Looking out my window...

iPADs, Purses and O-Rings, Oh My

 

I've been madly looking for an iPAD 2 bag or purse. And not just out of my window. Daily searches online and still I have not found the perfect solution. I want something classic. I love Coach, but now that I'm retired they are no longer within my budget. Ideally it would be small enough to use as an everyday purse (I'm not a switcher like a lot of women). But, large enough to carry my iPAD in it's keypad case.

I have to admit After I ordered my iPAD I immediately looked for a carrier for it. I found what I thought would be perfect and it looked like Coach but much, much less expensive. I may still end up using it but, unfortunately it won't hold anything but the iPAD. It slips in like a glove it fits so perfectly. So, I'd have to use it in addition to my purse.

On one of my on-line searches I came upon what I at first thought might be a good solution. Alas, it wasn't. I had read a review of it and sent the following to the reviewer:

"I have just finished reading your two reviews on the iPAD bags. I noted it seemed that most if not all your comments to the review were made by men. I'm not surprised. Especially with the larger and more expensive one. When I read "O ring" I knew I was in the wrong department. To me they're like tool bags. I mean tools in the garage. The expensive one reminds me of a fishing tackle box. So, thank you. But, no thanks. The bag has to say neutral or girly to me and be functional. I'm beginning to think nothing like that is out there yet. I will keep looking."

I don't know why I felt compelled to comment, except I enjoyed reading his view on the whole matter. Anyway, he seem compelled as well and responded to my comment with the following:

"A fair critique; I definitely review items like this from the male perspective. Having said that, you don't have to look hard to find lots of stylish purses and bags that hold the iPAD that are designed for women. I don't think that I'm the right person to review them, but if any iPAD-using female attorneys want to do so and send me a guest review, let me know! I've noticed that the female attorneys in my office who use an iPAD just tend to carry them in their regular purses. As for the Ristretto bag, note that it comes in lots of different colors, so perhaps you'll find a color that you consider more "neutral or girly" and you certainly don't need to use the pouches that attach to an O ring if you don't want the extra compartments. The bag works great without them, but I must admit that I think that the Ristretto is more useful with them. What a nice person to take the time to comment so thoroughly and nicely. Thank you."

Yup, that's me alright...thorough and nice. And I'm still looking.

Time Marches On...@ The Speed of The Internet

This is for everyone who 1) is not a computer nerd or, 2) is one of my grandchildren (the oldest is currently 17):

 I found the above video on Roger Ebert's Twitter. Thank you Roger.

 

"Remember when" has a whole new meaning these days. "Back in the day" use to mean, oh, maybe a generation ago. Okay, the above video is only 17 years old. And, these are not "hill people" but savvy New York journalists.

Guess what? Time is moving even faster now. It's kinda like living in a time machine...only you can't go backward...yet. 

More Bangs For Your Buck!

 

Copper Hides Under His Bangs 2010.
Photo by Sharon.

A few people noticed I stopped writing. Thank you. My computer crashed from viruses. In case any of you have not experienced this, I have now crashed twice. Let me explain.

My mom asked if I should just buy another computer. Well, not really. I have a friend who fixes these crashes. But, even with backup, you pretty much have to build up the computer just like you've been doing the last year or so doing before the crash. So, unless the hard drive is killed, or worse, there isn't any reason to buy a new computer. Unless, of course, it's time for a new one anyway.

Most everything we experience should provide us with at least one learning point.  This time around I've learned that computers should be turned off when not in use. Especially overnight, 'cause while you're sleeping the viruses are eating up your data and programs. Even if your computer goes into a "sleep" mode. They do this very quietly so as not to wake you up. But, they do it none the less.

Bad people send out viruses because, well, because they can and they're bad people. The attacks come into our computer through various means: worms, trojans, etc. They come in attached to something else, like maybe the chain letters we all receive. The trojans skip by safe guards because they are like the Trojan Horse - the outside is great, but dangers are hidden inside. Worms kind of tunnel in and once deep inside start to devour everything.

More News...

The Chief and I have been watching the news lately. This is something we have not done for a long time. Why? It's depressing. And, we get our news on-line.

But we recently discovered MSNBC: Keith Olbermann, Rachel Maddow, and Lawrence O'Donnell. After that we go to the Comedy channel and watch Jon Stewart and then The Colbert Report. Whew!

In the photo at the top of this post is our super-dog Copper. Copper watches from his place on our bed the same things we do. His now VERY long bangs are intended to send us a message: "I can't watch this political stuff anymore!"

Hmm. I wonder what his reaction to watching Fox would be. We'll never know, because then I would have to hide under my covers with my pillow over my head, and my fingers stuck in my ears.

Nope, not gonna happen.

Best Mouse Buy Ever... In My Humble Opinion.

    

My PC crashed.

My life is on my computer. While recovering from a nervous breakdown and waiting for it to be repaired I use my husband's laptop. It's a given that it becomes mine if needed.

