Category: Technology

Visiting Aunt Laura in Idaho Falls

 

We’d been promising to go see Aunt Laura for months. It just hadn’t happened. And then she’d had a fall and ended up having to have a hip replacement surgery.    So at that point (the surgery happened 2 weeks ago), I knew we couldn’t put it off any longer. It’s a bit of a long journey though – all the way to Idaho Falls – so I planned on staying a few days.

Once we got there, we hung out with Laura a bit (Daniel didn’t come as he has a deadline; I was mighty impressed with myself that thanks to my amazing new GPS I was able to – with confidence – drive all the way by myself to her home).  We spread the drive out over 2 days (even though non-stop it would have taken about 11 hours) and the kids were amazing.  I was actually dreading it, truth be told, but in the end it was really nice and I was extremely proud of my achievement.

The first day Jayden swam in Laura’s pool; he loves it there and Ethan ran around the apartment like the lunatic he is (well, crawled; he’s almost walking – been cruising for months).  The next day we went to the Funland Amusement Park, which is really close to her home; she’d been telling me about it for a long time, probably trying to encourage me to come visit.  It was not so age-appropriate for Jayden, (and certainly not for Ethan!) but there were some things he could do. He definitely wasn’t interested in the three rollercoasters, but there again, I don’t think he’ll want to do it even when he’s older!  He’s just that kind of personality.

We were there the whole day and at one point it start drizzling a bit so we went inside and Jayden loved the Ten Pin Bowling.  I actually went on the slot machines for a bit which really took me back – I used to love playing on them years ago.  We had a yummy lunch and there were lots of things to do at the restaurant for Jayden and Ethan.  In fact, I think that was the best part of the day!

Anyway the most important reason for our trip was to see Laura and she indeed was delighted we’d come.  The next couple of days we were there the kids watched movies and played with the few toys she has for her grandchildren and Laura and I really hung out. It was good to see her.  I shouldn’t leave it so long; as a kid, growing up, she was always so good to me and I’m glad I (finally) made the effort to see her.

Self-Closing Drawers for Peace at Home

My husband – Daniel – and I, have been arguing (well, not exactly arguing, more, shall we say, not quite agreeing) on the drawer “situation” in our house.  He complains that I never close them.  I say that it’s really not such a big deal, and, truthfully, the junk he daily leaves on the dining room table is way more offensive than a few drawers that aren’t quite shut all the way.  And then what started as a mild disagreement spirals and we end up talking about our finances and blah, blah, blah.

So given that Christmas is coming up and he really is the most impossible person to buy a gift for (given that as soon as Apple comes up with anything new he’s the first one in the line waiting to make the purchase, such as the iPhone 4S – although why he needs yet another addition of what just to me looks like a phone, is anyone’s guess), I figured the whole drawer-closing stress in our house should come to an end with an appropriate gift.

So, I started looking online for a solution – hubby would be proud – my first attempt is to go all tekkie, instead of browsing the pages of a Radio Shack catalogue.  I just Googled “drawer closer” and came up with two pretty awesome product ideas.

First, there’s the drawer that is designed to close on its own, specifically for kitchen drawers.  You start closing it and then it does the rest of the job itself!  So even if I don’t quite close the drawer, I don’t need to worry as this self-closing drawer takes over for me.  As well, there are smaller, cheaper, perhaps less invasive products that could be used for any drawers, which would mean we wouldn’t have to renovate the house by putting in new drawers, to make peace in our happy home.  These are being sold by Woodcraft and look really neat.

So I was really thrilled that I had this thought.  And I was excited to purchase the inserts from Woodcraft. Until I realized I may actually have to bring the hubby in on it all for installation. Sigh.  That made me a little sad.  But there again, I could always try figuring it out myself and see where I get; you never know, I may even be a dab hand at Mrs. Fixit and that would make hubby really proud!  It could be a jolly old Christmas after all…Santa Claus is on his way!

