Since I've gotten my HTC Evo phone, I've been experimenting with it's features. I know there's a ton of stuff it can do that I haven't tapped but I'm learning... slowly!
One thing that I love is the GPS. First, I've named the GPS component Moneypenny. I use it every time I drive kids on transportation home. I used it when I took Daddy-O to the airport yesterday. Sometimes I just play with it around town to see what it will say. I love that I can turn in a different direction and she says, in a very rude voice, "Reconfiguring." Or my personal favorite is, "Make a legal U-turn." Or when she says, "Reconfiguring.... make a legal U-turn." The state I live in has no such thing as a "legal u-turn." I was irritated at Moneypenny the other day when I ran into road construction and rather than "reconfiguring" all she could say was "make a legal u-turn" which is very unhelpful when I was lost in part of my state I had never been to before! But I do adore my GPS.
I must also admit I love the calendar feature and the ability to play music like it's an iPod. I use Google. Yes, I actually Google stuff with my phone when I'm out and about and need information. I have my Goodreads account flagged on my phone and can look at my "books to read" list while in a bookstore. I use the calculator and the tip calculator. I am a nerd.
Then there are the games. I used to make fun of people who played games on their phones. I apologize. Because I am now a game junkie. Is there is a support group for us? I love Boggle. I'm addicted to Boggle. I play Boggle all the time and have managed to get about 6000 points in one shot, which is my highest score. I also like to play Classic Simon and Classic Tetris. Glow Hockey is super awesome, too. I also like the Marshmallow- Spaghetti game. Bubbletap is lots of fun. I'm also doing some mindless fun with Animal Alchemy or with Ninja Kaka Valentine. I have Pew pew, which is a shooting game but I don't know how to work it yet. I am proud to say that I don't play Angry Bird. I just can't get it together with birds and pig; for some reason that doesn't make any sense to me. Uh.
Some of my other favorite apps are magic marker where ITSam and I play our own twisted version of Pictionary. I love my flashlight app. I have an air horn app, a mood scanner app which tells me my mood incorrectly on a regular basis, a Whoopee cushion app which makes mischief in the mall, and the Magic 8 Ball app- someone has to tell my future so why not an app for that? And because I am a post-it junkie in the real world, I have a post-it app, of course.
There's tons of ring tone apps, of course and I have a few. I love my ring tones, special ones for special people. I have a couple apps for ringtones, but I think my fav ringtone app is the one of all Beatles tunes. That makes me happy.
Did I mention I also have a Kindle and Nook app? That's pretty cool. I haven't bought a book yet but I'm going to after I get new glasses- it's a small screen to try and read a whole book one, but it's not really a small screen for a phone. But I have played with some of the free books and these are pretty cool features. (And if I'm completely honest, I'll admit it makes me want a Nook or Kinle, one with the wireless anywhere features....Anyway!)
Oh yeah........... I can text and make phone calls, too.
Maggie
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Three cheers to great women
There are many women who have had a great influence in my life, all for different reasons. And as I was thinking of them, I realized that 4 of these women are all April birthdays! I have other female (and male for that matter) influences but it's April so it seems apropos.
My bestie Curley is one such women. She is so positive about everything. She has a great outlook and when I can't find my "silver lining" attitude, I know she will do that for me. She's also realistic, which I appreciate. She knows when I need to whine and cry and be pathetic, and she knows when I need a kick in the seat of my pants. Not to mention the fact that she's hilariously funny. And kind. And sweet. And giving. And talented! She makes me want to be a better person.
There's my blogger buddy Bragger. She makes the list because though I haven't met her in person YET she is still an influence and a person I consider a friend. Her writing is creative and funny and typo free (unlike mine!). I love her outlook on life. I appreciate her no nonsense attitude. I admire her accomplishments in life because the path she's traveled hasn't always been an easy one. I find a kinship with her through our career paths in education and our love of writing. I admire and respect her dedication to exercise. In short, I would love to be her when I grow up.
My Aunt P is also an amazing women. She's brilliant. She is so smart. I admire that she continues to challenge herself- she's learning Spanish and she's in her 60's. While most high school students I know can't master basic words and she can just chat away! She's a fabulous cook. I consider her to be brave. She takes care of others and has a great capacity for understanding and empathy. Every time I see her, I can talk with her and she's not judgmental. She skis and stays fit and trim. She's a wonderful role model. Though I don't see her often (enough!), I know she's there when I need her. She takes good care of my dad (and my uncle, too!).
