This is surely a sign that I have gotten old

Jan 27, 2012 by Marilyn

See this picture? I nabbed it off Pinterest but I’ve come across it before. And every time I see it, I think, “Oh my God… YES.”. Because I so totally do this. I consistently loose an entire decade. When people talk about something in 1992 having taken place 20 years ago, I ALWAYS think, rather derisively, “Fools, they mean ten years ago. Pfft.” (Even now, as I wrote the above sentence I had to stop and figure out if it was right. This totally proves my point.)

What the heck?? Why do I do this? The only possible explanation is the 2000′s were so heinous that I blocked them from my memory. I just erased an entire decade from my consciousness. And it would appear, via Pinterest, that I am not the only one.

Which leads me to conclude that my generation has officially become OLD. If you’ll excuse me, I need to go find my Metamucil and yell at some kids to get off my lawn.

Stay hungry, stay foolish

Jan 23, 2012 by Marilyn

Reno finally got some snow this last weekend! Not an enormous amount, but a heck of a lot more than we’ve had all winter so at least it’s something. More importantly, the mountains got snow too. They needed it soooo bad.

Of course it’s supposed to be like 60 degrees on Wednesday, so we’ll see how long it lasts. I can only hope that these storms were just the beginning and that we’ll see some more in due time.

Did I tell you all that I started watching “Doctor Who” on Netflix? I had to see what all the fuss was about, of course. It’s kinda cheesy, kinds corney, but entirely absorbing. And I may have printed out plan for making a paper TARDIS off of Pinterest and put it together. But I’m not telling on the basis that it probably makes me sound like a huge nerd.

That’s in the afternoons. In the evenings, Kile and I have been watching “LOST” again. The whole thing. It’s been a blast. God, I miss that show. And I remain eternally frusrated a people who don’t get the ending. (no, they weren’t in purgatory the whole time. They all met after the end of their lives. The “sideways” world was purgatory, everything was real. Sheesh!). We’re nearly to the end of season 2 already, last night Michael killed Ana Lucia and Libby. They just don’t make shows like this anymore.

Still loving my iPad. Yes, I’m doing this post using it. I have fallen down the rabbit hole and there is no hope for retrieving me. Damn you, Steve Jobs. You brilliant madman, you.

Okay, so that’s what’s going on around here. I thought I’d just pop in and give a quick update. You know, because all that up there is very important and must be shared. Cough.

My Take: iPad 2 vs. Kindle Fire

Jan 19, 2012 by Marilyn

Okay, I tried and I simply couldn’t resist. Yes, when I decided to get the Kindle Fire, I was thinking it would be an adequate replacement for the iPad, which I thought of as too expensive. And before I really get started, I want to give full disclosure. Kile and I both wanted e-readers for Christmas this year. For a long time we couldn’t decide between the Nook and the Kindle. Then they announced the Kindle Fire. And for a bit more than we were planning on spending, we could get a quasi-iPad. It seemed like the best choice.

But I have to admit that the usability of the Kindle Fire was pretty unimpressive. I wondered if I had finally become utterly spoiled by Apple products. The touchscreen was nowhere near as responsive as my iPhone and playing Angry Birds on it was such a disappointment that I stopped trying. I found myself using the Kindle to primarily read books and saving the other functions for my iPhone.

And then I started to wonder about the iPad. I had always written it off in the past as being an oversized iPhone. But the Kindle Fire helped me to see that having the larger display could be a great thing in certain circumstances. Such as watching movies. And then I got VERY frustrated with the way the Kindle Fire handled file transfers. Which is to say: not at all. There is a micro-USB port, but when you use it to connect to your computer, you can’t actually transfer any files over. At least not in any way I could find. You could drag files over to the Kindle until the cows came home but they wouldn’t ever show up on the Kindle. You have to email the files over to a special address you receive when you register your device. Oh and it can take several hours for a file to show up. Case in point: when we went to Elko this last time I wanted a pattern for an item I was knitting to display on my Kindle so I wouldn’t have to use my laptop every time I wanted to see what to do next. I emailed the file over and kept checking for the rest of the day. The file finally delivered sometime in themiddle of the night, at least SIX hours after I had sent it. Are you kidding me?

And say you want to transfer one of your movies you have a digital copy for so you can watch it on a car trip? For starters, the Kindle will only play certain formats. And of course none of the formats your digital copy was delivered as. So you have to find a file converter to convert it for you. If you can. And say you get the file converted and you finally are able to transfer the movie to your Kindle (for some reason you can transfer these sorts of files via the USB). Don’t bother looking for the movie under the Videos tab. No, apparently that’s only for Amazon content. Your movie can be located under the Gallery tab. UGH.

