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| Nicippe - Our 5-Year-Old Beagle - She loves to squirm around on the floor. |
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| Nestor - He's about 9 Years and is a Dachshund - Blue Heeler mix. He did this himself; in fact, we've found him this way a few times, so we don't think it's an accident. |
Showing posts with label When Other Labels Don't Apply. Show all posts
Showing posts with label When Other Labels Don't Apply. Show all posts
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Puppy Love
Well, maybe they're not "Puppies" anymore, but we sure do Love them! I was getting pictures off my camera today, and these are two of my favorite recent shots of our dogs. I don't think I've ever posted about our dogs, so I just had to share.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
A New Perspective
I was a late adopter to the smart phone phenomenon, particularly given my job in IT Consulting. When I graduated from college, I still used a Motorola RAZR (There's a new RAZR out now, but I'm talking about that old flip phone that was "amazingly thin" in 2003.) For almost 2 years, I held out against strong peer pressure to get a smart phone - I really didn't see the need to spend $400 on a phone and then spend an extra $30 each month to use it.
Eventually, though, I gave in and decided that the ability to check work email without lugging my computer around was worth the data plan. We have a family plan with AT&T, and at the time (late 2009), the only option that met my criteria for a good smart phone with AT&T was the iPhone. The 3S was already released, so I was able to buy a refurbished iPhone 3G for $50 from our employee discount program (I still wasn't going to pay a lot for the phone).
I had that phone for a little over 2 years. For a while, it was quite nice and was a dramatic change to how I used my phone. I never did figure out how to do some things I wanted (I didn't want to deal with jail breaking my phone), but it met my needs. When iOS4 came out, the phone's performance deteriorated significantly. Also, all the apps updated to fit with the capabilities of iPhone 4. My iPhone 3G couldn't keep up. My favorite example was to have someone else with a smart phone click on their Facebook app at the same time I did, and then watch the phones load the app. My phone would take somewhere between 30 - 75 seconds to open the Facebook app... everyone else's phone opened the app in 10 seconds or less (generally less).
Since my iPhone purchase 2 years ago, AT&T has added several Android phones to their options, and I was pleased to get a much more customizable phone... It's a handheld computer; I ought to be a able to customize it like a computer (of course, I've never had an apple computer, but from what I hear, the "no options" thing appears to be a general apple issue). Anywho, I again used my employee discounted phone rate and was able to get a refurbished phone for $0.01! The case I got cost more than the phone!
I research for a while on which phone I would get to replace my iPhone. The HTC Inspire was one of AT&T's first 4G phones. It came out in early 2011, and I patiently waited to see how people reviewed it after having it for several months. (It was very hard to be patient). I finally got my new phone last week, and after about 1 week of ownership - I Love It!
The hardware is nice and sleek, the camera takes much better pictures (If you want an example, just compare pictures in my recent posts - the stocking pictures taken with my iPhone and the Santa Stacker picture with my new phone), the screen is nice and big, and it still fits in my pocket.
The real improvement though is in the Android operating system. I love the widget concept that means I don't have to open my favorite apps to get a quick view. The people app links all my Facebook, Outlook (work), and Google (personal) contacts in one place, with no duplicates. The Google Talk app puts my voice mails into text so I can read them in addition to hearing them (it's not perfect, but still pretty awesome).
I have done a lot of customization, and there's still more that I plan to tinker with to configure it just the way I want. The Android is definitely a more open operating system. I love all the options - It's giving me a whole new perspective on smart phones.
Yay for my new toy!
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| iPhone 3G - My First Smart Phone |
I had that phone for a little over 2 years. For a while, it was quite nice and was a dramatic change to how I used my phone. I never did figure out how to do some things I wanted (I didn't want to deal with jail breaking my phone), but it met my needs. When iOS4 came out, the phone's performance deteriorated significantly. Also, all the apps updated to fit with the capabilities of iPhone 4. My iPhone 3G couldn't keep up. My favorite example was to have someone else with a smart phone click on their Facebook app at the same time I did, and then watch the phones load the app. My phone would take somewhere between 30 - 75 seconds to open the Facebook app... everyone else's phone opened the app in 10 seconds or less (generally less).
Since my iPhone purchase 2 years ago, AT&T has added several Android phones to their options, and I was pleased to get a much more customizable phone... It's a handheld computer; I ought to be a able to customize it like a computer (of course, I've never had an apple computer, but from what I hear, the "no options" thing appears to be a general apple issue). Anywho, I again used my employee discounted phone rate and was able to get a refurbished phone for $0.01! The case I got cost more than the phone!
 |
| HTC Inspire - My New Phone |
The hardware is nice and sleek, the camera takes much better pictures (If you want an example, just compare pictures in my recent posts - the stocking pictures taken with my iPhone and the Santa Stacker picture with my new phone), the screen is nice and big, and it still fits in my pocket.