Finally, is my mom. My mom died several years ago but she's still here. I miss her but I know she's made her mark on me with words and phrases I use. Or the way I cook (green beans, sour cream coffee cake, or breakfast casserole anyone?). Or with something I've taught Mac. I became closer to my mother when I was adult, and we became friends. My mom was patient; I hope this trait will rub off on me at some point. She loved to read; thank you for the love of books! It's the silly stuff that I remember. Though she would threaten to "beats knots" on our heads because of a messy room or leaving too much clutter, she never did, and it just became funny. She loved fireworks and I still think of her each time I see one. I think I get my ability to be "tickled" over small things from her. The things about my mom could go on and on so I'm going to just say my mom was a great lady.
So, kudos to ALL the wonderful people in my life, but especially to these admirable April ladies! Thank you for the influence you've had on my life!
Mags
My bestie Curley is one such women. She is so positive about everything. She has a great outlook and when I can't find my "silver lining" attitude, I know she will do that for me. She's also realistic, which I appreciate. She knows when I need to whine and cry and be pathetic, and she knows when I need a kick in the seat of my pants. Not to mention the fact that she's hilariously funny. And kind. And sweet. And giving. And talented! She makes me want to be a better person.
There's my blogger buddy Bragger. She makes the list because though I haven't met her in person YET she is still an influence and a person I consider a friend. Her writing is creative and funny and typo free (unlike mine!). I love her outlook on life. I appreciate her no nonsense attitude. I admire her accomplishments in life because the path she's traveled hasn't always been an easy one. I find a kinship with her through our career paths in education and our love of writing. I admire and respect her dedication to exercise. In short, I would love to be her when I grow up.
My Aunt P is also an amazing women. She's brilliant. She is so smart. I admire that she continues to challenge herself- she's learning Spanish and she's in her 60's. While most high school students I know can't master basic words and she can just chat away! She's a fabulous cook. I consider her to be brave. She takes care of others and has a great capacity for understanding and empathy. Every time I see her, I can talk with her and she's not judgmental. She skis and stays fit and trim. She's a wonderful role model. Though I don't see her often (enough!), I know she's there when I need her. She takes good care of my dad (and my uncle, too!).
Finally, is my mom. My mom died several years ago but she's still here. I miss her but I know she's made her mark on me with words and phrases I use. Or the way I cook (green beans, sour cream coffee cake, or breakfast casserole anyone?). Or with something I've taught Mac. I became closer to my mother when I was adult, and we became friends. My mom was patient; I hope this trait will rub off on me at some point. She loved to read; thank you for the love of books! It's the silly stuff that I remember. Though she would threaten to "beats knots" on our heads because of a messy room or leaving too much clutter, she never did, and it just became funny. She loved fireworks and I still think of her each time I see one. I think I get my ability to be "tickled" over small things from her. The things about my mom could go on and on so I'm going to just say my mom was a great lady.
So, kudos to ALL the wonderful people in my life, but especially to these admirable April ladies! Thank you for the influence you've had on my life!
Mags
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Writer's block sucks
I've been a blogging slacker these last few weeks. I've either not blogged until really late in the day or I've skipped days entirely. I don't like that. But I feel like my brain isn't producing topics, for some reason. I know that doesn't make lots of sense, but I just can't seem to formulate ideas worthy of blogging.
I swear Carrie Bradshaw is amazing for coming with a column all the time!
I'm not really bored of blogging; I still really enjoy it. It doesn't feel like a chore or something I MUST do rather than something I want to do.
It's not that I'm really busy. I could blog daily as far as my time goes. I do spend time with ITSam and friends and stuff like that but not to the extent where I don't have time to blog. Oh the occasional day has come up when I haven't had time because I leave early in the day and don't return until late in the evening. Those have been few and far between and typically I know it's going to happen in advance so I can plan a post.
Part of my problem could be I don't feel creative lately. I don't know why. It sure isn't that I'm stimulate intellectually by my job or anything. Maybe that's it? Since my brain is more stagnate I have less desire to write because I'm just becoming dumber? I used to be able to pull a post out of nothing and that just doesn't seem to happen.
