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!
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