The real improvement though is in the Android operating system. I love the widget concept that means I don't have to open my favorite apps to get a quick view. The people app links all my Facebook, Outlook (work), and Google (personal) contacts in one place, with no duplicates. The Google Talk app puts my voice mails into text so I can read them in addition to hearing them (it's not perfect, but still pretty awesome).
I have done a lot of customization, and there's still more that I plan to tinker with to configure it just the way I want. The Android is definitely a more open operating system. I love all the options - It's giving me a whole new perspective on smart phones.
Yay for my new toy!
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Spectacle of Spectacles - Revisited
A little while back, I posted about our Spectacle of Spectacles. Well, since then, I had an eye doctor visit myself and got a new prescription... that means: More New Glasses.
If you're keeping count from the last post, I had 2 pairs of prescription glass that I wore in my old prescription: 1 pair of sunglasses and 1 regular pair. I've retired both of those pairs of glasses and added 3 new pairs to the mix. :)
Behold:
If you're keeping count from the last post, I had 2 pairs of prescription glass that I wore in my old prescription: 1 pair of sunglasses and 1 regular pair. I've retired both of those pairs of glasses and added 3 new pairs to the mix. :)
Behold:
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Spectacle of Spectacles
John and I have a minor obsession. Okay, maybe it's better said that John has a minor obsession, and I come along for the ride. John and I both have poor eye-site without the aid of glasses or contacts. John is not able to wear contacts, so it's all glasses for him.
A couple years ago, John discovered the concept of buying glasses online. The glasses are significantly cheaper than buying glasses at the mall, not to even mention buying glasses at the eye doctor. Since John wears glasses daily, he took these inexpensive glasses as an opportunity make the glasses he wears daily a part of his wardrobe that can change.
He watches for sales and new styles. Over time we've purchased many pairs of glasses and I've even gotten in on some of the action. We've also shared our joy with many friends who now buy all their glasses on-line too.
Recently, John went to the eye doctor and got a new prescription, so we had to retire his old glasses and get new ones. We did some thorough pricing, and even with an insurance stipend, it only made sense to get new lenses for 1 of his existing pairs of glasses. For the alternative pairs, it was cheaper to just buy new glasses on-line.
We just finished replacing his alternative glasses. Today, we went through the house and gathered up all the glasses in one spot. We're going to donate the glasses that we didn't get new lenses for, and before we do, we wanted to take an inventory of all the glasses we have.
All you need is your prescription, just make sure it includes your Pupillary Distance, which is not always written in the default prescription format. When we first started, we went to a mall store and tried on several glasses. We weren't looking for a specific pair; we tried on a wide variety of sizes, styles, and shapes to get a general feel for what we liked. Make note of the measurements on the glasses that look like a good size for your face (several of the websites explain the numbers - you can find them all on the glasses stems).
And that's our spectacle of spectacles.
A couple years ago, John discovered the concept of buying glasses online. The glasses are significantly cheaper than buying glasses at the mall, not to even mention buying glasses at the eye doctor. Since John wears glasses daily, he took these inexpensive glasses as an opportunity make the glasses he wears daily a part of his wardrobe that can change.
He watches for sales and new styles. Over time we've purchased many pairs of glasses and I've even gotten in on some of the action. We've also shared our joy with many friends who now buy all their glasses on-line too.
 |
| An inventory of all the glasses in our house. Though many look similar, most of the variety is in the stems, and we couldn't find an easy way to get all the stems in one picture. |
Recently, John went to the eye doctor and got a new prescription, so we had to retire his old glasses and get new ones. We did some thorough pricing, and even with an insurance stipend, it only made sense to get new lenses for 1 of his existing pairs of glasses. For the alternative pairs, it was cheaper to just buy new glasses on-line.
We just finished replacing his alternative glasses. Today, we went through the house and gathered up all the glasses in one spot. We're going to donate the glasses that we didn't get new lenses for, and before we do, we wanted to take an inventory of all the glasses we have.
- 17 Total Pairs of Glasses
- 13 Prescription, Clear Glasses
- 3 Prescription, Sun Glasses
- 1 Non-prescription, Sun Glasses (for me when I'm wearing contacts, but I did buy them online with one of John's other glasses orders)
- 5 Pairs belong to me
- 12 Pairs belong to John
- 7 are in John's old Prescription (only 1 to get new lenses, other 6 to be donated)
- 1 in my old Prescription (going with John's to donation)
- 3 in my current prescription (though 1 pair I never wear, so it's going to donation too - lest you think this lessens the cost savings: In one order, I bought 2 pairs of glasses for $6 each, and one pair I didn't end up liking. We just consider the pair I do wear to cost $12; still an awesome deal)
- 5 New Glasses in John's New Prescription
- If you're counting, that's a total of 8 going to donation, and 9 pairs we still use.