Could it also be that I've become boring? I don't have funny dating stories to tell. Sam and I just hang around and don't do anything worth writing about. Nothing crazy or strange happens with I go out the girls. I don't spend much time drinking or in clubs. I don't have a lot of face time with the kids at school so I don't have lots of school stories. I think I've become boring, or less willing to torture my audience with the mundane.
It could also be that I feel like I do nothing but worry, bitch, piss, moan, and complain. I don't want to spill that into here any more than I already do, which is pretty damn often.
Maybe Sam and I should break up so I can blind date and have blog fodder.
Maybe I should move again so I have better blog fodder adventures.
Maybe I should get a new job with more money so I can afford to go do cool stuff for blog fodder.
I dunno...... maybe I've written all there is to write?
Maggie
I swear Carrie Bradshaw is amazing for coming with a column all the time!
I'm not really bored of blogging; I still really enjoy it. It doesn't feel like a chore or something I MUST do rather than something I want to do.
It's not that I'm really busy. I could blog daily as far as my time goes. I do spend time with ITSam and friends and stuff like that but not to the extent where I don't have time to blog. Oh the occasional day has come up when I haven't had time because I leave early in the day and don't return until late in the evening. Those have been few and far between and typically I know it's going to happen in advance so I can plan a post.
Part of my problem could be I don't feel creative lately. I don't know why. It sure isn't that I'm stimulate intellectually by my job or anything. Maybe that's it? Since my brain is more stagnate I have less desire to write because I'm just becoming dumber? I used to be able to pull a post out of nothing and that just doesn't seem to happen.
Could it also be that I've become boring? I don't have funny dating stories to tell. Sam and I just hang around and don't do anything worth writing about. Nothing crazy or strange happens with I go out the girls. I don't spend much time drinking or in clubs. I don't have a lot of face time with the kids at school so I don't have lots of school stories. I think I've become boring, or less willing to torture my audience with the mundane.
It could also be that I feel like I do nothing but worry, bitch, piss, moan, and complain. I don't want to spill that into here any more than I already do, which is pretty damn often.
Maybe Sam and I should break up so I can blind date and have blog fodder.
Maybe I should move again so I have better blog fodder adventures.
Maybe I should get a new job with more money so I can afford to go do cool stuff for blog fodder.
I dunno...... maybe I've written all there is to write?
Maggie
Monday, April 25, 2011
Words of wisdom for Mac
Each morning, Mac and I carpool. Usually he drops me off at school. Each morning I get out of the car and bid him a good day.
And apparently I give him some sort of daily advice.
One day 2 weeks ago, I just said, "Bye. Have a good day. love you." And he says, "what, no advice?" He then proceeds to tell he that I always dispense some sort of advice to him each day. And sometimes I repeat myself.
I had no idea I did that each morning but apparently I do, and I've done this for years.
Repeated phrases that are popular are "be nice", "work hard", "learn something", "have fun", "be good", and occasionally, "be thankful it's Friday."
So now for the last couple weeks that I've been very aware of this, I've made sure I say something. Since he's a senior these are going to be the last days I can give him life altering advice before he walks through the hallowed halls of higher education. I mean, now there's pressure. I want to tell him things that he'll take with him into the world, to make him a better adult.
Lately, I've said things like:
He flipped me the bird.
Ah yes, I'm teaching him well.
Mac's mom,
Maggie
And apparently I give him some sort of daily advice.
One day 2 weeks ago, I just said, "Bye. Have a good day. love you." And he says, "what, no advice?" He then proceeds to tell he that I always dispense some sort of advice to him each day. And sometimes I repeat myself.
I had no idea I did that each morning but apparently I do, and I've done this for years.
Repeated phrases that are popular are "be nice", "work hard", "learn something", "have fun", "be good", and occasionally, "be thankful it's Friday."
So now for the last couple weeks that I've been very aware of this, I've made sure I say something. Since he's a senior these are going to be the last days I can give him life altering advice before he walks through the hallowed halls of higher education. I mean, now there's pressure. I want to tell him things that he'll take with him into the world, to make him a better adult.
Lately, I've said things like:
- "don't hit people."
- "don't have unprotected sex. Always use condoms."
- "sometimes in life we should drink milk and have cookies for no special reason"
- "share."
- "work hard and don't cheat"
- "play nice"
- "sing loudly and shake your booty"
- "hold hands"
- "show a little respect"
- "nice shoes will make you feel better"
- "don't call girls chicks or broads. Or dames"
He flipped me the bird.