On my pc I use a  roller ball mouse. Have for years and love it. Of course the laptop has that silly touch pad for moving the cursor. I HATE it. So after a couple of hours I decided to plug in the wireless mouse I had bought a few years ago for the laptop that preceded the current one. Tried everything to get it to work, even changed the batteries. Nothing worked. Time to quickly buy a new one.

The one I decided to buy looked good and had good reviews. Even so, any computer equipment purchase always causes the stress of knowing I would have to install it. I placed an order for store pick up. Picked it up and took it home.

First of all, who ever designed the packaging should be making a million dollars. Instead of trying to enter Fort Knox the plastic had a perforated portion  with a red arrow saying OPEN EASY HERE. I was sceptical. My arthritic hands are not strong. Put I pulled and lo and behold I easily ripped that thing apart. I unfolded the huge instruction sheet. There was a total of five steps:

    1. Turn on laptop.
    2. Install mouse battery.
    3. Plug in USB nano receiver.
    4. Congratulations you are ready to use your mouse.
    5. Congratulations again!

I love the fifth step the best.

Anyway, I'm so happy with this mouse I had to share it with you.  And to top it off I was able to use Reward Points earned to bring the price all the way down to $9.99.

Oh, and my PC? I just talked to my friend who is working on it. It was hit badly with trojans, worms and viruses. This is the second time I have had a computer crash on me. The first time was about 1 1/2 years ago. This time I had an external hard drive with backup stored on it.

How did this happen? I wanted to know because I have at least five spyware programs working to keep these things from happening.  The answer is "because." "Because" the viruses that are out there today can immediately kill any security programs you may have. The biggest way to avoid this now is to not download sites known as unsafe: free downloads, emails that have been 'round the world and back (like chain letters).

Oh, and always, always backup your files on an external hard drive!

And, of course, someone like me, who is on-line for many hours a day can expect more problems that those who are not.

Fall, Fallen, Fell and Truth Or Dare

 
 
Robins In Fall On Their Way Home 2010.
Photos By Sharon.

 
Gussie's Tree In Fall Losing Leaves 2010.
Photo By Sharon.

As Seasons roll by, I've noticed that this year, this year Fall seems very short. The leaves are leaving. The Robins are on their way back to the South. The Canadian Geese are returning from the North. The cycle is recycling. (No, I refuse to say that thing they say in "The Lion King.")

And, now for something completely different.

There is a web sight I recommend to all: www.snopes.com . This sight verifies whether some bit of something is truth or urban legend. I find it very helpful when I get "chain" emails. I would never pass along one without first checking with snopes.

And, when I receive one I do take the time to check it out. If it turns out to be not true I generally forward snopes' information to all who either sent and/or received it.

It's especially helpful during election times, when mud is slung with a vengeance.

I got one today. Photographs of a pretty snazzy new prison. Said to be the new Cook County Jail in Chicago. And, of course, paid for by Senator Obama with his vote. That poor man... everything is his fault.

After looking this up via snopes I found the following:

 

 
Function:  Court Building, Penitentiary.
Location: Leoben, Austria.

Someone, please tell me how our current president is responsible for this building!

On The Road Again

Looking at this video, I thought "Why didn't I think of that?"

So many things have been invented during my lifetime couldn't I have at least created "white-out?" The Chief has said that as a child he couldn't think of anything else that could be invented.

But, look at our world today. The inventing has not stopped. Not even now. And, here we have an example of someone looking at two different problems, connecting the dots, and creating a solution.

We need these creative, problem solving people. Creativity at its finest. But, are we teaching today's children how to think creatively?

I'm not so sure.

Hold Your Partner's Hand, Keep Your Name Tags On, And Follow Me

 
Crab Apples In Fall 2010            Photo by Sharon 

 

Validations. They come at the best times don't they?

I've worked most of my life. As a single mother for quite awhile, my life consisted of work and taking care of my daughter. At one point I worked my way up to a Department Manager in our local hospital. I supervised, hired, fired, did budgets, wrote proposals, became accredited in the field. I hated it. I did it very well for about 16 years. But, I hated it and the stress from that hate wore my health down.

After several layoffs at different places I wanted to retire early due to my health...and with the real opportunity of being able to do so, I did (thank you Chief).

My mom told me later she thought I would be unhappy when I retired, losing the validations I received through my job.

But, guess what? I found I could do other things that I never had the time for before. As a volunteer, I learned how to edit videos for broadcasting on our local community television station. It was the first time my "creative" side was demonstrated to the outside world. And I received many good validations for my effort.

My health deteriorated further the last year or so. The editing I loved to do, and did about 40 hours each week, ceased. I became somewhat limited in my physical abilities. Always loving the computer, I decided to try my hand at blogging about 11 months ago.

Recently my mom said to me "Sharon, I didn't know you could write!" Well, I didn't know either. I keep plugging away. Some readers and friends have told me I have a "gift." Sometimes I write about memories, sometimes about current events. Mostly, I write about looking out my window.

And, it's just amazing how much I see from my window. Everyday is like a field trip in my office chair. Right this very moment I am watching the Canadian Geese migrate from one window pane to another.

My hope is I can give a giggle or a warm snuggle to a reader... to someone who needs just that, just then. And ultimately, perhaps, the feeling that they are on a field trip, too.

