Technology To-Do

I've been thinking that a new laptop is not the only thing on my horizon that needs replacing. My phone is even older (is that possible?) than my computer, I think. A year or so ago it was having some problems with turning itself off, but that stopped.

(Phil, do you want that phone back that you loaned me when my cell problems were happening? It's sitting in a drawer over here and HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHAMP!)

I also have a PDA, of the Palm sort. It's total bottom of the line, about 2 years old, and fading. It doesn't always like to turn on.

Phone/PDA combos aren't new. Of course not. I, however, am new to them.

What I want:
• Ease of use
• Ability to keep backup data at home (mac) and at work (PC) and possibly even somewhere online--easily. Calendar AND contacts. And to sync them with my email at work. And understanding how to do all of this because I'm kind of clueless.
• Good reception and hearing quality
• Not too spendy. (<$150 if at all possible)
• Easy to input data. FWIW, I've gotten adept at Graffiti, and so that's not an obstacle. If you have to input it like you would sending text messages, well....

What I don't need/want:
• Top of the line
• Status
• Flip phone. Unless someone can convince me that they're not as annoying to use as they seem to me.

Other considerations:
• Palm software doesn't play nicely on a Mac. It works OK, but it doesn't let me put enough information (directions, etc) with the appointment slot. There's no "Note" field on the Mac version.
• I have no contract with my carrier, and so am free to migrate. I've been decently happy with my carrier (AT&T then Cingular and back to AT&T), as far as service goes, and the one work cell I had with Verizon service sucked. No reception. Ironic, no?
• At work: My work email sucks. We have to use Outlook. I get more spam than real email. We don't have an IT person to help set this up. I've downloaded other mail software, but I don't know how to set it up (slightly pathetic).

Ok. Running off to an auction now.

Five minutes!

Up and running people. The computer took a picture of me to match up with my stuff. I have no idea where the picture went, and the picture-taking process was terrifying. (The primping was kind of hilarious, though. I wasn't expecting a video camera.)

OK, off to play.

I'll update as issues arise. 

OMG Where did the open apple key go?

On the Peaceable Imperatrix's recommendation, I've opened Photo Booth. I have no idea what it's supposed to do. Fuck. It's that damn video camera again. I don't know what to do with it except take snapshots using the different effects. 

WTF? I set up iChat for my google email account, and as soon as it got set up, a bunch of you (and others) IMed me extremely random shit. 

From Watergirl: "the kentucky derby winner"

From Hrrrl: "okay"

From Pinky: "take the taser"

From Chopper Charles (host of Sin Noticias De Stew's former location) "layter"

From Nice Former Roommate: "Yes, but I could never prove it"

I can only imagine it's from previous conversations. 

Question: How can you tell what applications are open when you look at the doc? There's no immediately obvious marker that something's in use. What am I missing?

Toys!

Guess what came this morning while I was out at a meeting?????

WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!

(I was expecting just the printer)

Look out weekend, here I come.

(Thanks, Mom and Pedro!)

KERFUFFLE

I'm not one to challenge people's thoughts very often, especially people I don't know. I'm of the mind that people have some pretty strong opinions, and I'm willing to say what I think and why, but I'm not going to go all out to change their minds.

It's not worth it, typically, and it is pretty unpleasant to do. People can be assholes.

Especially on the internets. With this hen petition thingy, there's been quite a response on local Durham listservs. Local blogs have mentioned it, too. On the neighborhood listservs, people have strong opinions both ways, but haven't been too over the top in how they communicate their beliefs. Anonymous blog commenters are another story. Anonymous comments tend to be pretty obnoxious.

That's nothing new, though is it?

Bok Bok--Durham Advocacy for Backyard Chickens!

Hey. I need your help.

I want good eggs and some cute chickens! Currently it's illegal in Durham to keep them. Would you please help me out? I'll share the wealth of eggs should I get me some chickies.

You're not obligated to be from Durham, I don't believe, but if you are, it would be great to indicate that. The names and addresses end up being visible, so if you'd prefer some privacy, just put City, ZIP.

If you'd like to talk to me a little bit more about the benefits of happy eggs and backyard chickens, please do comment here or email me directly. I've a gmail account name of lastewie.

See below, and spread the WORD!


Dear Friends,

I have just read and signed the online petition:

"Chickens in Durham"

hosted on the web by PetitionOnline.com, the free online petition
service, at:

http://www.PetitionOnline.com/backyard/

I personally agree with what this petition says, and I think you might
agree, too. If you can spare a moment, please take a look, and consider
signing yourself.

Best wishes,

Stew

By the numbers

Back to work with a vengeance. I am pausing to take a breath after a day-long training in planning and evaluating effective programs to prevent teen pregnancy. When I'm done with my mini-break, it's off to a dinner engagement to celebrate fabulous women who win awards for being kick-ass. I nominated the one who won in the Teen Woman category.

3 meals eaten out at work events today.
2 slinkies
8 mini Koosh
1 blue and green yin/yang symbol molded from Playdough.
2 suits tried on to find something to wear tonight.
0 clothes that fit AND are both weather and event appropriate.
1 pair of boots that won't zip over my calf.
10 minutes contemplating how mad boss would be if I didn't go tonight
2 cups of coffee
12 FOURTEEN hour long day.
2 shades of lipstick used.
15 30 minutes late ETA
12 hours I feel like I could sleep right this second.
1 cute guy at training.
1 cute guy at training about my age.
1 cute and single guy at training about my age.
1 cute, single and gay guy at training about my age.
1 female colleague who rooted that out of him.

Getting this out of the way

I'm going to work today. Wish me Luck.

My MacBook shipped! YAY!

I'm finally making the meatballs I had planned to make on Saturday.

I'm cooking a spaghetti squash I bought sometime this summer. So it's been hanging around what, at least 2 months then? Nice shelf life. The seeds inside had sprouted. Heh.

Lunch will be all local today, unintentionally: meat from the market, sauce from the tomatoes in my garden and that spaghetti squash.

I don't know what to wear.

OK. Time for a shower.