Ah yes, I'm teaching him well.
Mac's mom,
Maggie
Sunday, April 24, 2011
People Update
Mac- he's graduating in 33 days. He's looking for a summer job albeit not to hard. He's ready for college, he says. I'm ready for him to go, too.
Daddy-O: he's leaving for the Lone Star State in about 36 hours and will be gone a month. I'm excited FOR him but every time he goes for that long, I really miss him. I wish him Godspeed and good times!
ITSam- though we're having our little growing pains as a couple, for the most part, things are well. He's having some interesting changes with his job soon so it looks like a raise might be on the horizon. All good things there.
Princess- she's doing super well in school, excellent grades and wonderful extra-curricular. She's struggling in her house and doesn't always do her chores so she gets demerits for it. She often breaks stupid rules and has to take the consequences. She's making choices so it's all on her. I don't see much of her because she's not earning the right to leave her house right now so I say a quick hello in the hallway at school and off we go. Part of that, I think, is that she knows she going home soon and it's her way of dealing with loss.
XRay Girl- she's doing great and will be done with college in August. She'll have an AA degree to be a Surgical Tech. Yup, that has nothing to do with X-Rays. She changed programs mid stream but I figured it was easier than changing her nickname here. Because she's at the end of her program, she's doing her clinicals and working part time so while we don't have our girls' night outs each week, we still chat all the time.
Photographer- she and I already have 2 weddings books to shoot this summer, one of them is an Ethiopian wedding. That should be interesting, and fun!
Curly- she had a birthday yesterday! Happy birthday, lady!
Daddy-O: he's leaving for the Lone Star State in about 36 hours and will be gone a month. I'm excited FOR him but every time he goes for that long, I really miss him. I wish him Godspeed and good times!
ITSam- though we're having our little growing pains as a couple, for the most part, things are well. He's having some interesting changes with his job soon so it looks like a raise might be on the horizon. All good things there.
Princess- she's doing super well in school, excellent grades and wonderful extra-curricular. She's struggling in her house and doesn't always do her chores so she gets demerits for it. She often breaks stupid rules and has to take the consequences. She's making choices so it's all on her. I don't see much of her because she's not earning the right to leave her house right now so I say a quick hello in the hallway at school and off we go. Part of that, I think, is that she knows she going home soon and it's her way of dealing with loss.
XRay Girl- she's doing great and will be done with college in August. She'll have an AA degree to be a Surgical Tech. Yup, that has nothing to do with X-Rays. She changed programs mid stream but I figured it was easier than changing her nickname here. Because she's at the end of her program, she's doing her clinicals and working part time so while we don't have our girls' night outs each week, we still chat all the time.
Photographer- she and I already have 2 weddings books to shoot this summer, one of them is an Ethiopian wedding. That should be interesting, and fun!
Curly- she had a birthday yesterday! Happy birthday, lady!
Friday, April 22, 2011
A version of "Who's On First"?
I found a stack of shelves in the library and decided to gain more space, I would add an extra shelf into each book case; there was enough space to do that and one thing a library usually needs about as badly as more money is more room.
So last week I had a student assigned to me for half days for a week since his work study/ job training boss was on vacation. This kid started shifting the books for me to make room for the extra shelf.
With the rhythm we had going, he would just pull an empty shelf from the book case next to him. When he finally go to the point where he had to use a shelf from the stack, I hear the dreaded words, "Miz O'Sullivan, we have a problem."
Oh crap. Words no one likes to hear.
Apparently, the shelves in storage don't fit. They're were 3 inches too wide. I am not kidding. The kid had moved books on 5 shelves, about 1000 or more books, and now we had a huge 3 foot gap with no shelves.
So......... I took books off a display bookcase and used those since they fit. Now the display bookcase has no shelves in it.
I then called our maintenance department and ordered 5 new shelves and filled out a work order. The secretary in that department said it would take 5-6 weeks to built. Around that time my principal came in the library and wanted to know where the shelves were. I said it was easier to ask for forgiveness than permission and he laughed. I said I was taking care of it and he said no problem.
It all sounds like it was taken care of, right?
