Just a Thought: Texting

I'd love to see this happen, just once.
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Black Veil & a Feather Boa

My Kindle Fire died Saturday evening for no apparent reason.  Maybe just old age, or perhaps planned obsolescence.  No matter, it's toast. I had recently downloaded a few books to hold me over when I receive  transfusions. And now?  "Poof"  All gone.  Bother!

I am in mourning. It was a gift less then 2 years old, and included a 2-year extended replacement warrantee, which means I can get a new one.  Which means I also have to wait…maybe.

So, I collected the necessary papers yesterday and took my sweet self the Staples technical desk to find out what to do next. They couldn't have been nicer. Claims aren't processed locally, nor do they provide a new product, but give a URL address to their  "square deal" site.  Couldn't have been easier.  Hopped on the site, input requested data, then spoke to a REAL, LIFE, BREATHING human being.

Tony!  He asked the usual inane questions: did you try another electrical outlet?, a different charger?, was the item dropped or have any visual damage? When I explained that the Kindle and the charger got very hot during that final attempt to charge the thing, he quickly said that it was likely a problem with the innards of the Kindle itself, and no fault of my own. Well, thanks for that vote of confidence! 

Tony gave me a "return authorization" number then sent an email with instructions for returning the item.  Smooth. Took everything to the UPS store this morning, packed up the Kindle with copies of all the paperwork, JIC, and sent it on to never-land, somewhere in eastern Texas… oh my!

Meanwhile, I am lost without reading material to help pass the time while resting in bed during the day or spending a day at the Center receiving blood. 

Isn't it funny how quickly we become addicted to certain technology.  Withdrawal, as you probably already know, is a bitch! In the old days, I would have just grabbed a real book and been done.  That ship has sailed.

It's very sad, really. They do not repair these things anymore.   I do hope they recycle the innards and don't just chuck it all in landfills. 

Had to run a quick errand in town before coming home. I noticed there were open parking spots near Dos Locos, so decided to show my smiling face and welcome the locosguys home - they just returned from their 3 weeks in Mexico. It was great fun. The restaurant was busy, but (thankfully) no kids. I got to remove the mask, relax, and enjoy the company of friends. 

Two staffers are real geeks (who usually agree on nothing), after hearing my Kindle tale of woe, suggested I had just hit the mother lode. No more Kindles, they said.  Get a REAL Android Tablet, they said. Improved technology has lowered prices and I can purchase something thrice as fast and reliable for the same price as 2 years ago.  But I need something small and light - nothing big and flashy, if you get my drift.  The arthritis and cramping in the hands make manipulating anything large (or too small) out of the question. 

They agreed on either the Samsung Tab - 3, or the Google Nexus 7. Both come close in price to the presumed refund and both are only 7" tall. I have homework to do before I buy either one. 

If any of you geeks reading this want to weigh in on the new tablet, please leave a comment.  I'd appreciate any and all information you're willing to offer.

Limited: Tony told me that the certificate would be valid only if used at the store, not online.  So that puts many limits on my choices. If up to it,  I'll drop by the store again tomorrow to see what I can discover - maybe there's even a sales associate who knows what they're talking about willing to answer my questions.

Just as an aside, here:  Watched part of Palin's speech at CPAC yesterday and it suddenly occurred to me that the only beings able to follow along and make any sense her word-salad rhetoric are the paste-eating mouth-breathers with the IQ just a tick above a Rubber plant. What a festering bile-wagon that crazy woman is from head to toe.

Never mind…where was I?  

And so it goes.

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TMI - CALL ME

Another set of questions posed by Sean (Just a Jeep Guy) to share a little more info about ourselves, and our lives. This week's topic:  Telephones in all manner, shape, and form.

1. Do you still have a land line? 

Yes.  It's cheap enough ($10. monthly) and I trust it in emergencies more than a cell phone.

2. Which cell phone do you use and why?

iPhone4 - because it was free. My previous smartphone died a slow death and my carrier was recently able to offer Apple products, so I jumped on the offer. Free phone, shipping, activation and $5.00 off monthly fee.

3. Which provider do you use? Is there really a difference?

Virgin Mobile.  (Carrier is Sprint.) Yes, there's a big difference for me. Price and options are perfect for my needs and no 2-year contract.

4. If you call someone and they don't pick up, do you leave a message?

Yes. Especially if the call is important.

5. When you have a missed call (with no message), do you call the person back?

No, unless I recognize the number. "Private Caller" incoming calls go directly to voicemail - if you don't want me to know who you are, I don't want to talk to you.

