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About eight months ago, I gave up my BlackBerry and got a smartphone. Big mistake - the smartphone did so many things and sadly, none of them well. Andrew and I had the same phone, which made bearing the crapness nicer because we were doing it together. That whole misery loves company thing is so true!
Lucky for Andrew, he managed to leave (and honestly, he didn't do it on purpose) his not-so-smartphone on the airplane the last time we flew to Atlanta and our travel insurance thankfully weren't able to replace it. So he got a new phone a few weeks ago.
I was jealous.
So today I sucked it up and got a new BlackBerry Pearl. My main reason for going with a smartphone was that I wanted a camera on my phone - and at that time that wasn't possible with a CrackBerry.
The Pearl has a camera - and I'm so glad to be back in it's lovely little arms! So hey - email me!Labels: Geeky, Shopping
I'm sure you have already heard about/seen/played with Google Earth, right? Today, I was looking for a site to let me track Andrew's flight to Vegas, when I came across Aeroseek. Cool thing - Aeroseek will let you track any flight using Google Earth. Oh, how we likey sites that work together like that. It makes my little nerdy heart go thud.
After looking up his flight - I've now looked up directions from my parents' house to his hotel in Vegas. Did you know you can 'play' the directions and it will show you they way to where you're going? I may pass out, it's so cool!Labels: Geeky
 Okay, so ask me what my soon to be not beloved colony of ants is doing at this very moment? Uh, that'd be nothing. Nada. They're just sitting around - mostly on top of each other. The little book that came with the habitat said to give them 24 to 48 hours to start digging. Well, it's now been 54 hours and there's been no activity.
Yes, they're still alive and no, I didn't shake them to find out. I've been sitting here like a dork with the magnifying glass that came with it, checking them out. Don't they know I'm going on holiday Monday and need to see some progress before then?
Sheesh. Ants.Labels: Geeky
 Although I'm geeky, I've never really embraced the joy that lies in RSS feeds. Mainly because I can't be bothered to find the URL for the actual feeds and then put it into a reader like Bloglines or Feedburner. However, I've just discovered Google Reader and it's super easy to add feeds. You just search for a keyword and it does the rest. Finally - a reader I might actually use! Because you know, I do like to see the Dilbert of the day...
I've now added a new little widget to the site. At the top of the page you'll now be able to see what I'm reading at the moment via Google Reader. Like? yes/no?Labels: Geeky
Enjoy - there's nothing moving in this picture.. right?Labels: Geeky
 Hey - this is a cool site. It's an interactive map from the City of New York Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting. It shows where in the city loads of stuff has been filmed.
I wish they'd do something like that for London. I keep trying to find the place in every 'feel good British comedy of the year' where it snows in London!Labels: Geeky
Wow. Barack Obama's peeps are pretty tuned in. A political campaign site coupled with social networking? Quite smart, really. It's a really nice site - and check out the links at the bottom.. YouTube.. Flickr.. Certainly appealing to the Web 2.0 crowd. Via my.barackobama.com
Before you think I'm not being fair to the opposition.. here you go. Oh and I should also say that I've not made up my mind who I'm supporting for President. I'm still researching the issues. I am sort of leaning towards Obama, though - I like that he supports a woman's right to choose and that while he opposes gay marriage, he does support civil union and gay equality. Via OntheIssues. Not ideal - but better than most.Labels: Geeky
Notes from Geekworld.. via Andrew. I know that we're all familiar with iTunes as a way to download and buy music. There's also Limewire, for less than above board acquisitions, shall we say. But I've recently subscribed to eMusic for a free trial of 25 free downloads. I only did it to get Andrew off my back about how great it was, really.
Well, I've spent some of my 25 on electronic music but then discovered that they have an amazing selection of children's music! Including, like, all the Laurie Berkner albums and my new favourite, 'No' by They Might Be Giants. You have to love childrens' music that you don't mind listening to - it's much nicer than icky pop cover tunes sung by children.
eMusic is definitely worth checking out and doing a free trial. If you like, I can send you a link that benefits us both - you get 25 downloads free and I get credit for telling you about the site. (I'd be telling you even if I didn't get credit, by the way) The prices are great, unlike iTunes, the music is yours to do what you want with (no limits on how many computers you can play it on and who you can give it to) and the selection of children's music (oh and other music as well - Andrew just picked up the new Barenaked Ladies album) is amazing!
