Friday, May 28, 2010

We just ordered a Hava Titanium HD TV Device. This is something that we've been looking into for well over a year, and we decided to make the purchase this week.

Our main reason for purchasing this unit is to watch TV removely on our Nokia N810 internet tablets elsewhere in the house, or elsewhere with our internet connections. And Hava has software especially for our N810's, which impresses the heck out of me.

I've read all of the reviews on amazon.com, and they seem to be conflicting. But given the excellent communication I've already had with Monsoon Multimedia (formerly Hava), I am confident that I will be able to reach them about any issues I may have in setup or use.

I will be sure to post a full review here once we get settled in with our new toy. In reading the reviews I'm thinking we may need to purchase something else (such as a USB wireless dongle) to get the functionality we're wanting, but we will see. We've waited over a year and a little longer won't make much difference :). Meanwhile, another learning experience, another tech toy, and something else to blog about!

Some Good Fun Miscellany!

I used to love games like Blake Stone and Wolfenstein, but then the games started getting crazy with way to many control and functions to remember. When I read in one of my newsletters this morning that there is a site with games for people like me, I signed up! The site is called Kongregate (and yes, that's a referral link, so I can get points or something if you use it when you sign up). I don't often have time to play a lot of games but sometimes I just need to space out and unwind, and this looks like a good place to do it.

Next is the upcoming 3-day weekend. I'm really looking forward to spending good family time each day, although we don't have plans for Monday yet...but both Pete and I are off work all 3 days. Tomorrow we'll see his son and family, including his 2 grandchildren. We don't see them often enough so it will be a real treat! And we'll do some thrift store shopping as well, something we always enjoy! Even when we don't buy, we love looking. Sunday is always a great day, with church and then time with my mom. Maybe we'll go to the lake for a picnic or something, I think that would be fun.

Also coming up this week will be having dinner with some relatives that we don't often see, my mom's sister, brother-in-law, neice, and her husband (my aunt/uncle/cousin-husband). We haven't seen them in several years, and I know my mom is REALLY looking forward to it (when she's reminded about it), as am I!

I'll also be spending a couple of days downstate with my sister and her family this week, which is always fun (I can do my job anywhere I have internet access!), and I'm hoping for lots of Casey and Leelan time too!

Lastly, I'm hoping to twist my husband's arm to make us some great brats on the grill today...so I'd better go get started with that...

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Facebook Privacy Revisited

This is just one of the many articles about FB's new privacy policies, as shared yesterday.

This is nice...but don't be deceived: there is no such thing as PRIVACY in any PUBLIC venue, be it Kroger's or the internet. Don't put anything online (including email, usenet, IRC, web...) that you wouldn't talk about in a crowded room.

To address FB privacy specifically: if you don't want people to know you "Like" wet t-shirt contests, then don't click "Like". If you don't want your boss reading a comment about how s/he is mismanaging their company (which is, of course, why they're the boss and you're not, right?) then don't post it as your status. If you don't want the IRS finding out that you cheat on your taxes, then don't brag about it in a "private" message to a friend.

Remember - on FB and everywhere else in your life: the only privacy you have control over is what YOU choose to divulge. Once you've said it or written it, it's out there, and out of your control. And no longer private.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

My Home State - Michigan!

While we have our problems (mostly brought about by the current political administration, which will change!) Michigan is part of me, and always will be, no matter where I am. I love this state, for all of the reasons contained in this video:

Speak To Me, My Michigan

Monday, May 24, 2010

Leaving God Out of the Equation

"The Power of Prayer" - we hear it a lot. Or "prayers going up" or "prayers coming at you"...just wondering, where is God? Please don't send your prayers "up" like a helium balloon if you are praying for me. And most definitely I don't want them coming at me! Prayer in and of itself is totally powerless. Only God has the power to answer prayers. If He's not the biggest part of the equation, prayer is only words. It's all about God: His power, His mercy, His grace. Prayer has no power without being directed to God, and without His action on it.

I don't believe in the "power of prayer." I believe in the power of God.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Better Living Through Chemicals

I made it through the weekend, thanks to the pain pills that my doc gave me for my legs...they work - somewhat - on my belly/back pain as well, although during the weekend the pain has spread up under my ribs into my shoulder blades, and even my shoulders started hurting, up from underneath sort of...so today I hit it hard with the drugs, and actually was able to both walk around the house AND eat a decent meal, plus sit up straight long enough to play my keyboard for a few minutes! Even got to play with 1YO grandson for a while - YEAH!

And...no more whining :). I will always try to write, especially on FB or in emails, as if I felt fine, nobody likes complainers, we all have problems. Will just look forward, and get to the tests scheduled for the 2nd, and go from there!