6. Do you txt willingly or reluctantly? How are your skills?

Willingly.  I like texting. Used a lot at work. My skills are not great, but I do voice texting for more complicated messages.

7. Has your cell replaced your camera? 

Nope, and it probably never will.  

8. Selfies....

I believe I've done one. I enjoy being in photos with others. Self photos are not my thing. I know what I look like and see myself daily - in the mirror while brushing teeth or shaving.

9. How many apps do you have? Which is your favorite and why? I'm not sure what that means. The phone came with many apps. I've added 3 of my own, and they were free.  Google Earth is probably the fave.

0. What would life be like with no cell/smart phone for one month?

I'd prefer life completely without the cellphone. I like privacy. Don't like everyone knowing where I am every minute of the day. I don't answer calls or texts while driving, dining, or even shopping.  Dangerous and rude. That said, with current health and medical issues, I'm glad I have it for emergencies.

BONUS

How much has your cell phone become a part of your sex life? Sexting, hookup apps, selfies, video, GPS, more?

Haahahahahahahahahahahahaha!  That's funny...

And so it goes.

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A Search, A Celebration, & A Surprise

Yesterday I began shopping for a new phone. Chose to remain with the present carrier, so the search was on at their site for their offerings. This kind of shopping is like no other. A phone by a manufacturer may look the same as another model - price appears to be the only difference - the features of one may overshadow the other. And, many of those gimmicks are lost on me. I have no idea what they're for, how to use them and probably will have no use for them anyway. 

I looked at smartphones like mine, (it's still available and tempting to go with what I already know) then I thought of going back to the simple life with a flip-phone. They cost so little and are much smaller today than my last one.

However, the reality of my fat fingers tapping on teeny-tiny keyboards turned me off to that option.  Oh, how quickly we are spoiled. I could never use one of those tiny things again and besides, I've gotten used to using the bluetooth, voice-texting option. Like I said, spoiled.

So I shopped and shopped, compared various options (I mean, what is advanced GPS and how will it make my life/world better?) and manufacturers, including LG, Virgin's own "AWE" (not making this up) with a "Apple-like front facing camera for video and chat", to Samsung's sleek new Android version of a Mercedes, until mine head vas schpinning.  Who knew there were so many different phones with all those options?  Not I.

I was dizzy, more confused than ever.  Decided a breather was in order with either a cold compress or a good night's rest. I chose the latter. Slept like a stone. Dreamed of owls and woke well rested.

Today's diversion - a couple of hours celebrating Linda's (our GM) 50th birthday party at the restaurant - was a marvelous time. Attended by many of her Irish friends as well as other locals and restaurant staff it was grand to be out celebrating with Linda, as well as celebrating being out in general. I had a glass of wine, schmoozed, and made the rounds. Great fun but I quickly tired out, said my good-byes, and drove home.  

Two social engagements, 2 days in a row…how much more could my poor little heart handle? It felt good to be alive and out among the living, especially with dear friends/co-workers who did their damnedest to take care and watch over me.  Bless them, really. 

Anyway…Meanwhile, back sat the ranch...

The new phone saga continued. With clear head and un-crossed eyes a return to the search brought up a tab unnoticed yesterday.  Under the "Specials" menu I spotted an item called "iPhone4 - Apple". I didn't know what to make of it, never dreamed Virgin would (could) offer Apple products.  I was wrong. Then I thought they must be refurbished.  Wrong again.

Clicking on "details" under iPhone4 I got quite a shock. New phones with all standard features - but no price.  A "Place in cart to see special price." appeared.  So I did. Happy surprise.  How much more of this can I take?  Dunno, but I am liking it. 

For $199. (12 payments financed) or prepaid for $99. the iPhone4 could be mine.  Well, say Hello to a no-brainer!  Whipped out the Discover Card (extra 5% cash back on online purchases through 12/31) with free 1-day shipping, and I'll receive a $15. credit for returning the dead phone.

Well, before you could say, "Prissy, get the rose water" I clicked the "Place Your Order" button and the new phone will be in my hot little hands tomorrow between 8 am and 8 pm. There weren't many left, and I believe I snagged the last White one available.  I didn't see clues that this was only a Holiday Weekend Special, but I am happy I found it. It's nice to know Virgin is an authorized Apple carrier.  Who'da thunk it?

The iPhone4 is not the latest and greatest (that would be me, of course!) but it's more than I will ever need.