Labels: Geeky, Shopping
What a great long weekend we had. Of course, getting back in the swing at work hasn't been the most joyous of tasks this morning! But, I've made great headway armed with a grande, triple shot, skinny, wet, sugar free vanilla latte.
Saturday, Andrew and I had date night. Which was really most excellent in a way that I can't possibly describe. I was in the bubble and those who know me, well.. you know how I feel about the bubble. 'nuff said.
Sunday we headed to Smiths of Smithfield for a gorgeous brunch. It truly is the king of brunch places and it ticks all the boxes for all three of us. Which is nice. I mean, to find a place that is laid back with good 'day after' music, good food, and an atmosphere that appeals to Mary Catherine... well, it's fabulous. We like Smiths.
Mary Catherine was in great spirits at brunch and we had such an excellent time listening to music as she ate her most delicious banana cream pancakes. The child can now recognise house music. I couldn't be more proud! At one point, she looked at Andrew and I and said, 'Mama, I'm a little ol' rock star!' It was so funny - hence the picture at above with her best rock star face.
We then headed to Cath Kidston to pick up a few bits and bobs. Like an egg cup. I never thought I'd ever need one, but last week when I made Mary Catherine a boiled egg and soldiers - well, it was annoying not to have one. So I'm now the proud owner of a lovely pink designer egg cup. Also picked up new melamine plates, cups and bowls for MC as her old Cath Kidston cups were worse for wear. I had to buy the plates and bowls as well, I mean, I can't have her eating off mismatched melamine, now can I? Man, I love to shop.
Okay - enough babble for the morning. For those of you into electronic music, I've found a great site.. definitely worth a browse. BeatPort. You can check out loads of music and listen to massive samples of each track. You're also able to see DJs current top mixes lists.. It's music nerd nirvana.
Do a track search for Exceeder by Mason to hear my current 'stuck in head' song. Or - look up Discoteka by Starkillers. Because, hey, 'I make the beat go boom, Papi', don't you? (sample here).Labels: Geeky, Shopping
 Oooh, fun. Today I found a new ‘game’ called Google Image Labeler. It’s pretty straight forward really: two people play at different computers as a pair. The pair are shown an image and have to type words that describe that image. If the pair agree on a description for an they win points. The pairs with most points get displayed on a leader board. That’s the game side but while all this is going on
Google is also looking at the matching (and so presumably accurate) descriptions and adding them to its image search. So, it's fun but with a purpose.Labels: Geeky
I've got a wee problem. Lately, I seem to have songs totally stuck in my head. This morning's little ditty - Moondance by Van Morrison.
"Well, its a marvelous night for a moondance, With the stars up above in your eyes. A fantabulous night to make romance 'neath the cover of october skies. And all the leaves on the trees are falling to the sound of the breezes that blow. And Im trying to please to the calling of your heart-strings that play soft and low...."
Yesterday and most of last week it was God is a DJ by Faithless...
"This is my church.. This is where i heal my hurts. It's a natural grace of watching young life shape. It's in minor keys solutions and remedies. Enemies becoming friends when bitterness ends. This is my church... This is my church. For tonight - God is a DJ."
I can't tell you how much I love that Faithless song. Not that I go clubbing often to 'heal my hurts' but if you've ever been in a total groove on a dance floor and in the proverbial bubble - well, those lyrics just make sense. 
I should also note that I'm not advocating clubbing as a religion.
Ah - the bubble. Those of you who know me (here comes one of the geekiests terms) "in real life" and have ever been around me in a going out/social situation should know all about me and my bubble. There's something about getting ready and going out to a club, having a few drinks to loosen up (of course, I'm speaking muscularly, not loose in a sexual nature - who me? Absolutely never, I'm someone's mother!) and just being in the bubble. Bubble being defined as being 100% happy with how things are going, music playing, how you look, how others look... everything.
Man, I love the feeling of being in the bubble. It's better than any drug (not that I've tried many, mind you - Okay hold it a second! This sucks having to pretend that I've never had fun before in my life. My mother knows already, so I'm going to drop the pretense, okay?).
The bubble is magical - as some of you, hopefully, can relate.
Actually - reflecting back on my post earlier in the week about Flow. Yes, a PS3 game (which, by the way, was released yesterday and is amazing), but based on the concept of Flow proposed by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. Flow is is the mental state of operation in which the person is fully immersed in what he or she is doing, characterized by a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and success in the process of the activity. Dude, I think one man's flow is another man's bubble.
Of course, there are times when you go out and you're totally not in the bubble. Nothing's right, the music isn't great, your feet hurt, you're not in the mood to be chatty.. The anti-bubble.