TV’s to Become Modernized?

Due to all sorts of new and exciting modern technology and gadgets, it seems that it is becoming harder and harder to sell televisions at the top prices they used to be able to demand. So companies selling televisions have to come up with new ways to entice today’s customers. And they have been. For example, last week it was revealed that Sharp Corp. is beginning to offer a Freestyle Aquos line of liquid crystal display television sets.

These new televisions do not depend on where the aerial plug is situated due to a tuner which is able to wirelessly send broadcast signals to a TV anywhere else in the home. As one executive from Sharp pointed out, “for people wanting to move around all the furniture and freely design their homes, the TV has been a bottleneck.”

Pushing Into the 21st Century

This new product from Sharp shows how television manufactures are attempting to respond to the demands of the modern technological world. As a general rule, these manufacturers have been losing substantial finances over the last few years. According to an article in Home Toys just two years ago, Samsung Electronics “mass-produced light emitting diode-backlit TV sets ahead of rivals.” When the 3D televisions first begun last year, it was hoped that this would help but it didn’t. Internet-enabled televisions were introduced that work on a software developed by Google so the “smart TVs…became one of the major themes at the annual Consumer Electronics Show.”

So even though efforts are being made in the television industry to boost profits, it seems like the current ideas in the market may not be the right direction.

Facebook Takes Over the World

Whether you were updating your profile or fighting with your ten-year-old, you have surely dealt with Facebook sometime this week.

Italian blogger and social networking expert Vincenzo Cosenza has created world maps that clearly show how Facebook is slowly but surely taking over the world. The complete collection of maps is posted on the Daily Mail.

The blue areas are those that are dominated by Facebook, while the other colors represent those that primarily use other networks. Sites like MySpace are still used, but are not shown on the maps because it is no longer dominant.

According to Gawker.com, dominant sites like Brazil’s Orkut “can hold off the competition because it’s a default, and nobody wants to migrate to another site, however much more advanced, if their friends won’t follow.”

Ecological Development A Growing Part of Architecture

As technology and science bloom, the world has begun to take more notice of environmental issues. Cities like San Francisco strive to improve the situation by encouraging environmentally-friendly buildings, electric cars and public transportation, while scientists across the globe look into new, less harmful energy sources that can be used on a daily basis.

Many real estate developers also have a significant presence in the ecological sector. Architects and developers like Todd Jersey, Janna Bullock and Barley and Pfeifffer are committed to creating beautiful and practical structures and interiors while protecting the environment. Recently, other organizations have put effort into this concept as well.

Worcester YouthBuild is a program working to incorporate environmental awareness by providing education and job-training in the field. Working alongside Saint-Gobain and CertainTeed, YouthBuild was recently granted $100,000 in support of their work.

The program presents its students with opportunities to build or renovate buildings that are environmentally conscious in their neighborhoods, as well as to gain experience, jobs and credentials. The experience also boosts the students’ leadership skills.

Vice President of Communications for Saint-Gobain Karen Cawkwell said “YouthBuild USA has made a tremendous impact in rebuilding the lives and communities of low-income, disconnected young adults. It is a true honor to partner with such an esteemed organization. We are particularly amazed by the resiliency demonstrated by the students of Worcester YouthBuild. 

is a program working to incorporate environmental awareness by providing education and job-training in the field. Working alongside Saint-Gobain and CertainTeed, YouthBuild was recently granted $100,000 in support of their work.

The program presents its students with opportunities to build or renovate buildings that are environmentally conscious in their neighborhoods, as well as to gain experience, jobs and credentials. The experience also boosts the students’ leadership skills.
Vice President of Communications for Saint-Gobain Karen Cawkwell said “YouthBuild USA has made a tremendous impact in rebuilding the lives and communities of low-income, disconnected young adults. It is a true honor to partner with such an esteemed organization. We are particularly amazed by the resiliency demonstrated by the students of Worcester YouthBuild. “