Activation is free, and I'll find out if I keep my present phone number or must select a new one.  I'm not overly attached to the present number anyway, so a new one may be on my gay agenda in the near future. The current month's usage should carry over to the new phone.  Again, there is no extra charge for the iPhone service. I get to keep my current plan.

Stunned, pleased, and giddy from wine and the all round good vibes.  Yes, that's the ticket. That is a good day.

And so it goes.

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Do You Hear What I Hear?

No, it ain't no shepherd boy, little lamb, or mighty king, either. No, It would be silence.  

Jeremy called.  The cell phone, she is all but dead. Not worth the cost of repair (I bought it new at a 50% off sale price for $99. back in 2011 when I chose Virgin.  I think I got my money's worth. It seems to be planned, built-in obsolescence. I believe we can thank Henry Ford for that idea.

I am about to shop for a new phone and actually, I'm looking forward to a new learning experience; a lot of innovations have been introduced since 2010.  Yes, I know I have lots of time on my hands, and yes, I am bored to tears. Never mind.

Had a fun time at lunch with Ron (Retired in Delaware) at the Henlopen City Oyster House here in town.  This was a birthday gift 2 years in the making. Don't ask. We finally did it and that's what counts. I'm sure he'll have other pictures on his site. Ron tried the Henlopen City Burger (an unbelievable concoction with a mushroom & onion gruyere gratin, a tomato & bacon jam, and lettuce) which he seemed to like very much. I had the Oysters Rockefeller appetizer (see Ron's photo above, yes it is pilfered) and a Shrimp Po-Boy. Everything was delicious as always. 

Town was really hopping today, probably because it is the annual "Shop Local, Shop Small" day, which is usually a great boon for local businesses and holiday shoppers alike. That said, parking was at a premium and Ron (the dear) parked so far away I drove him back to his car after lunch. 

The gray sky, cold temps, and threat of rain did nothing to dampen my spirits. While a walk on the boardwalk would have been nice bonus, I must say it was great to be out (anywhere) in the fresh air and enjoy a fine meal and good company. The added bonus was the opportunity to watch Ron play with his new toy iPhone and show his newly acquired knowledge of many of its bells and whistles.  Fun to watch.  

May we never, never, ever grow up.

With that thought in mind, it is time for my own hunting expedition in search of a new phone.  I plan to stay with Virgin Mobile. The recent customer service I received made my mind up on that one. Besides, I prefer the no contract option of their "Beyond Talk" program.  For $35. per month I get unlimited text and data plus 300 anytime voice minutes.

Phones are always cheaper, or free with a signed 2 year contract.  So…Why no contract?  I don't like one-way contracts where one party is bound to the original terms of the agreement, but the other party is not.  It's not a contract when the rules can be changed at will. It's a game that's always rigged in favor of the other party.  Not to mention the monthly fees are obscene. OK, I mentioned it. 

Paying for the phone is more logical, as the low monthly fees pay for the new phone in less time without strings attached.  Virgin Mobile also offers free shipping and activation, so what's not to like for someone like me?

I'd consider buying the extended warranty this time round if I thought I might be around to need it.  But, nah!

Anyway, let's go shopping!  Wheeeeeeeee!

And so it goes.

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Dead Turkey Aftermath

Well, that holiday went quickly and quietly.  At least for me. Unable to reach the sister to offer good wishes - tried all day - so I suppose she was out with neighbors enjoying good food and fun times. She deserves all the good times and laughter she gets. 

Couldn't reach my carrier by phone yesterday, so I sent an email to support explaining the cell phone situation and the odd bit about missed calls and delayed text messages. I didn't expect much - it being a holiday, and all - but believe it or not, Tech. Rep. Jeremy called (I left the land line number in the message) just before I sat down to afternoon dinner. 

Jeremy entered all the particulars of the phone, then proceeded to spend the better part of an hour troubleshooting the problem.  All phones on the Virgin network - as those on Tracfone - contain locked, proprietary hardware, no open source or replaceable SIM cards.  I hope that makes sense.  

 He walked me through everything I had already done while he was somehow logged onto the line, or something like that. Then he put me on hold and poked around the innards by himself to explore what might be the problem. Anyway, nothing worked.

Meanwhile, I poured myself a festive Eggnog and waited.

He returned saying he thought the phone may be dying, but promised to check with their LG specialists today and get back to me. He warned not to get my hopes up and frankly, I was too tired (and hungry!) to expend that much energy, anyhow.  

I enjoyed a little warm étouffée with rice, cool shrimp remoulade, and a glass of wine.  First to touch my lips in 3 months and it knocked me out.  Not necessarily a bad thing. Had I stayed awake boredom would have seeped in and drowned my soul.

