I am not an avid texter. My husband and I do not have a texting plan on our phone. I do text every once in a while though. My best friends and I found it quite useful during the last hurricane. We all sent texts back and forth about house damage and I think I still have the text from one announcing the birth of her daughter three days post-Ike. It would have been difficult for us to communicate by talking since network service was spotty from the jams of people trying to let family member know they were safe. I do not use text lingo. I'm not that great at texting and since it's a dollar a text no matter how long, I don't worry about learning all the lingo. I can usually read a text full of lingo though.
I refuse to text and drive. I do talk and drive and I admit it is a horrible habit and I should stop. Texting and driving seems to be worse though. At least while you are talking you can keep your eyes on the road and at least one hand on the wheel. When you text it is helpful to hold the phone in one hand and push the buttons with the other. Also, it is helpful to watch what you are doing so you don't end up texting gobbly gook! For those reason, I only text when I am standing, sitting, or being led around by my husband.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Pot Luck #55: Getting the Most Out of Facebook
I personally LOVE Facebook. I joined in 2007 during the first iHCPL. Things really picked up on my account about six months later when I first really figured out what I could do with my page. I graduated from a private high school in Norway and now literally know people all over the world. I am up to 111 friends and the number just keeps growing as former school mate whom I haven't seen in 15 years keep getting online. In fact, Facebook has helped my husband (another graduate from the same high school) and I plan our summer vacation. We are doing a roadtrip up to Indianapolis and Chicago and will now visit about half a dozen fellow alumni along the way. They are people we haven't seen in 10-15 years and just got back in touch with thanks to Facebook.
I have quite a few favorite applications on Facebook. The ones I probably use most often are (Lil) Greenpatch and Live Gifts. My husband gave me a virtual goldfish about 9 months ago and I'm determined not to let Goldie die. I like the Greenpatch because of the donation to save the rainforest. I recently tried Virtual Bookshelf and I really like it. I look forward to seeing what it will recommend for me as soon as I FINALLY finish my current reading list... if I ever finish it. As soon as it is working probably it will possibly become my favorite application.
I have quite a few favorite applications on Facebook. The ones I probably use most often are (Lil) Greenpatch and Live Gifts. My husband gave me a virtual goldfish about 9 months ago and I'm determined not to let Goldie die. I like the Greenpatch because of the donation to save the rainforest. I recently tried Virtual Bookshelf and I really like it. I look forward to seeing what it will recommend for me as soon as I FINALLY finish my current reading list... if I ever finish it. As soon as it is working probably it will possibly become my favorite application.
Books, Readers and Beyond: #54 Social Networking Through Books
I am currently a member of the Afternoon Book Club at the Maud Marks Library. We read a little of everything. This month we read The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry. On April 9 we will be discussing The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls. I am a lowtech person (despite my job and how much I actually use technology) and therefore like to do things the old fashioned way. An in-person book club is the best for me.
Our library already has 2 book clubs. My boss is a member of our Evening Book Club and I am a member of the Afternoon Book Club. We have discussed starting a Mystery Book Club which we would take turns moderating but the current book clubs keep us pretty busy. There is one website that we use for book suggestions and discussion questions that is not on the list and is rather surprising to me. At the Maud Marks Library, we use a site called LitLovers. They provide summaries and discussion questions for hundreds of books. For our Mystery Book Club we could start with The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith . The big thing with a book club is making sure everyone has their say. My book club starts with a thumbs up/down approach so everyone is able to give an opinion of a book.
I just signed myself on to Visual Bookshelf on Facebook. It was interesting to see some of the books that it generated for me. Some of the suggestions were either ones I had read or ones that I wanted to read anyway. I have rather eclectic reading tastes. I like the classics but I generally will read anything I can get my hands on and rarely do I find a book I don't like. I was surprised that Visual Bookshelf was able to read me so well. I was able to use it for nearly an hour before it went ballistic on me. (I think I was too excited when adding titles!) It stopped working before I could look up One for the Money by Janet Evanovich but people (including me) really seemed to love the Stephanie Plum series. On Shelfari it seems people either loved or hated the book. It is probably the same for the entire series.
Our library already has 2 book clubs. My boss is a member of our Evening Book Club and I am a member of the Afternoon Book Club. We have discussed starting a Mystery Book Club which we would take turns moderating but the current book clubs keep us pretty busy. There is one website that we use for book suggestions and discussion questions that is not on the list and is rather surprising to me. At the Maud Marks Library, we use a site called LitLovers. They provide summaries and discussion questions for hundreds of books. For our Mystery Book Club we could start with The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith . The big thing with a book club is making sure everyone has their say. My book club starts with a thumbs up/down approach so everyone is able to give an opinion of a book.
