Blog

The Joys Of Spotify

I’ve been streaming via Spotify pretty exclusively for some time. Haven’t ponied up for the premium plan yet, but look to do so. I really love having the whole world of recorded music at the tip of my ear.

Another piece I love: the ability to share music.

Here’s one of my favorite tunes, by one of my favorite artists, Peter Gabriel.

Enjoy!

What I’ve learned from migraines

One thing I’ve learned from my migraines: limits. I can’t do it all. My system stops me too often, and too completely. I’m completely ineffectual once a migraine sets in. Intense pain, light sensitivity, and an inability to focus collude to stop me cold. Sleep is the only way forward. Though my meds work amazingly well, they aren’t perfect.

The scattered foci of my life can’t flourish anymore. One main drive, with my other interests secondary. That’s all I really can muster anymore.

Though part of me is saddened by this realization, mainly I feel relief. I don’t need to save the world. Just do as much good in my place. Go in piece, I guess.

A Moment of Quiet Victory

Well, folks, I had one of those moments that I like to claim a minor life victory. One of those times when things just seem to layer against you; just one thing after another. Claim those moments, own them and hold them as banners of triumph when you’re feeling vanquished. Anyway, this one, simple it may be, involves my glasses. My dear, sweet son decided it would be gloriously amusing to color my left lens…with a Sharpie. After a bit of research, which turned up all kinds of horrifying suggestions (rubbing alcohol, hairspray, WD40…on my glasses???), I finally turned to my creativity. A dab of dishwashing liquid, rubbed gently upon the lens, the left to soak during the day. When I removed the glasses from the water…viola! No ink at all! So, I’m quite pleased with myself. So, no, no, NO to the other solutions; they will damage your lenses. Gentleness, along with the universal solvent and time, saved the day. Cheers!

iOS & Gmail : Failing Flags

After I upgraded my iPhone 4S to iOS 6, one of the big issues I was faced with was flagging emails in my personal domain (which is hosted by google apps). This is set-up via Exchange. Turns out the problem is manically simple: the optional domain setting. Under Settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendars > “account name” > Account, after “Email” (which is how you name this guy) & “Server” is “Domain”. After changing this from blank to “google”, the ability to flag in this account came right back.

iPhone on good health! I’ll add more about my iOS 6 update journey soon.

I *Heart* SnorgTees!

Ha!

Brought to you by SnorgTees, purveyors of fine t-shirts. Dressing the best dressed hipsters for weeks…er, years…

Coffee’s Intrinsic Value

The Borg are always presented as sluggish and morose. Haven’t they heard of coffee? It always makes assimilation into a heartless collective much more pleasant. Hence why every company comes well stocked.

Thought of the Day

Before we go too far aggrandizing America’s contributions to global culture, let’s remember we also gave the world Joanie Loves Chachie and David Hasselhof. I’m afraid the Internet, Klingon translations of Shakespeare, Chia Pets nor even Snuggies can balance that equation.

Thoughts – Tuesday Morn

Writing feels clunky this morning.
Not flowing, not free.
Words free, yet lack resonance.
Dreams unanswered.

Monday

Tomorrow is neigh,
Monday lurks beyond the dark,
At dawn it shall pounce.

Ok, enough on tech. Time to return to some poetry for awhile.

May your next week be glorious and satisfying.

Some additional thoughts on tablets…what about Microsoft?

This week’s news about the Kindle updates has me wondering about MSFT. Something not talked about much, but strikes me as critical:  Amazon’s line-up and array of price-points. Allow people of “lesser means” get into this ecosystem. People will iterate up.

Google Android and Kindle understand this. Get us in, get us great content (which we happily (?) buy), let folks iteratively (I guess that is a word) upgrade; long-term, sustainable growth. Looking back at Microsoft, I worry they won’t get this. They didn’t with the Zune. Every Zune came with premium pricing. Perhaps now with tablets?

Plenty of MSFT devices are coming down the pike (here’s a big run-down of different MSFT Windows 8 tablets & the Surface) and that gives me some hope. Right now, though, there are several Android-eque tablets out there for < $100…(really) and even more for < $200. Without something in this price range, I worry that MSFT will not even be close to relevant.

Well, reckoning time comes soon. Apple’s announcement next week might well add to this. Answers arrive soon, ready or not.