Thanksgiving?  Giving Thanks?

If I were to make a list of things to be thankful for this year it would be a short one, indeed. The negatives far outweigh the positives.

In the past when things looked bleak I could always be grateful for my good health. The world isn't so bad, if you have your health. Right?  Well, life has been looking pretty grim this year and it's attributable to  my poor health. 

Last I checked, I am in a kind of limbo adrift somewhere between a marrow transplant and acute Leukemia.  Take your pick.  Depends on who you listen to, and when.  

I hope Jeremy calls back this afternoon. I'm sure he will; he sounded like a 'see-it-through' kind of guy.  No matter the news I won't be upset. It's only a phone, f'chrissakes!  I'll just get a brand-y new phone, is all. It is what it is. 

Pity Party of One!  Your table is ready.

And so it goes.

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No Thanks for Cell Phone or Surgeon

The rains have gone; the winds have not. There's been a 30' drop in temperature overnight and it isn't expected to get anywhere near yesterday's high. It looks as though the sun is going to appear sometime today, as well. 

Today's gay agenda was to include a stroll on the Boardwalk and some quiet time by the ocean, but it is far to cold and windy for that. 

That being the case, more videos are likely to be the order of the day. Last afternoon and evening, I watched a 3-part BBC series titled "Men of Rock" (no, not about musicians, silly!) about the geology of Scotland presented by Iain Stewart, Geologist.  Fascinating viewing with historic anecdotes. Prof. Stewart has a twinkle in his beautiful blue eyes and a great sense of humor. It was interesting and educational, although I knew much of the material covered.  It was the personal stories and history behind the discoveries that was captivating. At least for me. 

On a more serious note, there seems to be an intermittent problem with the cell phone. Although it is easily within hearing range it isn't receiving calls or text message alerts as they come in.  Instead, the calls go to voice mail and the text messages show up sometimes hours later.  (There is a time stamp on them, that's how I know.) Very strange. 

Of course this would happen on a holiday. My dazzling streak of good luck continues. I will wait a few hours and make an attempt to reach customer service at Virgin Mobile and see what they come up with.

I have tried to reboot, turned the unit off and back on again.  I have removed and re-installed the battery, too. Even replaced the battery, using the spare purchased for the NOLA trip.  Nothing.  

Checked the settings, nothing seems to have changed there.  At least nothing obvious, as far as I can tell. I am not tech-savvy, so nothing has changed from the original factory defaults. The Wi-Fi signal here is very strong, so I know that's not the problem either. 

The line is fine. I can still use Face Time without any problems. Perhaps a sacrifice of chargers from various devices to the Gods & Goddesses of electronics is in order. The phone is less than 3 years old. 

This is the 4th LG phone I've purchased, never had  problems in the past.  But this is the first Android/Smart Phone I've ever had.  Are these "smart-phones" programmed to go belly-up when the warranty period expires?  I wonder…

All I know is this situation will never do. I will need a reliable cell phone if (when) I am put in hospital for treatment, surgery, whatever. 

BTW, in case you're following this Cajun's Medical Misadventures, no call (land line phone) from the Christiana Surgeon's office yesterday, so I called them late in the day only to receive a voice message that the office was closed for the WEEKEND, and would reopen on Monday, December 2nd. 

Well, I must remember not to go off and die before Monday, or whenever they choose to get back to me. The local Oncologist's office reopens tomorrow, so if I need a transfusion, at least I can get that here.

More later.

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Note: This is the first post using a new font and larger point size that seems to agree with Blogger. The editing limitations in Blogger offer only a few text options. Other than "normal",  which seems to be too small for some readers the larger options are all headers of one kind or another.  Way too big and exceedingly unattractive for my taste. So, I tried this option. 

If you find this easier on the eyes, you may try it for yourself. I like it because it's clean, crisp and easy to read. The font is available in even the simplest text programs and is very easy to size.

**Trebuchet MS font - 18 point.  Test for Blog posts.**

Say It Ain't So, Verizon!

Back in the day when there was only one telephone company (a monopoly, I'll grant you that) the Bell System developed an infrastructure of lines throughout the hurricane-prone areas of the country, then carried that development to the rest of the eastern seaboard. When hurricanes hit anywhere the single communication link one could rely on was the land-line telephone. Everyone I know in NOLA, for example, may have a cell phone and a cordless phone in the home for convenience, but look in any closet and you will find an old fashioned wired phone for emergencies.  BTW, I still have one in the closet. An old "trimline" number. It came in handy during Sandy last year.