I believe that Bubble-dom probably extends far from clubland (oh, I've always wanted to use that in a paragraph) and relates to our everyday lives. Some days, I'm definitely in the 'life bubble' (if you will) and then there are days, like this past Wednesday where I was about as far from the bubble as possible.
I suppose, the concept of Bubble is about being happy and comfortable in your own skin and being open to new experiences. So there - a bit of Lizosophy for your Friday morning!Labels: bubble, Geeky
 Not only do we like the free, we like useful things on the internet. Check out Cozi - a new virtual assistant for families. You can either download the application to your machine, or if you're like me use a web interface.
"Cozi Central helps busy families manage schedules, appointments, shopping and communications from wherever you are — the kitchen, car, office or even the grocery store. Cozi Central is available as a software download and in a Web version.
Access from Cozi’s Home Page. Your personalized home page provides access to Cozi Central’s features all from one place. Schedule with Cozi Calendar. View or edit your busy family’s schedules in a central location. Organize with Cozi Shopping Lists. Keep track of items to be purchased and tasks that need to be done. Communicate with Cozi Messages. Send quick messages to other family members, individually or all at once via phone or email."
Andrew and I are trying it out. So far, I've put a few things in the calendar, sent Andrew a message to remind him that I love him and will now create a shopping list to see if I can get it to send to my mobile.
As it's a free thing - I wonder how they're going to make their money. Hmm...Labels: Geeky
Wheee! er, I mean Wii!
 Ooh look - I'm going to get fit! "Playing new style computer games can help people burn up a significant amount of calories, research has found. Games consoles such as Nintendo Wii require players to use body movements to control the action.... Based on the average gaming week of 12.2 hours, this translates to a potential 1,830 calories burned per week when using Wii - 40% more than when using a traditional format console. " (via BBC)
So that's very exciting news, huh?
Andrew was king of pancake day and made us some nice pancakes last night. Which we ate with syrup, because as previously stated, we didn't have any lemons. I was content to not make any - but Mr Dunne wouldn't hear of it.
And now it's Ash Wednesday.. oh and Starbuck's Good Coffee Day. IF you live in the UK, you can drop by your local Starbucks today between 2-4pm (GMT) and get a free tall Cafe Estima drip coffee. We do like the free.Labels: Geeky
 I have a new addiction. The first downloadable game for the PS3 will be available in March. Cool thing is that it's currently available to play (free) as a Flash game. (Play here) Via Gamespot: Your goal is to eat everything floating around you and make your way down to the bottom of a body of water. The act of eating what's around you bulks up your critter to larger proportions, which comes in handy when dealing with some of the more aggressive creatures you'll find as you descend. To descend or ascend, you'll have to eat various red or blue items; red items move you down a level, while blue moves you up one. You'll also be able to eat power-ups of sorts that buff you out and increase the size of your mouth.
The game actually started as a grad student's thesis/project. The cool thing is that it's based on Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's 1990 work Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience, which explores the human engagement with immediate activity, positing that man is happiest when completely at one with the action at hand. We like games with brains - I'm digging the flash based game and will definitely be downloading the finished PS3 game when it becomes available.
In other news - we've gotten a Wii and man, oh man, it doesn't disappoint! More later..Labels: Geeky
 Katherine's comment about the lip balm from One Good Bumblebee washed over me on the day she posted it - but now that I've gone back and had a good look around.. How cool would it be to have lip balm that smells of Betty Crocker chocolate frosting or (my favourite) Lucky Charms cereal! I think, actually, that it would be great for about five minutes and then I'd start to get ill from that sickly sweet smell. But oh the first whiff would be amazing. I wonder if it's Lucky Charms with or without the purple horseshoes?
Here's some Lucky Charms trivia for you from the Wikipedia.. "The main selling point for Lucky Charms has always been the marshmallows (or "marbits" as General Mills calls them). The first boxes of Lucky Charms cereal contained marshmallows in the shapes of pink hearts, yellow moons, orange stars, and green clovers. The lineup has changed occasionally over the years, beginning with the introduction of blue diamonds in 1975. Purple horseshoes joined the roster in 1984, followed by red balloons in 1989, rainbows in 1992, pots of gold in 1994, leprechaun hats in 1996, and shooting stars in 1998."
