I did something like this once to introduce the idea of annotation to students (as in the sort of annotation done in Harper's), but we used photocopied black-and-white diagrams and crayons...that's me: all the creativity, none of the tech-savvy!

I can't decide whether I'd have students do brain maps, but it might make for an interesting something to start the semester. I think I'll be tempted to do another one sometime; it's great when a bunch of loose stuff is rattling around up there.

Susan, you've given me an idea for my developmental readers, and I thank you for it. Could you explain some more about the assignment?

Derek, what program did you use? Loved the "Noodles On My Back," tune.

Yeah, noodles on my back is dreadfully catchy. I thought I could put it out of my mind, but then I woke up the other day and it was back, dang close to an earworm.

I started with this and used photoshop to erase the stuff I didn't want, fill in the color and add the text. But if photoshop access is an issue, GIMP just came out in new version. I haven't tried it yet, but what little I've read about it is positive.

I can really empathize with the "more coffee" & "bad posture & neck pain" lobes. However, I have a distinct advantage when it comes to brain power. I have trained my brain to create an additional lobe. It's called the More Beer Lobe. "I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.

Re: Lions vs Browns

This is the beginning of the Jeff Gracia era. Enjoy it while it lasts, by next Sunday it may end.

Your map reminds me of a survey I did years ago. It was the land fill site just outside of St. Louis, MI. The one where they burried all the contaminated chickens and then had to dig them up again.

Keep up the good work.

By the way, I use AutoCAD for my maps.

Tomorrow morning when I do my yoga, I'll be meditating on "Noodles on my back." Interesting stuff!

Ah yes, the land fill site and contaminated chickens exhumation. I think you should sell framed blueprints of classic ones like that. Make them available on your site, promote them at art shows, etc.

I probably should have clarified that this view is just one hemisphere of my brain. The more beer lobe, neglected and withered as it is, is on the other side of my brain. But no, I haven't been drinking any beer, which must explain something or other.

I think that my husband has that more beer lobe--it's a very "pour us" structure, huh?

True. Resilient and pour us. I'm optimistic my neglected mb lobe will snap back whenever a break finally rolls around.