Sunday, April 11, 2010

Sticking My Toes Back Into The Water - Posting Again (Well, Maybe)

Through no choice of my own, my last post here was February. 28, 2010. For reasons unknown my blog had been redirected. For about a month, I had no access and could not post. Now with great trepidation, I'd like to dip my toes (or more accurately my fingers) back into the stream.

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Search For Missing Americans in Wake of Chilean Earthquake

State Department - Consular Services

People Finder - Chile Earthquake

 Source for help in finding (or sharing) information about family and friends in Chile after yesterday's earthquake ...... terremoto en Chile ....... from Google ..........

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Spanish Word of the Day - (((TERREMOTO)))

El Terremoto (En Chile)

From Associated Press - The State Department advises Americans seeking information on family and friends in Chile to contact the Bureau of Consular Affairs at 1-888-407-4747

Someone near and dear to my heart is somewhere in Chile. He has not checked in with family here in the states. I have only basic cable television so find myself watching Spanish language television with hopes of catching a meaningful glimpse of the chaos currently unfolding in Chile.

Rescues continue from structures knocked down by this morning's massive earthquakes ... Imagenes de Rescates

Hearing words of Dr. Arturo Chavez, Experto en Rescate, Mexico ...... on Telemundo ..... 

My Spanish is limited but finding that I understand more than I might have expected to understand, maybe because I care about the discussion underway.

Headlines -

Aeropuerto de Santiago ..... Closed for at least 24 hours ........

El Terremoto Duro 90 Segundos y Fue de 8.8

Suenan Las Sirenas En Hawai Por Primera Vez En 16 Anos


Edificio de 5 Anos Colapso en la Comuna De Maipu

Argentina Seria Puente de Ayuda en la Catastrofe  ...........

Alerta de Tsunami en .... Pacific Basin

Tremors felt in Argentina and Brazil, tambien 

Note of Interest - Chile's first female president .......  Michelle Bachelet ..

Updates in English - CNN

Note: Skype (free video phone is here!) important means of first-hand accounts from Chile and from Hawaii (tsunami concerns)

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

News Applications for i-Phone/i-Pod Touch

The really cool thing about the i-Phone/i-Pod Touch is the ability to customize with applications pertinent to my lifestyle. The world at a touch, in the palm of my hand.

Keeping abreast of the current news is important. With this is mind, I have added CNN and AP Mobile as well as several local television news apps to my i-Pod Touch.

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Favorite Movie Pick of 2009

Being an avid movie fan, I attended more films than my usual in 2009. My choice, my personal movie of the year for 2009 can be none other than, "An Education."

See:  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1174732/

Sometimes the most relevant education comes more from our experience rather than from our books.

A cautionary tale, "An Education," should be required viewing (annually) for junior high/senior high school girls (and their parents). Many favorable futures have been compromised, short-circuited by the illusion of love and security [often offered but not delivered].

 It is irresponsible (and foolish) to rely on another when we are fully capable of self-reliance. Our only true security lies within each of us.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Hit a Home Run With the Roku Digital Video Player and Netflix

Having a somewhat warped sense of humor, my favorite Christmas movie is "Mixed Nuts" (see Trailer). I have "Mixed Nuts" on VHS and DVD but was disappointed to find I had misplaced both..

What to do? What to do?

Straight to Netflix and, sure enough, there it was "Mixed Nuts" ready to be viewed instantly on my computer or instantly on my television using my Roku Digital Video Player.

Every year I worry whether the Christmas gifts I give will actually be something the recipients will be happy to receive.

This year I hit a home run. I gave fewer individual gifts and instead gave each family on my list a gift that can be shared.

What did I give?

From the Netflix website, I purchased a Roku Digital Video Player for myself (a second player) and players for my loved ones living elsewhere.

See User Reviews Here.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Flexibility, Key to Mobile Broadband Happiness

For travel purposes, I use a mobile broadband device from Verizon Wireless. My choice over the last year has been the USB760 Modem. It was necessary to use this broadband device exclusively for an extended period of time due to circumstances beyond my control. The USB760 Modem performed well.

Now I'd like more flexibility. A call to Judy at  Verizon Wireless Communications (1.800.222.8588) provided an upgrade to a MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot.

Cost for the MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot today $99.99 (before the application of a $50 mail-in rebate) and a $20 upgrade fee. Monthly cost remains the same.

The USB760 Modem will continue to work until activation of my new MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot. FedEx will be bringing it to my door Thursday.

It's easier and faster to check all 10+ email boxes using an iPod touch instead of logging in and out of each on the laptop. The MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot will allow me to use my iPod touch anywhere and at any time, great to have access to all my iPod touch applications while stuck in some out of the way place.

The MiFi 2200 will give me the flexibility to use my laptop and/or any of my other wi-fi enabled devices almost anywhere. Flexibility, the key to mobile broadband happiness.

One big drawback, five devices (the maximum allowed) using the MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot at the same time will use up the 5 GB allowance five times as fast. So it's best to check usage often.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Credit Card Scams Are Rampant - Watch Out!!

Today I received a text message that read, "onlinebanking@alert.bankof america.com / Sorry--we've temporarily blocked your card for security purposes. Contact us at 1.877.865.2709. Thank You. /"

DO NOT respond if you should receive a similar message.

I called the number out of curiousity. A machine answered and asked for my credit card number.

I HUNG UP!

And called Bank of America customer service @ 1-800-732-9194 and was transferred to their fraud department.


DO NOT GIVE OUT YOUR CREDIT CARD INFORMATION TO ANYONE CALLING  ON THE PHONE OR SENDING AN EMAIL OR TEXT!!

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Treats from Pink Martini

First some fun -

Check out this on the Pink Martini website. Run your cursor over the bookcase to chase the birds from the tree, animate the beaver, play the drums, ring the classic phone, and then pick up the latest album lying on the floor.

And now on to the sublime -



On You Tube - La Soledad

On Pink Martini website - Audio 

On Pink Martini website - Shows and Tickets 
(A Wonderful Made-In-America Gift for Someone Special)