking along the street, and I fell. I’m fine, but I can’t believe I fell! I don’t mean to be irreverent, but there’s something really funny about falling in public. 

It happened about 20 minutes ago on the street between my hotel and the convention center in San Diego. I’m here for the International Society for Technology in Education Conference.  sent 13 of us to sharpen our skills and network with other educators from around the country on the best (and next) practices in teaching and learning with technology. 

Back to my fall. I wasn’t walking and texting or otherwise distracted.  I was just walking down the street with my convention bag on one shoulder and my iPad tucked in my elbow. My very fashionable sandal (okay, first mistake) caught on the edge of the sidewalk and I did the telltale stutter step while trying to catch my balance. Didn’t work. Everything went into slow motion and I fairly gracefully started the first half of my fall. 

The second half was more of an “arms akimbo” sort of thing, and time sped back up and there I was sprawled on the sidewalk. As I lay there stunned, other convention goers nearby asked me if I was okay.  A little embarrassed and rather shocked, I quickly answered, “Oh yes, I’m fine.”  As others enjoyed the free entertainment, I gathered up my bag and my unharmed iPad (phew) and got back on my feet. A few more “yes, I’m okay’s” and I was back on track headed to the next conference session. 

Did I really just fall?  Yup, I did. I looked stupid, probably freaked people out and could have really hurt myself.  My fall is nowhere near the level of serious challenges that people face, but the learning is the same. When you fall, get up and keep going. Laugh at yourself and move on to the next big adventure. By the way, I dumped the sandals.