- Max Price: $120 (John's rim-less glass - this is the pair we're getting new lenses for)
- Min Price: $6 (We got 4 pairs of glasses for $24 in one order - that includes shipping - 2 were mine and 2 were John's)
- Total spent on all 17 Pairs, including shipping: $525 (That averages out to $31 per pair of glasses)
All you need is your prescription, just make sure it includes your Pupillary Distance, which is not always written in the default prescription format. When we first started, we went to a mall store and tried on several glasses. We weren't looking for a specific pair; we tried on a wide variety of sizes, styles, and shapes to get a general feel for what we liked. Make note of the measurements on the glasses that look like a good size for your face (several of the websites explain the numbers - you can find them all on the glasses stems).
And that's our spectacle of spectacles.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Hair Ch-ch-ch-changes
John and I have both made some changes to our appearance in the last week. We both wanted to look our best for the wedding. John had a clean, even cut. I had grown my hair long so that I could get curls for the big day.
Two months after the wedding, my hair was long and unmanageable. I finally got my hair cut this past Thursday. It's probably been 3 years since I had a shoulder-length cut. See the previous post from the Horse Track to see my new do.
John has occasionally mentioned since we started dating that he had once shaved his head, and he liked it. He decided that since there's nothing coming up soon, now would be a good time to give it a try again.
Behold... the shiny bald one:
Two months after the wedding, my hair was long and unmanageable. I finally got my hair cut this past Thursday. It's probably been 3 years since I had a shoulder-length cut. See the previous post from the Horse Track to see my new do.
John has occasionally mentioned since we started dating that he had once shaved his head, and he liked it. He decided that since there's nothing coming up soon, now would be a good time to give it a try again.
Behold... the shiny bald one:
Friday, March 25, 2011
Reading
I like to read, but don't really do it much. I read really REALLY slowly, and my eyes get tired reading. When I've finished a day of work, reading sounds like a tiresome activity, so I have many books on the shelves that I want to read, but haven't.
Occasionally, though, I find a book (or more commonly, series of books) that really captures my attention, and I read it as fast as possible. - I should note that "as fast as possible" isn't very fast at all. The last book series I read was 3 short books. Each book took me 2-3 days reading 2-4 hours in each sitting. John read the whole series after I finished it; it took him about 5 hours.
Anywho, most of the time, my interest is peaked by fantasy books... often times, books that are geared toward adolescents. I'm not sure what that says about me. I like realistic stories and books written for adults too, but in recent years, the only books that I've gotten myself immersed in are fantasy, and most of those are written for "young adults."
For example, in the last few years, these are the books that have deeply peaked my interest (again, not the only books I've read, but the ones I've been most "into"):
My newest read is thanks to a recommendation via Facebook from my high school English teacher: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott. (Having only known of one other Michael Scott... I giggle a little at the author's name, thinking of Michael Scott from The Office writing these books, but they're far too interesting to come from the TV character)
The books are certainly written for a younger audience. I find myself repeatedly telling the book "I get it. You told me that detail 10 pages ago," but I know he's just trying make sure to not confuse the young audience while setting up the suspension of disbelief.
Despite the simpler writing style, I'm enjoying the new fantasy world. I just finished book 1, and I got the 2nd and 3rd books at Half Price this week. :)
Occasionally, though, I find a book (or more commonly, series of books) that really captures my attention, and I read it as fast as possible. - I should note that "as fast as possible" isn't very fast at all. The last book series I read was 3 short books. Each book took me 2-3 days reading 2-4 hours in each sitting. John read the whole series after I finished it; it took him about 5 hours.
Anywho, most of the time, my interest is peaked by fantasy books... often times, books that are geared toward adolescents. I'm not sure what that says about me. I like realistic stories and books written for adults too, but in recent years, the only books that I've gotten myself immersed in are fantasy, and most of those are written for "young adults."
For example, in the last few years, these are the books that have deeply peaked my interest (again, not the only books I've read, but the ones I've been most "into"):
- The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
- Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
- The Tripod Trilogy by John Christopher
My newest read is thanks to a recommendation via Facebook from my high school English teacher: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott. (Having only known of one other Michael Scott... I giggle a little at the author's name, thinking of Michael Scott from The Office writing these books, but they're far too interesting to come from the TV character)
The books are certainly written for a younger audience. I find myself repeatedly telling the book "I get it. You told me that detail 10 pages ago," but I know he's just trying make sure to not confuse the young audience while setting up the suspension of disbelief.
Despite the simpler writing style, I'm enjoying the new fantasy world. I just finished book 1, and I got the 2nd and 3rd books at Half Price this week. :)
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