During a big storm, the electric power can be out for days or weeks, cordless phones (run on batteries even though the base is connected to the land-line) are useless, as are cellphones when the towers go down (electricity, again) leaving people stranded with no connection to the outside world. This is when those old phones come out, get plugged in, and will work 99% of the time. After a major hurricane I was able to reach most everyone because they had these old phones. 

Now, Verizon wants to change all that.  Thinking of higher profits rather than customer service and safety, they want to do away with the copper wire, high maintenance system and force everyone into the wireless market.  They're starting small, as you will read below, but the plans are in the works for the rest of the country. To my mind, Voice Link is an unreliable alternative.

Southern friends should take particular note of this.

MANTOLOKING, N.J. — Hurricane Sandy devastated this barrier island community of multimillion-dollar homes, but in Peter Flihan’s view, Verizon Communications has delivered a second blow: the telecommunications giant did not rebuild the landlines destroyed in the storm, and traditional telephone service here has now gone the way of the telegraph. 

“Verizon decides then and there to step on us,” said Mr. Flihan, 75, a retired toy designer and marketer. Verizon said it was too expensive to replace Mantoloking’s traditional copper-line phone network — the kind that has connected America for more than a century — and instead installed Voice Link, a wireless service it insisted was better. 

Verizon’s move on this sliver of land is a look into the not-too-distant future, a foreshadowing of nearly all telephone service across the United States. The traditional landline is not expected to last the decade in a country where nearly 40 percent of households use only wireless phones. Even now, less than 10 percent of households have only a landline phone, according to government data that counts cable-based phone service in that category. 

The changing landscape has Verizon, AT&T and other phone companies itching to rid themselves of the cost of maintaining their vast copper-wire networks and instead offer wireless and fiber-optic lines like FiOS and U-verse, even though the new services often fail during a blackout. 

“The vision I have is we are going into the copper plant areas and every place we have FiOS, we are going to kill the copper,” Lowell C. McAdam, Verizon’s chairman and chief executive, said last year. Robert W. Quinn Jr., AT&T’s senior vice president for federal regulatory issues, said the death of the old network was inevitable. “We’re scavenging for replacement parts to be able to fix the stuff when it breaks,” he said at an industry conference in Maryland last week. “That’s why it’s going to happen.” 

The Federal Communications Commission has long agreed. In its National Broadband Plan, published in 2010, the F.C.C. said that requiring certain carriers to maintain plain old telephone service “is not sustainable” and could siphon investments away from new networks. 

“The challenge for the country,” the F.C.C. said, is to ensure “a smooth transition for Americans who use traditional phone service and for the businesses that provide it.” 

But as far as Mr. Flihan and others in New Jersey are concerned, that transition from a reliable service — one that has given them a sense of security all their lives — is not smooth at all. An array of state-sanctioned consumer advocacy groups, as well as AARP, have petitioned regulators to disallow the replacement of Mantoloking’s copper lines with Voice Link. 

Not only will Voice Link not work if the power fails — a backup battery provides two hours of talking time, hardly reassuring to people battered by Sandy — but Verizon warns Voice Link users that calls to 911 under normal conditions might not go through because of network congestion. Medical devices that require periodic tests over phone lines, like many pacemakers, cannot transmit over Voice Link. Fax machines do not work over most wireless phone networks, including Voice Link. Neither do many home security systems, which depend on a copper phone line to connect to a response center. 

“They told us this was the greatest thing in the world,” Mr. Flihan said. But he estimates that roughly 25 percent of the calls he makes through the Verizon Voice Link service do not go through the first time he dials, or sometimes the second or third. Occasionally, the call is interrupted by clicking sounds, and sometimes a third party’s voice can be heard on the line, Mr. Flihan said.

The Gray Lady has the story HERE.

And so it goes.

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Lost Brain: How Embarrassing!

As I was coming out of sleep mode this morning  I heard this very strange sound. It didn't seem to be coming from anywhere in particular, but its insistent, urgent sound got me out of bed and in search of the source very quickly.  I ran around the place putting my ear to every goddamn device that squeals,  blinks, chirps, belches, or hums.  Nothing.

Checked all computer related devices, since they were the most logical electronics to blame.  Nothing.

Not the smoke alarm. Not any sort of reset on anything connected to the TV.  Then, as I moved near the shelving units in the living room, the sound volume increased and as I moved from one unit to the other I was able to pinpoint the culprit. I stood stock still in shock.