Obviously I've not eaten Lucky Charms since 1984, because I remember when purple horseshoes were a big deal! Good times, folks... Good times.Labels: Geeky
 I'm so stoked - Andrew just booked our tickets to see the Scissor Sisters at the O2 in July! Andrew was looking at The O2 website and happened to see that they were playing. We even got decent seats. It's all very exciting. The new O2 complex looks like it's going to be fabulous - it's nice to see the Dome being used for something.
Do we have a babysitter lined up? No - but we have until late July to sort that out. Mary Catherine will be so gutted that she can't go - she's their biggest (smallest?) fan. Seriously. I am going to start saving now to be able to buy her a concert t-shirt! Heck, I had to wait until 15 to get mine (ZZ Top, Afterburner tour, in case you were wondering). (note - I just looked up the image for that tee on ebay and it's listed as VINTAGE. Kill. Me. Now.
In other news, when I picked Mary Catherine up from school today she was complaining of an ear ache. Bless her - by the time we got home she was really upset and it was obvious that her ear was really bothering her. A big dose of ibuprofen, some warm milk and a little internet research on ear infections and we're doing a-o-k now. I'll keep her home from swimming tomorrow, but I'm pleased to read that ear infections no longer mean running to the doctor for antibiotics. (I believe in antibiotics for confirmed bacterial (not viral) infections only. I'd hate to need them one day and be immune to them.) I expect we'll be up in the night for another dose, but thankfully she's happy to take ibuprofen (she likes the orange taste - isn't a big fan of paracetemol/tylenol strawberry, go figure).Labels: Geeky, Mary Catherine
Newly Found
Fun parenting sites:
Babble ("A magazine and community for the new urban parent")
ParentHacks ("Daily parenting tips and ideas from the real experts -- actual parents.")
And have a look at this! Petunia Picklebottom - baby chic. I don't plan to have another, but if I did - I'd definitely have to have the Blueberry Crumb Cake Society Satchel. Most definitely.
You know what's weird? Now that Mary Catherine is four and in school (albeit her Nursery year), we're totally moving out of the whole Chic Parenting website world, from what I can tell. (Babble above, while fabulous, sort of stops at toddler .. We're not a toddler anymore, that's for sure.)
Hmm.. Surely there have to be websites that will placate my daily parenting website reading needs? Anyone have any suggestions? I know Kidley - but am at a loss for others..Labels: Geeky, Parenting
 Okay - let's get geeky. I've seen some gadgets recently that I think are 'want-worthy'.. Check out the 'iCache' - a mini storage for all your credit/cash cards. The package consists of the iCache and a “universal card.” And here’s what you do – once you buy the device, register all your cards to your online account. Then, insert the universal card into the device to complete the setup. Each time you want to use a particular card, say at a mall, choose the required card on the iCache’s screen and the iCache’s universal card is temporarily loaded with the data from the card you have chosen. In other words, the universal card becomes the card you are planning to use. You can then use the card for your shopping, and the data loaded on it disappears after 10 minutes.
The security aspects have been taken care of as well – the data is encrypted and the device itself can be activated only when you scan your fingerprint on the iCache’s biometric strip. The company is currently trying to get banks and credit card companies interested in the idea. No information yet on pricing or when the actual device will be out in the market. It would cut down on wallet clutter, that's for sure. Via Popgadget
 How about colour therapy while using a keyboard? Luxeed's latest lets you program each individual key with one of 512 colors, "be it a single hue, a spectrum rainbow." Users can even download color skins / patterns directly from the firm's website, or you can save your own design for future reference, and actual brightness levels can also be adjusted right alone with tone. Moreover, users can make the keys light up and dim based on the beat of the music surrounding it. I kinda want one. Via Engadget.Labels: Geeky
I decided not to make any resolutions this year. However, I think I'm going to do 43 things. From their site:
“I am doing 43 things”
People have known for years that making a list of goals is the best way to achieve them. But most of us never get around to making a list. 43 Things is great for that! Make a list on 43 Things and see what changes happen in your life. Best of all it’s a way of connecting with other enthusiasts interested in everything from watching a space shuttle launch to grow my own vegetables. So the next time someone asks you, “what do you do?” you can answer with confidence, “I am doing 43 things!”.
Now - what to put on my list? One thing I know I will put on is my new Sketchbook Journal. Andrew bought me a Moleskine book and new drawing pens for Christmas and I really want to see if I can keep a sketchbook for a year. So that's definitely going on my list. I did my first drawing today and it's such a gorgeous book that I was nervous doodling in it!Labels: Artsy Fartsy, Geeky
It's 2:15 in the morning. Mary Catherine went to bed around 8pm only to wake up at 10pm. She's been up ever since. Damn jet lag. We're having to really use a lot of patience with her, as she doesn't really understand why it's so late at night but she feels so very wide awake. Andrew and I are taking it in turns to each get an hour of sleep at a time. The crap thing is that all three of us have to be up at 6:30 - a mere four hours from now - and have a full day ahead of us.