And that’s only just a taste of what can be kind of aggravating about the Kindle. Perhaps if I still used a PC laptop, had an Android phone and didn’t know the benefits of Apple products, this stuff would roll off my back easier. Or I wouldn’t notice. But I have been converted to Apple goodies and I do know that technology doesn’t have to be so frustrating. So wondered about the iPad.

I had some extra cash after the holidays and started looking at iPad 2′s on eBay. I knew I wanted the iPad 2 since we had recently purchased an Apple TV and there was some functionality with AirPlay and mirroring that can only be used with the iPad 2 or the iPhone 4s (I still have the iPhone 4; I’m holding off until the 5 is released to upgrade). Luckily I was able to find a really good deal, bid and won. Days later, the iPad 2 was in my hot little hands.

And yes, the iPad just works so much better than the Kindle. I didn’t want to believe it, but oh lord, it’s true. Transferring files is a piece of cake (and exactly like it is with the iPhone so I was already accustomed to it), the touchscreen is so much more responsive and typing is MUCH easier ( I’m writing this post up on the iPad in fact and it’s a breeze, not to mention the WordPress app is fantastic). I still imagine I’ll prefer reading on the Kindle (though I’ve been toying with iBooks and I do think I prefer the usability and interface to that of the Kindle) since its much easier to hold for extended periods of time and I got the cutest cover for it off of Etsy. But for pretty much everything else? The iPad wins hands down. I should have gotten one ages ago.

It seems a little silly to have a full Kindle Fire just for reading books. But I just don’t feel ready to write it off altogether yet. Time will tell. If you’re on the fence about the iPad, just get it. Especially if you have other Apple devices at home. In the tablet market, it is the one to beat. For very good reason. The Kindle Fire is a fine device, but it’s just not even remotely in the same league.

My Non-Resolutions for 2012

Jan 1, 2012 by Marilyn

Oh who am I kidding?  These are totally resolutions.  It just feels like when you call a goal a “resolution”, that you’re piling on extra pressure and an increased chance for failure.  Who wants to start out a brand new year with that kind of thing hanging over their head?  Not me!  So they’re not resolutions.  They’re more… my intentions and goals for the year ahead.

My “intentions” last year were more or less successful.  I wanted to be happier.  And, I suppose, I am.  But really, considering the deep, dark hole I was in at this time last year, pretty much anything would be happier than that.  So yes, I am happier.  But I could be MUCH happier.  So there’s still room for improvement there.  I also wanted to be healthier.  That’s another check in the “win” column.  I am definitely healthier.  I am seeing an endocrinologist, taking my thyroid meds regularly and all that good stuff (this is probably why I am “happier” as I don’t have the weight of a bum thyroid dragging my mood down).  I still have weird flakey skin on my forehead, my hair is still falling out (I think less though, so that’s something), and I even think I am less achy.  Definitely healthier.  But again, there’s also room to grow even healthier.

I also did take less customs this last year and wrote more patterns.  Of course, I wanted to do more but I think the 3-4 patterns (one has been written but is still being tested so it’s not released yet) in one year is doing pretty good.  I would like to see that number maybe double this next year but I also realize that would take an enormous amount of work.  So we’ll see.

Finances weren’t really in our control this year.  What we could control I think we did very well at.  But being knee-capped by the state government and the economy at large hasn’t really helped much.  We’ve done the best with what we had available to us and for that I am very happy.   Having my paypal account with the money I’ve made has also been very helpful, even though I’ve also felt the pinch of the economy.   But we haven’t had a single month this year where we’ve run out of money.  All things considered, I think that’s pretty awesome.  So lets hope that trend will continue this next year.

Regarding material goodies there were some wins and some fails.  No washer and dryer, no back fence, and no new Macbook.  BUT we did get new couches (two of them!).  Not too shabby.  And it would appear the washer and dryer AND the Macbook are in the cards for this year.  It all works.  It also seems semi-likely we may get a new van this year.  Lord only knows and a lot of that will depend on whether or not the state stops it with this stupid furlough nonsense, but fingers are crossed.

I also wanted to be a better mom this year.  I think, for the most part, I am.  I have my moments, but finding some happiness again, getting my health in order and Liam going to school have all really helped me a LOT.

So what about THIS year?  I’ve kind of hinted around things but I have yet to really lay out some plans.  So here they are:

1) Less Stress.  This was a very, very, VERY stressful year.  And most of that stress was these last few months.  I know it’s impossible to stop stressful things from creeping up and surprising you, but I can control how I react to them.  I’d like to be calmer this year and worry less.  Worry doesn’t solve tomorrow’s problems, it only robs today of it’s joy.  Remember that.