I just signed myself on to Visual Bookshelf on Facebook. It was interesting to see some of the books that it generated for me. Some of the suggestions were either ones I had read or ones that I wanted to read anyway. I have rather eclectic reading tastes. I like the classics but I generally will read anything I can get my hands on and rarely do I find a book I don't like. I was surprised that Visual Bookshelf was able to read me so well. I was able to use it for nearly an hour before it went ballistic on me. (I think I was too excited when adding titles!) It stopped working before I could look up One for the Money by Janet Evanovich but people (including me) really seemed to love the Stephanie Plum series. On Shelfari it seems people either loved or hated the book. It is probably the same for the entire series.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Books, Readers and Beyond: #53 Finding Books Online
I used Mapquest to first find Maud Marks and then did a "search nearby" for bookstores. The first one that popped up was Kumon Central Katy. I thought this was a tutoring place. There is no online presence. The second place that popped up was Marismith Books. I had never heard of them either and they have no online presence. Finally a place I had at least heard of, Bookworm Shop. I have passed this place several times in my drives around the Cinco Ranch area, although I had never gone in. There is a website too! You actually have to go there to buy something though. They do not sell anything through their website.
I went to Katy Budget Books to look up One for the Money by Janet Evanovich. It sold for $7.99.
I couldn't find a copy of this one as an audio online. It is not owned as an electronic audio book by Harris County (Although we have many others by Janet Evanovich as audio books!) and it is too new to be in the public domain yet.
I downloaded "An Affair With a Princess" by Michelle Celmer. I'm not a read fan of electronic books. It's kind of hard to curl up with your computer. I do have a friend who prefers reading books in that way though. (He is a computer person.) I suppose I do see the appeal though. A library does not have room for everything customers need now a days. It is easy for a library to expand their collections using the computers. I think it would be helpful if there was no other way to get the book.
I went to Katy Budget Books to look up One for the Money by Janet Evanovich. It sold for $7.99.
I couldn't find a copy of this one as an audio online. It is not owned as an electronic audio book by Harris County (Although we have many others by Janet Evanovich as audio books!) and it is too new to be in the public domain yet.
I downloaded "An Affair With a Princess" by Michelle Celmer. I'm not a read fan of electronic books. It's kind of hard to curl up with your computer. I do have a friend who prefers reading books in that way though. (He is a computer person.) I suppose I do see the appeal though. A library does not have room for everything customers need now a days. It is easy for a library to expand their collections using the computers. I think it would be helpful if there was no other way to get the book.
Books, Readers and Beyond: #52 What to Read
I did a general search on Janet Evanovich's novels. I love her Stephanie Plum series. I looked at Novelist, Morton Grove Public Library's Webrary, and What Should I Read Next? I found the results pretty close to the same Some authors were on at least 2 of the three lists. I even found one I might be interested. I'm going to try the first book in the Bubbles series by Sarah Strohmeyer.
Using Novelist the two books appropriate for a fouth grade girl who likes animals are Bunnicula by James Howe and The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden. The thirteen year old brother might be interested in Kit's Wilderness by David Almond and The Night Tourist by Katherine Marsh.
For the customer who has read everything by Dean Koontz, I would recommend John Saul, Charles Grant (Novelist) or Robert Louis Stevenson (What Should I Read Next?).
According to Mid-Continent Public Library, the Song of the Lioness series by Tamora Pierce includes Alanna: The First Adventure, In the Hand of the Goddess, The Woman Who Rides Like a Man, and Lioness Rampant.
Using Novelist the two books appropriate for a fouth grade girl who likes animals are Bunnicula by James Howe and The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden. The thirteen year old brother might be interested in Kit's Wilderness by David Almond and The Night Tourist by Katherine Marsh.
For the customer who has read everything by Dean Koontz, I would recommend John Saul, Charles Grant (Novelist) or Robert Louis Stevenson (What Should I Read Next?).
According to Mid-Continent Public Library, the Song of the Lioness series by Tamora Pierce includes Alanna: The First Adventure, In the Hand of the Goddess, The Woman Who Rides Like a Man, and Lioness Rampant.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Potluck #51: Holidays and Cooking and Recipes - Oh My!
Farikal- A Norwegian Mutton and Cabbage Recipe
This is a recipe from Allrecipes.com for 4 servings
INGREDIENTS
8 ounces sliced lamb meat
1 head cabbage, cored and sliced
2 cups water
1 1/2 tablespoons whole black peppercorns
salt to taste
DIRECTIONS
Arrange a layer of sliced lamb in the bottom of a Dutch oven or soup pot. Top with a layer of cabbage. Repeat layering as many times as you can. Tie the peppercorns into a small piece of cheesecloth, and place them in the center of the casserole. Pour the water over all, and cover with a lid.