Join me, take my hand. 

Good Morning, Good Morning, Good Morning

  From YouTube - I'm not making any money on this!

Yesterday (OMG another Beatles song. Just have to hum it to yourself) was not a good day for me.

I tried to get my old palm z22 up and running. I've been using the calendar only on this computer, not the hand held device. Now this calendar has my life on it. Dates, numbers, anniversaries, you know? Anytime someone in my family needs some info they call me. And, I have it. Oops. Not anymore.

It had all appointments for myself and the Chief, and Molly and the kids. It's all gone. I felt lost yesterday. I didn't know who I was or where I was going. Deep, deep funk. What to do, what to do? Didn't have a clue so I went to bed.

This morning I woke up, went to the bathroom, took my hundreds of pills, noted that one needed to be refilled, grabbed the bottle and exited the bathroom.

Husband and dog were still in bed. Copper, the dog, woke up and was sooo happy to see me. He made me happy. As I went over to the Chief, the husband, I started singing/humming "Tea for Two." I gave him a kiss on the forehead and proceeded to perform: humming and singing and tap dancing. Okay, I was tap dancing in my head, but the pill bottle made a good tapping rhythm section so I looked and sounded like I was dancing. Both the Chief and the dog seemed to enjoy it. When I finished, the Chief said: "Does that mean you want tea instead of coffee?" 

I have no idea why that song was in my head. Nor do I know why I sang and danced. Sometimes these things just come over me. I can't resist. Besides, we all have fun. If not now, when?

So, there I was all giddy as I approached the office. And then it hit me. Dear God, I don't have my calendar! I had completely forgotten it. No... what I think I did was let go of it. That is why I woke up happy. The calendar was gone and I can't do anything about it. I will of course start a new one, but the old is gone, gone, gone.

On a different note, sometimes I get "down" about my blog. Questioning myself, is it any good, has it any value, do people enjoy reading it?

I seldom get feedback. I know the Chief enjoys it. And I certainly, for the most part, like doing it. I do not, in anyway, think of myself as creative, or artistic, or humorous, or anything else other than curious. Well, I think I do know when something looks "right." My biggest character fault is that I try to be perfect, well practically perfect in every way. And, of course I fail at that. I'm always imperfect.

So, to help my perception of self a little, I would like to copy here one or two comments I've received either via my blog or email.

"I really enjoyed your blog, Sharon. You impress me with your writing. I do believe it is your gifted talent. I also enjoy looking out the window. It is sometimes what gives me a boost for the day. I enjoy sunrise looking out our back windows. Recent sunrise has been almost orange in color - a fall treat! I do not know how this works, but you can teach me. I think it could be so enjoyable." K 

"I enjoy reading your blog, Sharon.  It's evident what pleasure you get from looking out your window and reporting the birds and daily happenings in the house.  I've added creative writing and photography to your many talents observed over the years.  Enjoy the day."  Carol

"Lots of great photos in your blog. Hadn't looked at it since your first notice. You must continue with your writing. I do have positive thoughts going "your way" my dear. Know you are needed in so many ways in this community." MKJ 

"Thanks Sharon.....what a wonderful blog!!  The adoption of the dogs was so interesting to see.  The story of the Cardinals was something I didn't know.  Thanks for sharing....." Dorine

"Wishing to emphasize my admiration for your literary talent. You are able to make even the most ordinary things replete with interest and meaning. I am proud of you." Shirlee

"Good writing but it was kind of scary, in view of the recent Haitian earthquake....." Kay

Oh, my goodness...I had better write more. And thanks to all for hanging in there with me. ♥

More Interesting UTubes From Roger

I can't resist.  These videos are really good. Even if you don't like what they are saying, the editing and conception are great. Enjoy.

 

Every Which Way

The above link was on Roger Ebert's twitter today. Watching it I got just as riled up as when I first saw the movie. Fortunately my windows are currently locked, or they'd a be a flying up.

Be a good sport. Wish Rush Limbaugh bon voyage for being Costa Rica bound.

OTHER GOOD NEWS !

Today I purchased my own domain name. You can now go to www.texaschiefs.com. And there you will find this very blog you're reading. It's a good thing to have and am glad it was still available. It's much easier to say and for people to remember "Hey, go look at my blog at texaschiefs dot com."

ANOTHER FALLING OUT OF BED INCIDENT

Geesh! I fell out of bed again last night. Didn't hurt anything. Just my bruised ego. Once on the floor I am there to stay. Thinking about pillows on the side of the bed so I don't have to bother Bob. Even with his help it took us a good 10 minutes or more to figure out a way to get off the floor and into bed. I hope none of you ever have to experience that type of helplessness. I visualized various ways to get up and was at last successful. All the while, Copper looked on with concerned eyes.

Once I got back into bed, I said to Bob: "Well, at least I didn't get shot." (a little humor never hurts)

I had had another ambien induced dream where someone who shall remain nameless was trying to shoot me. So, you see I had to get away out of danger and apparently that was on the floor. I've called my doctor for a different sleeping pill.