2) MORE health.  I’m doing pretty okay with the eating better thing.  I know there’s a lot of things I could do a lot better in that regard.  But compared to the average person I’m doing some good things.   I pretty much never drink soda anymore (my choice of beverage when eating out is half lemonade and half iced tea).  We’ve really cut back on things that have high fructose corn syrup in them.  Still off bacon altogether and not even remotely regretting it.  I could certainly do better with cutting sugar out of my diet, perhaps gluten too but one thing at a time.  Mostly, I want to feel better and feel stronger.  That means more activity.  I’d like to, sometime before this year is out, do a 5k.  Notice I didn’t say “run a 5k” because I’m sure I’d be walking most of it.  But it’d be a start.  We’ll see.

3) Less clutter.  I want to get rid of a LOT of the stuff we have around here.  Simplify.  Definitely do a smaller Christmas this year.  Show my children that it isn’t quantity, but quality that counts.  Clean out my closet, donate things we don’t need and/or use to charity, and get rid of all the clutter.  We’ve actually made some strides towards this in the last few months but I know there’s a lot more we could be doing.  I’d like next year to see me sitting here in a less cluttered home.

And I think that’s it.  What else do I need, right?  Most of all I’m just hoping for a GOOD year.  Shoot, I’ll even settle for a year that isn’t awful but that is just normal.  Good might be setting the bar a little too high. I would love for the people in my life to have a better and happier year.  I hate it when my loved ones are hurting.  I think these are some humble goals, don’t you?  Surely I can accomplish all of this easily this year.  Let’s get it on, 2012!

2011 Wrap-up: The Year That Blew

Dec 30, 2011 by Marilyn

I’m not going to do the standard meme this year.  For one thing, I’m kind of sick of it and for another thing, it tends to ask things I don’t find important and leaves out other things that I do.  So I’m doing my own sort of wrap-up this year.  Go me.

This year was not a good year.  There were good things that happened, no doubt about that.  But on the whole, the taste left in my mouth from this long, hard year is altogether unpleasant.  But then, I think this is kind of a theme: last year I was also unhappy with the year on the whole.  Maybe I’m just hard to please.  I think the difference last year was that I was in SUCH a hole mentally and emotionally.  I wasn’t healthy at all and it was taking it’s toll.  But honestly? I would take another 2010 if it meant I would never have another 2011.  That’s just how bad this year was.

We all pretty much know the reasons this year was a hard one.  There was a lot of things that happened to a lot of people that were very, very unpleasant such as the Joplin tornado, the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, the accident at the Reno Air Races, etc and so forth.  So I’m not going to go into that. I’m also not going to rehash losing my brother-in-law which was such an agonizing experience as it unfolded over the last 14 months.  I know how much that sucked.  You can probably guess how much that sucked.  So let’s just leave it at that.

No, I’d rather look at the levity in the last year.  What music, movies, books, television and all that shaped this year.  This is the stuff that helped distract from the bad this year.  That’s amazingly valuable.   This year would have been a complete black hole without it all.

Music of 2011
I think the song that will end up reminding me the most of this year was LMFAO’s “Party Rock Anthem”.  That song is just plain infectious and everytime I hear it, I want to dance and pump my fists.  I think this song in particular highlighted everyone’s desire to shed the problems of the world and let loose and enjoy life.  Happy songs don’t always indicate a happy time.  Sometimes they just show a desire to escape from the bad.  This song was nothing but fun.  Love it.

Also notable this year:
“Edge of Glory” by Lady Gaga.  My favorite song off her new album and probably Evie’s favorite song in the world.
“Firework” by Katy Perry.  This one might have come out at the end of 2010 but to me it reminds me of the early months of 2011 where the uplifting lyrics really made me want to be better.
“Forget You” by Cee Lo Green.  The clean version.  I love the mood of this song.  It’s toe-tapping, nose-thumbing anthem.
“We Found Love” by Rihanna.  I know this is a new one but omg, I cannot stop listening to it.  Darn you, Rihanna.
“Cheers (Drink to that) by Rihanna. Again.  That girl gets around.  Cheers to the freakin’ weekend!

Television of 2011
This was a GREAT year for television!  We still don’t watch a whole lot.  Network tv (as in ABC, NBC, etc) is still pretty much dead to us.  I know there’s a lot of network shows that a good number of people love and support but we just never have gotten into them.  Besides, we had enough to keep us busy over on cable!

“Breaking Bad” on AMC is far and away the best TV of the year.  I am so, so happy that we finally caught up with this show because it was a REVELATION to us this last summer.  And season 4 was so amazingly awesome (that finale!!) that I honestly don’t see how season 5 could even come close.  God Bless Walter White!