Bring to a boil, then simmer over low heat for 2 hours. Remove the package of peppercorns before serving.
I decided to up it to 6 servings. Using That's My Home Recipe Converter I found out I needed to multiply the recipe by 1.5.
Recipe Adjustment Factor is 1.5 Times Original Amounts (Original Amounts in parentheses.)
Farikal
12 ounces lamb
1.5 heads cabbage
3 cups water
2 tablespoons + 3/4 teaspoon peppercorn
DIRECTIONS
Arrange a layer of sliced lamb in the bottom of a Dutch oven or soup pot. Top with a layer of cabbage. Repeat layering as many times as you can. Tie the peppercorns into a small piece of cheesecloth, and place them in the center of the casserole. Pour the water over all, and cover with a lid.
Bring to a boil, then simmer over low heat for 2 hours. Remove the package of peppercorns before serving.
This is a recipe from Allrecipes.com for 4 servings
INGREDIENTS
8 ounces sliced lamb meat
1 head cabbage, cored and sliced
2 cups water
1 1/2 tablespoons whole black peppercorns
salt to taste
DIRECTIONS
Arrange a layer of sliced lamb in the bottom of a Dutch oven or soup pot. Top with a layer of cabbage. Repeat layering as many times as you can. Tie the peppercorns into a small piece of cheesecloth, and place them in the center of the casserole. Pour the water over all, and cover with a lid.
Bring to a boil, then simmer over low heat for 2 hours. Remove the package of peppercorns before serving.
I decided to up it to 6 servings. Using That's My Home Recipe Converter I found out I needed to multiply the recipe by 1.5.
Recipe Adjustment Factor is 1.5 Times Original Amounts (Original Amounts in parentheses.)
Farikal
12 ounces lamb
1.5 heads cabbage
3 cups water
2 tablespoons + 3/4 teaspoon peppercorn
DIRECTIONS
Arrange a layer of sliced lamb in the bottom of a Dutch oven or soup pot. Top with a layer of cabbage. Repeat layering as many times as you can. Tie the peppercorns into a small piece of cheesecloth, and place them in the center of the casserole. Pour the water over all, and cover with a lid.
Bring to a boil, then simmer over low heat for 2 hours. Remove the package of peppercorns before serving.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Potluck #50: Global Nation
O.K. I wasn't quite able to plan any dream vacation with these websites. We're going on a road trip this summer to Chicago and back so I thought I would use Simpatigo to find things on my way. The problem was the map was too big and when I tried breaking it up, there really is nothing to see between here and Hot Springs Village, AR (our first stop).
So, I decided to leave that trip alone since it will be more about seeing people than sseeingn sights.
I then tried Tripbase. I liked this sight quite a bit. However, the big European trip my husband and I are planning next year to Geneva and possibly Brussels didn't come up either. I suppose it was because I set the budget amount to low. Really we aren't planning on spending a huge amount of money for hotels. You see, we have friends in both cities begging us to come and visit. We have places to stay so really transportation would be our big expenses.
I did find out that we could afford a trip to Copenhagen or Stockholm. It's funny, I've seen most of Denmark and used to know the Kobenhavn airport like the back of my hand, but I've never actually been in the city itself. The Copenhagen card sounds like fun and I'd love to take the train for a day trip into Sweden. We would probably spend a lot of time exploring all the castles in the area, oh and the gardens. Even just a walk through downtown always proves to be colorful with all the buildings around. We would probably go in June, right after he finishes the school year, the rain in that area usually start up again around the end of July but May and June are usually gorgeous in that part of the world. Perhaps during the trip we could actually even spend a few days in Sweden since I've never been there either. Yeah, that sounds like a lot of fun!
So, I decided to leave that trip alone since it will be more about seeing people than sseeingn sights.
I then tried Tripbase. I liked this sight quite a bit. However, the big European trip my husband and I are planning next year to Geneva and possibly Brussels didn't come up either. I suppose it was because I set the budget amount to low. Really we aren't planning on spending a huge amount of money for hotels. You see, we have friends in both cities begging us to come and visit. We have places to stay so really transportation would be our big expenses.