Ahem!  If you visit here with any regularity, you may remember that back in March (that would be FOUR months ago!)  I took advantage of a sweet deal on an iPad that cost me less than $100 bucks. Well, I must have stuck it in one of the bins and forgot about it, and evidently the battery finally ran down and it was a call for help from the poor thing.

In my defense less than 2 weeks after the purchase I began the seasonal 6 - 7 day work-week so the poor thing languished and all the learning that was to occur went by the wayside and was completely forgotten.  Now that I've revived the little treasure I think it will be the ideal digital communication companion to take on my trip in September.  I can send emails, search out new places to explore in NOLA and learn more about the adventures already being planned by friends there. I know others folks have similar iPads and I'd love to communicate with them via the devices.  I know nothing about how "face-time" works, for example. I assume that's why Skype is one of the apps pre-installed, but what do I know.

The poor neglected thing is charging and once that's complete I will search the app store for more information.  It may be the better option than the laptop after all, being lighter, more compact, and more easily stored in a carry-on bag. I can upload photos when I get back after the trip.  I think I will be otherwise occupied to spare the time to send images to FB or the blog. Unless I figure out how to post a photo from the cell phone, that is.

I know how my afternoon will be spent...another adventure is at hand.

And so it goes.
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Digital Divide in Emergency Management

Being from a notoriously well known hurricane area, I have always kept a land phone line. Have one to this day. When cell sites go down with the power, the old land line phone still offers a dial tone. I just stumbled onto this article about the truth regarding cell phones, smartphones, and land lines.  Most importantly, what needs to be done to develop and protect folks possibly in harm's way.  It's a 2-way street.

Of all the strange and sensational images produced by Superstorm Sandy, the scene I can’t stop thinking about took place a few steps from my apartment in Lower Manhattan, two days after the storm surge. Dozens of us were wandering up and down 7^th Avenue, arms extended like zombies and eyes fixed on our hands. We were hunting—not for food or money or human assistance—but for a cellular signal. The power was out. Stores were closed. Food was beginning to spoil. But the more urgent problem was the communications breakdown. We wanted to know what was happening, to check up on friends and family, and to tell them how we were. We’d lost phone and Internet service at the moment when we most needed it, and thousands of us wouldn’t get it back for days.
Two decades ago, a network breakdown would not have caused much trouble. Back then, landlines were ubiquitous, and when the power went out, Americans got their news about emergencies from old-fashioned, battery-operated radios. It was hardly a perfect system. Information came from the top down, and ordinary citizens were passive recipients, with virtually no capacity to tell officials or journalists what was happening in their neighborhood or town. But at least it was reliable: Designated emergency broadcasters had on-air personalities with local knowledge; radio towers and telephone lines were remarkably resilient; and smart regulations ensured that vital communications channels operated smoothly, even during peak demand.
The Cellular ShiftWeather-related disasters are growing more common and more extreme, yet we’ve failed to update our emergency communications system for the challenge. According to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), more than one-third of all U.S. households have no landline, and in cities the proportion of residents who’ve abandoned landlines for mobile phones is even higher. But Congress and the Federal Communications Commission have failed to require the mobile phone industry to ensure that they have protocols for maintaining and restoring service during outages. In theory, cellular networks could be made more flexible, robust, and reliable. Good public policies could ensure that they work better daily, and during disasters, too.
One reason we need more resilient networks is that new technologies can dramatically improve emergency communications. For instance, mobile phone providers have the capacity to send detailed messages to customers in locations where dangerous weather is approaching—a sophisticated reverse 911. In the run-up to recent storms, including Sandy and Nemo, meteorologists provided remarkably accurate and timely forecasts of where and when the damaging weather would hit. And according to NBC News, the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) system (set up by the FCC and FEMA) did send a text blast before Nemo to subscribers with certain devices and operating systems. But if you don’t have one of those models (most of which are high-priced smartphones), you are out of the loop.
Likewise, the FCC established the CMAS (Commercial Mobile Alert System) but there are problems with it. Mobile providers can opt out and customers probably don't realize that they are ineligible to get those alerts. Even if your mobile carrier opts in, the default is to be out. The default should be to get the alerts. Why not create an emergency alert system in which all customers automatically receive a series of direct, personal, and geo-coded messages with information about local conditions and clear instructions on how to stay safe?
Today, many state and local governments, including New York, allow residents to opt in to programs that deliver this kind of information. The opt-in format may help protect customer privacy, but it comes at a great cost, because the least tech-savvy and lowest-skilled subscribers are far less likely to enroll in the program. That means the most vulnerable people (the old, the poor, and the sick), those who could benefit from advance warnings about, say, whether and how to evacuate, are also most likely to miss out on the protection that the new technology offers. No one had the choice to opt in or out of the Emergency Broadcast System. Why should it be different in the digital age?

