I am not a big fan of Halloween. Let me back up a step or two…I am not a big fan of being frightened. Therefore, Halloween is not my favorite day of the year. It is for my children. Especially for my eight year old. This year he was invited to go trick-or-treating with a friend in the neighborhood.
Of course, I was overcome with a healthy dose of fear and anxiety of letting him go with someone other than me. Every scenario that I imagined could happen sped through my mind like a high speed rail. Panic set in and I didn’t know how to answer his pleas to go with his friend. I consulted with dear hubby. He seemed a little less panicked than I. Typical. So, I leaned on him and replied “yes”.
The little boy’s mom and I discussed that my son would need to stay with her as he was not familiar with the neighborhood they would be visiting. She was reassuring. I gave him a very stern set of instructions to keep close and pay attention to his surroundings. He was also instructed to not partake of too many goodies so that I could perform an adequate safety check once he returned.
With not more than two bats of an eyelid, he was gone. Off to enjoy one of his favorite days of the year. Without me. I am not a big fan of Halloween. Let me back up a step or two … I am not a big fan of the fear, panic and anxiety that comes with watching as my son grows up and finds some independence.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Monday, July 5, 2010
eBooks, really?
So there’s been quite a buzz about eReaders and eBooks lately. I did my homework(i.e., downloaded several eReaders to my laptop and smartphone, internet reviews, etc.) to learn about each of them and it has left me still wondering – “why?” Sure there’s a great argument from college students claiming to have to read a massive amount of books and carrying those texts around campus all day. Really? Come on, folks. What about travelers? Ease of carrying books that don’t take up room in the carry-on or weekend bags. Close, but no cigar here!
As I prepare for my upcoming flight, I have found that it would seem like a great idea to have an eReader to take on the plane with me. But I must look at the proverbial “bigger picture” on this one. How many books am I actually going to be able to read on my flight? How many books can any one person read at a time? (The iPad seems to be in a class all by itself here.)
To make matters worse, the eBooks aren’t that much different in price that their paperback counterparts. This is something I find unbelievable as well. The manufacturer’s do offer some free classics to load onto your eReader.
In my opinion, the eReader has great intentions. I did enjoy checking out the book samples that are available on each of the eReaders. I also like that my local library allows you to “borrow” eBooks via digital library. However, no matter how I try to rationalize it, at this point purchasing an eReader does not reflect massive benefits in my book. (No pun intended!) And with prices starting in the $200-$500 ranges, I’m happy with my old-fashioned hardback book with that wonderful old library smell in between the pages.
There’s nothing simpler in this very complex world like the written word elegantly placed on the pages of a well published book.
As I prepare for my upcoming flight, I have found that it would seem like a great idea to have an eReader to take on the plane with me. But I must look at the proverbial “bigger picture” on this one. How many books am I actually going to be able to read on my flight? How many books can any one person read at a time? (The iPad seems to be in a class all by itself here.)
To make matters worse, the eBooks aren’t that much different in price that their paperback counterparts. This is something I find unbelievable as well. The manufacturer’s do offer some free classics to load onto your eReader.
In my opinion, the eReader has great intentions. I did enjoy checking out the book samples that are available on each of the eReaders. I also like that my local library allows you to “borrow” eBooks via digital library. However, no matter how I try to rationalize it, at this point purchasing an eReader does not reflect massive benefits in my book. (No pun intended!) And with prices starting in the $200-$500 ranges, I’m happy with my old-fashioned hardback book with that wonderful old library smell in between the pages.
There’s nothing simpler in this very complex world like the written word elegantly placed on the pages of a well published book.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
iPhone vs The Others ....
I love my smartphone. I am addicted and not ashamed to admit it. There is just something about the thrill of finding a new app to download.
I am not alone in this boat. There are millions of Droids, iPhones, Google phones and Blackberries out there. Everyone has their own opinions of their phone. I have my own as well. I could spend hours upon hours in the Apple store. Yes, I have an iPhone. (No, I don’t work for Apple or any of it’s affiliates.)
I love the intelligent minds that created it. And, I am impressed at the rate at which the other companies have attempted to outsmart this smartphone. I was once a Blackberry owner and can’t understand why. I think the iPhone, including the new iPhone 4, has really set a standard. Why wouldn’t someone want such an intelligent phone? More importantly, why would you want any other?