I did find out that we could afford a trip to Copenhagen or Stockholm. It's funny, I've seen most of Denmark and used to know the Kobenhavn airport like the back of my hand, but I've never actually been in the city itself. The Copenhagen card sounds like fun and I'd love to take the train for a day trip into Sweden. We would probably spend a lot of time exploring all the castles in the area, oh and the gardens. Even just a walk through downtown always proves to be colorful with all the buildings around. We would probably go in June, right after he finishes the school year, the rain in that area usually start up again around the end of July but May and June are usually gorgeous in that part of the world. Perhaps during the trip we could actually even spend a few days in Sweden since I've never been there either. Yeah, that sounds like a lot of fun!
Monday, March 9, 2009
Potluck #49: L'amore di lingue - Love of Languages
After looking them all over, Mangolanguages seems to fit me best. It is self-paced and completely individual. I'm not one for social online learning. If I learn a language in a social setting, I want to do it in an old-fashioned classroom, not online.
When it comes to languages, I decided I wanted to pick a fun one for me, Norsk. Since I already have a background from living in Norway, I thought I would pick it up again. Problem... there were no "classes" available on LiveMocha. It isn't my learning style anyway.
I set myself up an account with the library's version of Mangolanguages. Norwegian was not a languaged offered but I did try the Spanish, and I think I might try the German if I ever have time. It is slow, considering I remember a little from high school but I'm thinking it will eventually pick up.
As for Wikibooks... well... its put out by Wikipedia, 'nough said. (I really don't mind wikipedia as it could be a good jumping off point but I don't see Wikibooks as being a "jumping off point.")
I will definitely be showing this to patrons if they ask and will probably try it myself to improve my Spanish, something I DEFINITELY need!
When it comes to languages, I decided I wanted to pick a fun one for me, Norsk. Since I already have a background from living in Norway, I thought I would pick it up again. Problem... there were no "classes" available on LiveMocha. It isn't my learning style anyway.
I set myself up an account with the library's version of Mangolanguages. Norwegian was not a languaged offered but I did try the Spanish, and I think I might try the German if I ever have time. It is slow, considering I remember a little from high school but I'm thinking it will eventually pick up.
As for Wikibooks... well... its put out by Wikipedia, 'nough said. (I really don't mind wikipedia as it could be a good jumping off point but I don't see Wikibooks as being a "jumping off point.")
I will definitely be showing this to patrons if they ask and will probably try it myself to improve my Spanish, something I DEFINITELY need!
#46 Movie Maker Basics: You Oughta be in Pictures- or Making Them!
O.K. So my husband and I are starting to get into this whole videos from a digital still camera thing. I recently took the "You Oughta be in Pictures" training and got inspired. The next weekend, my handbell choir played an original piece written by a high school senior at our church at a regional handbell festival. My husband had a little problem with figuring out recording, but managed to get the final climatic minute (the best part) of the piece on the camera.
That next week, I figured out how to downnload it onto my home computer, convert it to .wmv and imported to Windows Movie Maker. I added a title screen and then figured out how to get the video to fade into the rolling credits. It was really cool if I say so myself.
When I was done, I went to upload the final project to YouTube so that I could link it to my Facebook account and share it with all of my friends. Oops... it wouldn't upload. I guess I need to go to the next post to figure out what I was doing wrong.
That next week, I figured out how to downnload it onto my home computer, convert it to .wmv and imported to Windows Movie Maker. I added a title screen and then figured out how to get the video to fade into the rolling credits. It was really cool if I say so myself.
When I was done, I went to upload the final project to YouTube so that I could link it to my Facebook account and share it with all of my friends. Oops... it wouldn't upload. I guess I need to go to the next post to figure out what I was doing wrong.
#45 Making a Video: An Overview
O.K. I have decided that I definitely do not like Animoto. It might be "easy" to use for some but I definitely do not see it. I was able to upload the pictures that I wanted to use and choose music. Then, when I pressed play, it did nothing... nothing! It didn't even try flipping through my pictures. Needless to say, I was not impressed.
I do like Windows Movie Maker. I'm sure it's a lot more challenging to use, but I think the options of adding video and pictures together as well as putting the music where I want it is a little more freeing. I have fun playing around with Windows Movie Maker as I add titles and credits. I have great plans for using it again in the future. I will not be returning to Animoto anytime soon.
I do like Windows Movie Maker. I'm sure it's a lot more challenging to use, but I think the options of adding video and pictures together as well as putting the music where I want it is a little more freeing. I have fun playing around with Windows Movie Maker as I add titles and credits. I have great plans for using it again in the future. I will not be returning to Animoto anytime soon.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
A Consumer's How To # 44: How To & Make
I found these websites very interesting. Among my favorites was HowStuffWorks. I found it quite philisophical. One of the first articles I found was called "How Barack Obama Works". They also had one titled "Did a U.S. President Rewrite a Bible?" My favorite was "How the Grim Reaper Works."