As storms become more frequent and more dangerous, this is going to become a very important issue.

More HERE.

And so it goes.
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I Did a Stupid Thing...My Bad?

In a valiant attempt to speed up my PC startup, shutdown, and Net browsing,  I followed the Microsoft instructions
 (never do this) and promptly blew out many major Windows 7 settings. I cannot access the web, or even send documents to the printer. For years I have known never, ever follow a MS Wizard to do anything constructive.  I guess I was desperate. I imagine the image at right is what the innards of my poor desktop look like right about now.

 It appears that the "registry" is f**ked up, and I need an OS disk to re-install the missing drivers and whatever else I deleted to bring the baby back online,  for now, I am using the laptop with limited programs and Internet options.  At least I can still get online via my router.

In the process of hunting down and saving as many bookmarks as possible, but with my work schedule and longer hours are making it difficult.

Right now the laptop is connected to my 22" monitor, so that's a help.  However, having to use the laptop keyboard is frustrating. I am used to the ergonomic one that rests my hands in more natural positions.  Hey, I'll survive, I suppose I am paying for the sin of following a MS procedure.

We served nearly 200 diners at lunch today. I am very tired and I smell olives.

And so it goes.
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St. Pat's Weekend: Full of Surprises.

Never believe a weather forecaster.  The predicted rains, high winds and coastal flooding must have happened in an alternate universe. Here, the morning sky was partly cloudy, then the sunshine warmed this beach town to a balmy 60' F.

Walked in to the restaurant this morning to be greeted by more shamrocks, pots-o-gold, and green everything else, than you would find in a Mexican Restaurant in Ireland. The LocosGuys must have stayed later to decorate the place. Unbelievable! None of these overly festive trappings were even hinted at yesterday.

Of course the bar-hoppers were out early, dressed for the occasion and out in huge numbers; many of our regular customers wore the green, as well. I cannot describe the images that my poor eyes were subjected to. And you know, "what has been seen, cannot be unseen."

As word about the great weather at the beach spread, (thanks to iPhones, iPads, etc.) the town filled up quickly. The streets were filled with grownups in festive costumes sporting tons of beads trying out their best Irish Brogue.  Everyone was having a good time.

The restaurant had a great lunchtime crowd, and there are no more reservations for this evening. Packed house all evening.

Walking by another restaurant on the way home I could hear a piano and many voices singing what I assume was an Irish folk song.  Even though I couldn't understand the lyrics, muffled by the closed windows, I figured that a good time was going on inside.

I am about to enjoy my St. Pat's martini (with GREEN olives, dontcha know!) followed by a light supper of something NOT green.


Tomorrow promises to be another day of celebration as we have a few big parties booked for lunch.  A party of 12, another of 16, and another of 14.  Should be another interesting day.

And so it goes.
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No Waking the Dead

Reusable grocery bags and a fist full of lists (say that fast 3 times!) in hand, I stumbled down the stairs to the car this morning. A turn of the key resulted in a clicking sound but the engine didn't turn over. I realized the worst had happened.  The original battery had finally bought the farm. It was dead. Well, after all, it was 7 years old - in a 2005 model that I purchased in 2007.  During the "dark period."

Since moving into town and walking everywhere, the car is driven once weekly and not far enough to actually keep the battery charge high. Yes, I take it for a longer drive once in a while - at highway speed - but the end was near and inevitable.

First called a friend for a jump, then the mechanic to purchase and install a new battery.  Friend arrived; jump was successful and I now own a pair of jumper cables.  Mechanic found a replacement battery, but their more urgent appointments would set me back a few hours.  What else could I do?  Drove to the repair shop and read for the time it took to replace the battery and send me on my way.

(Did you know that Robert Heinlein was a cat lover? He wrote a few books about them.)  Anyway...

$159.00 and 2 hours later, I was on the road making a half-hearted attempt to scratch items off my lists. The 2 appointments were already history or rescheduled; the Italian deli was not open and the supermarket parking lot was packed.  Too late to get anything done. I will be there tomorrow at 7 am before work and before the visitors awake.  Even the trip back into town was a nightmare.  A half-hour to drive the 2.5 miles from the supermarket to my home.

Summer at the Beach!!!