I am not alone in this boat. There are millions of Droids, iPhones, Google phones and Blackberries out there. Everyone has their own opinions of their phone. I have my own as well. I could spend hours upon hours in the Apple store. Yes, I have an iPhone. (No, I don’t work for Apple or any of it’s affiliates.)
I love the intelligent minds that created it. And, I am impressed at the rate at which the other companies have attempted to outsmart this smartphone. I was once a Blackberry owner and can’t understand why. I think the iPhone, including the new iPhone 4, has really set a standard. Why wouldn’t someone want such an intelligent phone? More importantly, why would you want any other?
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
The countdown has started!
In 1999, I took my soon-to-be husband to visit my family in St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. I have not been back since. It really hasn’t been for lack of trying. My husband and I were married in 2000 here in the states. Since then, it has been one life-changing event after another. None of them has led me back to my rock.
Sadly, I have missed many birthday celebrations, family reunions and most disturbingly, my grandfather’s funeral. My children have never had the opportunity to meet their 98 year old great-grandmother, plethora of cousins, aunts and uncles or even sink their toes into the sand at Magen’s Bay.
While wiping back tears of overwhelming happiness, we purchased our tickets. Excitement, fear, anxiousness and nostalgia consumed me the instant I hit “Submit” on the ticket purchase. Of course, I had to spread the news with a series of Facebook posts, texts and phone calls – which, by the way, occurred simultaneously. (I love my smartphone!)
So, now the planning begins. I have downloaded the Virgin Islands app on my iPhone, contacted my parents and family, emailed copies of our itinerary to those who absolutely need it and begun organizing the kids’ clothes to determine what to pack and what to purchase. I have also beefed up my efforts at my current weight loss plan (Currently at -16#s!) Without admitting it openly, my hubby has done the same.
Time is flying as we prepare for this trip. But, every so often, I’ll sit back and think about how much it means to me to be able teach my children about their family, their culture and most importantly, me.
Sadly, I have missed many birthday celebrations, family reunions and most disturbingly, my grandfather’s funeral. My children have never had the opportunity to meet their 98 year old great-grandmother, plethora of cousins, aunts and uncles or even sink their toes into the sand at Magen’s Bay.
While wiping back tears of overwhelming happiness, we purchased our tickets. Excitement, fear, anxiousness and nostalgia consumed me the instant I hit “Submit” on the ticket purchase. Of course, I had to spread the news with a series of Facebook posts, texts and phone calls – which, by the way, occurred simultaneously. (I love my smartphone!)
So, now the planning begins. I have downloaded the Virgin Islands app on my iPhone, contacted my parents and family, emailed copies of our itinerary to those who absolutely need it and begun organizing the kids’ clothes to determine what to pack and what to purchase. I have also beefed up my efforts at my current weight loss plan (Currently at -16#s!) Without admitting it openly, my hubby has done the same.
Time is flying as we prepare for this trip. But, every so often, I’ll sit back and think about how much it means to me to be able teach my children about their family, their culture and most importantly, me.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Just the beginning ...
I am living my very own “Larry Winget” moment right now. If you’re not quite sure who I’m speaking of head immediately over to your nearest public library and pull up the card catalog. Once you read the back of the cover of ‘People Are Idiots …’ you will clearly understand my opening statement. I must give credit where credit is due. My sister steered me toward this book much like I just told you.
It wasn’t because I had heard great reviews for this book or its author. (And this isn’t a book review or promo!) But because like every woman, wife, mother, daughter or sister out there – I need answers! Whether Mr. Winget could answer them for me remained unseen at the time. However, I will say that the mere existence of this post is the result of my younger sister’s eagerness for me to read this book with her and my determination to keep an opened mind.
So, as I begin my existence into the blogosphere with this inaugural post, I would like to dedicate this blog to my sister, my children, my husband, my family and my friends. They have all experienced my “blogs” in one form or another and I want to say “thank you”! Here we go …
It wasn’t because I had heard great reviews for this book or its author. (And this isn’t a book review or promo!) But because like every woman, wife, mother, daughter or sister out there – I need answers! Whether Mr. Winget could answer them for me remained unseen at the time. However, I will say that the mere existence of this post is the result of my younger sister’s eagerness for me to read this book with her and my determination to keep an opened mind.
So, as I begin my existence into the blogosphere with this inaugural post, I would like to dedicate this blog to my sister, my children, my husband, my family and my friends. They have all experienced my “blogs” in one form or another and I want to say “thank you”! Here we go …
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