I found WikiHow extremely helpful. I especially liked the article "How to Cat Proof Your Christmas Tree." http://www.wikihow.com/Cat-Proof-Your-Christmas-Tree We have 4 cats at home. Three of these cats just think the Christmas tree is a really cool place to hide; not a big deal. One cat, however, thinks the Christmas tree looks a lot like Mount Everest. We have to keep him locked up 24/7 during the Christmas season and it really bugs me. I think I will try the Bitter Apple spray the next time. I also like the idea of Orange peels around the Christmas tree. The problem is, our cats are very strange. We have one cat that doesn't like the smell of oranges but 2 that don't mind it. I can remember if the Christmas tree climbing cat hates citrus or not. I may have to try that next Christmas as well.
I found WikiHow extremely helpful. I especially liked the article "How to Cat Proof Your Christmas Tree." http://www.wikihow.com/Cat-Proof-Your-Christmas-Tree We have 4 cats at home. Three of these cats just think the Christmas tree is a really cool place to hide; not a big deal. One cat, however, thinks the Christmas tree looks a lot like Mount Everest. We have to keep him locked up 24/7 during the Christmas season and it really bugs me. I think I will try the Bitter Apple spray the next time. I also like the idea of Orange peels around the Christmas tree. The problem is, our cats are very strange. We have one cat that doesn't like the smell of oranges but 2 that don't mind it. I can remember if the Christmas tree climbing cat hates citrus or not. I may have to try that next Christmas as well.
A Consumer's How To # 43: Buying & Selling Online
Well, I'm not one for buying from online auction sites. I really just use the Internet to buy from Amazon.com and plane tickets from various travel websites. I have used Craigslist before to find a lawn guy. He ended up being extremely rude and obnoxious. I was unable to find a way to comment on his ad and have not really trusted Craigslist since.
I think Half.com might be an interesting site to find music and movies. However, with today's dominate digital media (CDs and DVD) I have discovered that when used in many different machines, some not as well maintained as others, the disk tends to get scratched and is unreadable very quickly. Therefore, I do not trust previously used media and would not buy anything from this website for that reason.
I was a little surprised at EBay, not at the site itself, but at what I was looking at. I decided to have a little fun with it and look up my favorite baseball player, Craig Biggio. I found his rookie card with a starting bid of $.99 and no bids on it yet. There was only 9 1/2 hours left on the bid. It kind of proves how undervalued he has always been just because he spent his entire career with a middle of the road MLB team. It's a shame, but I'm not going after it. I have better things to spend my money on than sports memorabilia that my children will not value someday (like saving up for that trip to Cooperstown to see him inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame!) I think of the three though, EBay was my favorite and the one I would be most likely to use.
I am a slight technophob; therefore, I don't see me using one of these sites for my own personal use. When I have something I can no longer use, I give it to Goodwill. I feel they need the money more than I do.
I think PayPal is a very good idea. I kind of like the idea that I can use it on multiple website. The problem is the stores I use most often, Amazon and Travelocity do not accept PayPal. I guess this means I need to branch out with my online shopping. Perhaps I will do my Christmas shopping for my cats online (PetSmart) next fall.
I think Half.com might be an interesting site to find music and movies. However, with today's dominate digital media (CDs and DVD) I have discovered that when used in many different machines, some not as well maintained as others, the disk tends to get scratched and is unreadable very quickly. Therefore, I do not trust previously used media and would not buy anything from this website for that reason.
I was a little surprised at EBay, not at the site itself, but at what I was looking at. I decided to have a little fun with it and look up my favorite baseball player, Craig Biggio. I found his rookie card with a starting bid of $.99 and no bids on it yet. There was only 9 1/2 hours left on the bid. It kind of proves how undervalued he has always been just because he spent his entire career with a middle of the road MLB team. It's a shame, but I'm not going after it. I have better things to spend my money on than sports memorabilia that my children will not value someday (like saving up for that trip to Cooperstown to see him inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame!) I think of the three though, EBay was my favorite and the one I would be most likely to use.
I am a slight technophob; therefore, I don't see me using one of these sites for my own personal use. When I have something I can no longer use, I give it to Goodwill. I feel they need the money more than I do.
I think PayPal is a very good idea. I kind of like the idea that I can use it on multiple website. The problem is the stores I use most often, Amazon and Travelocity do not accept PayPal. I guess this means I need to branch out with my online shopping. Perhaps I will do my Christmas shopping for my cats online (PetSmart) next fall.
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