A few hours later my principal comes in and the conversation goes something like this:
him: I think it's time to ask for that forgiveness.
me: ok. But..... uh, how come?
him: you want to spend about $3000.
me: I do?
him: where are you going to put 5 shelves? why do you need 5 shelves?
me: [I gesture to the bookcase which happens to be next to a large empty wall] Over there.
him: well, why five?
me: because that's what's going to fill the space. Why would that cost so much?
him: because of all the matierlas and time involved.
me: I think if someone gave me wood and a saw, I could do that in a weekend.
him: well, I think it's unnecessary.
me: so, you want me to leave it empty?
Now the blank look comes on his face. I asked him, "okay, wait a minute. What are you talking about?" He really wasn't sure.
Apparently, to save you all from the rest of this debacle, the secretary in maintenance thought I wanted 5 BOOKCASES not just 5 shelves, the plain old planks. So she told that to Principal.
When he found out I just wanted 5 replacement shelves, he was fine with that. And glad I wasn't trying to spend $3k.
It's still going to take 5-6 weeks, though...
Gee, I'm glad we got that settled.
Maggie
So last week I had a student assigned to me for half days for a week since his work study/ job training boss was on vacation. This kid started shifting the books for me to make room for the extra shelf.
With the rhythm we had going, he would just pull an empty shelf from the book case next to him. When he finally go to the point where he had to use a shelf from the stack, I hear the dreaded words, "Miz O'Sullivan, we have a problem."
Oh crap. Words no one likes to hear.
Apparently, the shelves in storage don't fit. They're were 3 inches too wide. I am not kidding. The kid had moved books on 5 shelves, about 1000 or more books, and now we had a huge 3 foot gap with no shelves.
So......... I took books off a display bookcase and used those since they fit. Now the display bookcase has no shelves in it.
I then called our maintenance department and ordered 5 new shelves and filled out a work order. The secretary in that department said it would take 5-6 weeks to built. Around that time my principal came in the library and wanted to know where the shelves were. I said it was easier to ask for forgiveness than permission and he laughed. I said I was taking care of it and he said no problem.
It all sounds like it was taken care of, right?
A few hours later my principal comes in and the conversation goes something like this:
him: I think it's time to ask for that forgiveness.
me: ok. But..... uh, how come?
him: you want to spend about $3000.
me: I do?
him: where are you going to put 5 shelves? why do you need 5 shelves?
me: [I gesture to the bookcase which happens to be next to a large empty wall] Over there.
him: well, why five?
me: because that's what's going to fill the space. Why would that cost so much?
him: because of all the matierlas and time involved.
me: I think if someone gave me wood and a saw, I could do that in a weekend.
him: well, I think it's unnecessary.
me: so, you want me to leave it empty?
Now the blank look comes on his face. I asked him, "okay, wait a minute. What are you talking about?" He really wasn't sure.
Apparently, to save you all from the rest of this debacle, the secretary in maintenance thought I wanted 5 BOOKCASES not just 5 shelves, the plain old planks. So she told that to Principal.
When he found out I just wanted 5 replacement shelves, he was fine with that. And glad I wasn't trying to spend $3k.
It's still going to take 5-6 weeks, though...
Gee, I'm glad we got that settled.
Maggie
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Disney meme
Which Disney film is your favorite?
Beauty and the Beast
Which Disney "Princess” Disney Film is your favorite?
If I understand the question, my favorite Princess Disney film would be Sleeping Beauty since Aurora is my favorite Princess
Which Disney film makes you cry the most?
Believe it or not, Up.Which Disney film makes you the happiest?
Mary Poppins.
Which Disney film has the best music?
Aladdin
Which Disney film has the best love story?
There's something sweet, almost kind, about Beauty and the Beast
Who is your favorite Disney Princess?
Aurora from Sleeping Beauty
Who is your favorite Disney Prince?
The Prince in Sleeping Beauty
Who is your favorite Disney animal sidekick?
Phil (voiced by Danny DeVito) in Hercules. He was the Satyr.
First Disney movie you saw?
Mary Poppins at the drive in with my parents
Were you frightened by any Disney Films?
Probably Bambi
Who is your favorite Disney main character animal?
Mickey of course!
Which Disney movie do you dislike?
Tarzan or Pocahontas
Who is your favorite villain?
Truly, Disney villains have always been my favorite so I can never decide between Malificent or Cruela de Ville
I love the music from so many so this is a tough one. I think "Ain't never had a friend like me" from Aladdin, performed by Robin Williams, has some of the most amazing lyrics in a Disney film ever!
Thanks Jimmie Earl for the meme!
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