Back home, I grabbed my large reusable tote bag and headed to the Farmers Market.  Since the sky was overcast and there was a threat of rain, the crowd was smaller than usual, so I picked up fresh New Jersey tomatoes and small, sweet local cucumbers, a sour dough loaf and sausages (1 for me and 2 for a co-worker who loves the stuff) some combinations that were new to me. This was the only real accomplishment of the day, but at least it was something.

I would take myself out to dinner somewhere, but having spent that $159.00 I can't justify the added expense. So, leftovers it is...and it's 5 o'clock somewhere and I smell olives!

And so it goes.
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One Hand Washes The Other

Over the years I have shopped and purchased items from many categories at Amazon-dot-com, and over the years I have received good service, nice perks, special offers, coupons, and free shipping from that company.

Same is true of Staples and JCPenney to some extent.  Working long hours - 6 or 7 days -that I do, it's difficult to find the time to shop in stores.  In the summer season it's impossible with the tourists out and about, clogging the roadways and parking lots of all venues. (I do my grocery shopping in the early morning on a day off, or before going to work - usually at about 7 or 7:30 am.)

So, I find it more convenient to shop online.  No hassles, free-shipping and occasionally a coupon or two.
Recent purchases at L.L. Bean and Jockey resulted in 40% savings, and today I received an additional 15% savings when I ordered work slacks from JCP.

With my new Kindle Fire came a free 1 month membership to Amazon Prime which, I decided to join after considering the advantages and perks. Free books & streaming of movies. Free 2-day shipping on purchases (really a savings of time as well as money) and all for $79. annual fee.

I bring this up because, as most know, JCP chose Ellen as their spokesperson and announced their support of LGBT issues and families. 

Not so well known is what Jeff Bezos, along with his wife did just last week.  This is from Box Turtle Bulletin:

Amazon’s founder, Jeff Bezos, and his wife, MacKenzie, have joined the list of prominent Washington businesses and CEO’s that have come out in support of marriage equality in that state. And all because former employee Jennifer Cast – one of the company’s first – asked.

On Sunday Cast emailed Bezos asking for a contribution to the campaign in support of Referendum 74. “We need help from straight people. To be very frank, we need help from wealthy straight people who care about us and who want to help us win.” Bezos’ reply:

    Jen, this is right for so many reasons. We’re in for $2.5 million. Jeff & MacKenzie.

I’m sorry. I should have given you a tissue warning.

Oddly enough, NOM’s blog site seems not to have gotten the news. They’re still talking about chicken.

Don't get me wrong here.  I still shop for the best deals I can find, it's just that most of them happen to be at online sites rather than brick & mortar stores.  I feel good as an Amazon frequent shopper knowing that my money is going to support causes I believe in.

The deciding factor in choosing the Smartphone and service at Virgin Mobile over CREDO was Sir Richard's video PSA in support of marriage equality.  That Virgin offered the best deal (with no contracts) was icing on the cake. I always love a win-win, don't you?

And so it goes.
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Smart Phones

I know the feeling and frustration. My neck hurts.

I'm doing better. Even know how to end a voice call now.

And so it goes.
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Virgin Mobile? Smart Phones? Yes, Of Course

Week 3 since activation of the LG Optimus Elite Smartphone begins today and (thanks to tips and tricks offered by others) I am becoming more familiar of the way the phone works, and though I miss calls, text messages and their sub-directories are becoming a part of my core knowledge of the device.  Calls are from unknown sources anyway, so I'm not worried.  How they got the number is anyone's guess.  Robo-calling, most likely.

Turns out, no one remembers all the little shortcuts, and quick steps to many functions, so I don't feel bad.  Anyway...Text and Web were the primary reasons for the purchase and change of carrier.

Using the querty touch-keypad is still a challenge thanks to my fat fingers.  Even turning the phone to horizontal position my fat fingers hit the wrong, or multiple keys.  Very annoying, indeed.  I will get better at this. Also, the phone must be charged nightly because of the constant connectivity to the Web, email and messaging.  The old phone required charging once weekly, but had none of the functionality of the new phone. Stand-by mode was just that. 

BTW, so far, I am pleased with the Virgin Mobile no-contract pricing, customer service, SPRINT signal strength, and Virgin's response to FAQs.  While the younger 21 - 35 demographic is their target audience, I find their individual plans are just right for me.Their user Q&A message boards are equally helpful.

So far, no hidden charges detected. Maybe I can actually trust the company after all. We'll see. My renewal date comes up next week and if all remains the same, I may allow Virgin to deduct the monthly fees  automatically by credit card. A BIG step for me.

Evolving into a smart phone user - slowly but surely.

And so it goes.
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