I know that we won't do ourselves any favours if we take the day off (not that it's a possibility) to sleep and get back to normal. It's a painful, but necessary procedure to get back on Greenwich Mean Time. Still sucks though.
 Oh, and want has a new name... Check out the iPhone. When you look at all they say it will do - man, it looks amazing. Although - my current Pocket PC does the same stuff for the most part ... as with all Apple things, well, it just doesn't look as sexy and delicious as the new iPhone. There's a lot to be said for a sleek, posh user interface, huh?
Okay - it's now 2:36am and I'm rambling about sexy user interfaces. I've just given Mary Catherine some food - Rice Krispies, because we haven't stocked the cupboard yet - so hopefully she will listen to her full tummy and get a bit sleepy. Actually - that's a good thought. Bless the internet - I'm going to do my grocery shopping now. Excellent idea, self! Seriously, how cool is it that I can order groceries at 2:39 in the morning for delivery later today?
Throw another litre of milk in the cart - I'm on a roll!!Labels: Geeky, Mary Catherine, Sleepy
Suckerstation
So we were cruising around Best Buy today enjoying the weakness of the dollar against the British pound and what to our wondering eyes did appear? For some freak reason, the Best Buy in the middle of nowhere Georgia had a Playstation 3! They're rare, hard to find and ever so expensive. Of course we had to buy one!
They're not out in the UK until April and thanks to the exchange rate, will be more expensive than the $600 we forked out today (ouch!). Mary Catherine geeked out a little bit too and got a new game for her Leapster - which she is continuing to enjoy. Have mercy - we're so dorky I may just pass out.
Labels: Geeky
she likes it!
Mary Catherine is sitting next to me and is finally, five days after Christmas getting to know her new Leapster. I'm stoked - as she seems to be able to 'make it go' and is having a good time with the new painting program that we bought for it. Last year, we bought her a Leappad and while she liked it well enough, she's never really been into it. As the product of a very geeky marriage, you can imagine our surprise that our child has been incredibly slow to show interest in anything remotely computerish.
Hence our excitement that she's into the Leapster. Must run - old friend here to visit!
Labels: Geeky, Mary Catherine
Andrew and I are just home from our night out at the Glenn Hotel in downtown Atlanta. It was fantastic - definitely better than the W Atlanta where we stayed last year. As we slept in until 10am, we skipped breakfast and went straight to the Waffle House on the way home. Now that is the perfect ending to a 24-hour long date!
On our way to the hotel yesterday, we stopped at Little 5 Points and walked around and had a look through some of the shops. Some places, like Junkman's Daughter and Wax n'Facts are just as I left them in my high school and college days. We drove around downtown last night and went past a few places where I used to hang out when I was in college. Like, Stan and Fred's house off 10th Street... the now empty lot where Backstreet used to be... the Varsity... Piedmont Park where Alexa and I went to the Pot festival one year and thought ourselves to be very free thinkers.. Ah - memories.
Andrew and I are back at the house now after our 24 hours of being adults without responsibility - but Mom, Dad and Mary Catherine aren't here. So much for getting back because we thought we'd be missed!Labels: Atlanta, Geeky
He shoots - he scores!
My husband is a real gem. I'll tell you all about our Christmas morning later, but I have to tell you - Andrew really gave me an excellent present. For quite a few years, I'd enjoyed giving Mary Catherine toys, but always felt a bit sad about being grown up and not having that really cool moment that you had when you were a child - you know, the one where you saw your big ticket toy of the year and were so excited to have such a cool toy.
Okay - maybe I'm the only one who ever felt like that. So, back to my adultness. It's always been fun giving Mary Catherine toys and this year, watching her discover all that Santa left was really good fun. But I've gotten to have a toy moment of my own this year.
I got a new (Red) iPod, that I was expecting - thankfully. I also got a Nabaztag, which I'd seen, but had never really looked into. It's just 100% proof that my husband knows me better than I know myself. It's amazing! (more info here. It's just so very, very cool.
It was at the point that I found myself actually stroking the box as I read what fun lay ahead that I bowed down and embraced my inner geek. Get this - everyone apparently already knew I was nerdy. Go figure.
Labels: Atlanta, Geeky
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