Also of note:
“Boardwalk Empire” on HBO. What was WITH that finale, huh?  Geezum crow!  Always fascinating, this show is.  I always root for Nucky and I suppose I still will but I have to make my peace first.
“Game of Thrones” on HBO.  What a crazy show this is!  I guess if I had to say one thing about it it would be: Don’t get too attached to your favorite characters.  I don’t think anyone is safe on this show. I can’t wait for it to start up again.
“Walking Dead” on AMC.  This show has it’s moments.  The second season hasn’t quite been what the first was but I’m holding out hope for when it picks back up in February.
“True Blood” on HBO.  I’m including this mostly just because we still watch but season 4 was a disappointment.  Season 5 will have to step it up a lot.

Movies of 2011
We got to see a few more movies in theaters this last year because a) the little kids are old enough to go to movies more often now and b) Harry is old enough to stay home with the little ones at night for Kile and I to see a movie here and there.  Plus there’s redbox and Netflix and all the other marvelous ways to watch.  Lord, but I love movies.

I give the edge this year to “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2″.  It’s a tough choice because there were many really REALLY good movies this year.  But this was the LAST installment of Harry Potter and it was a mind blower.  I didn’t get to see it until several weeks after it’s release and even then it was at the drive-in which doesn’t always make for the most immersive experience.  But.  It still got me.  It was THAT good. I have goosebumps just thinking about it now even.  Of COURSE we got it on blu-ray the day it was released.  No brainer.  Fantastic movie.

Also of note:
“Bridesmaids” – I didn’t see this one until redbox unfortunately, but it was worth the wait.  LOVED it.  Most of all, believe it or not, I loved Chris O’Dowd the most.  It was this role and this movie that made us look up “The I.T. Crowd” on Netflix and watch all the past episodes.  I’m a fan for life, yo.
“Crazy, Stupid, Love” – The hype for this one was spot on.  I can’t believe I waited to redbox this one too.  Everyone was spot on in this one.  The feeling, the comdedy, everything was pitch perfect.  And I kinda get the whole Ryan Gosling thing now.
“Super 8″ – ANOTHER one I foolishly waited until redbox to see.  And again, the hype was correct.  The nostalgia was thick in this one and I ate it up with a spoon.  I need this one on blu-ray.  I have the above 3, but not this one.  Yet.

Books of 2011
I really started reading again this year and can I just say?  I’m SO glad I did.  Reading is a fantastic outlet; it stimulates the mind and helps me calm down before going to sleep each night.  And I read some GREAT books this last year.  I really don’t know if I can say one book was better than any other because lord.  So many good ones.

But I have to give the edge to “Unbroken” by Laura Hillenbrand.  It’s a non-fiction biography and if you haven’t heard of it or read it do yourself a favor and get your hands on a copy.  It is an inspiring story to end all inspiring stories.  And it’s all TRUE, which is the most incredible part.  You gotta read this one.  JUST TRUST ME.  This book has been on the best seller list all year for a very, very good reason.

The rest of these books are a very close second.
“The Hunger Games Trilogy” by  Suzanne Collins.  Sure, wasn’t written in 2011.  But I read it in 2011.  And it totally blew my mind in 2011.  Twilight who?  Forget about it.  It’s all about Katniss. I cannot WAIT for the movie.
“Water for Elephants” by Sara Gruen.  Also not written in 2011.  But who cares.  I loved it.  I never knew I loved old-timey circuses and elephants until I read this book.  That’s high praise.
“A Discovery of Witches” by Deborah Harkness.  I read this one for the BlogHer Book Club and LOVED it.  Again, it takes Twilight and kicks it out the window.  THIS is what a vampire book should be.  I am excited for the sequel.
“11/22/63″ by Stephen King.  The first book I read on my Kindle!  And a GREAT book.  Long but so, so good.  I wish there were more books like this one.  I would read them all in quick succession.
“Steve Jobs” by Walter Isaacson.  I’m reading this one right now, in fact, but I’m including it anyhow.   I’m only about halfway through but already I feel like I have a much broader picture of who Steve Jobs really was.  Nothing so far has been terribly surprising but I suppose I’m mostly surprised that it isn’t all black and white regarding his temperament.  It’s a lot more shades of grey.  Definitely he was a brat.  But he was also amazingly SMART.  I can’t wait to finish it and find myself reading it whenever I catch a moment.

So there you have it.  That is truly the best this last year had to offer us.  Let’s tip a glass to the entertainment that has sustained us through this crap-tastic year and move on to 2012.  (And while we’re at it, let’s hope that the movies aren’t right and that the world isn’t going to end, mmkay?)