Game.

I am becoming obsessed with the game “Words With Friends”. This is an iPad and iPhone app that works much like Scrabble. One can play with random people or friends can seek each other out and challenge each other to a game. I like the game because when it’s my move I can take my time and play when I get the chance. I like the lack of pressure.

I’m not a big fan of playing games on my iDevices. I tried GodFinger and that was okay but I found myself becoming emotionally attached to these virtual people that I was flinging around. I felt guilty when I felt inclined to squish them like an ant. Perhaps it was because they were drawn to be rather cute. Angry Birds is fun for a little while; I especially like their looks and sounds of determination, but I can only fling things at pigs so much before I want a BLT.

Words With Friends is challenging for me. I feel like I’m exercising my brain a little bit when I play. Sometimes I’ll throw up random letters hoping it makes a word that I’m not familiar with and occasionally this system works. Plus, it increases my vocabulary. I don’t recall ever using the words NOIL in a sentence unless I was drunk or something. Nevertheless, it was worth some points.

So today I’m sitting in the sunshine playing some fake Scrabble. Look me up on there if you feel so inclined.

16 February 2011 by Fun and Games Dept 0

Sunshine.

We woke up this morning to moderately warm temperatures. I was surprised to see that it was 45 degrees when I left for work, but I really appreciated it. It made me realize that we are plodding along this winter thing pretty well.

I take Vitamin D on a daily basis to combat Seasonal Affectation Disorder but I still feel a little glum from time to time. My body needs sunshine. I don’t mind cold and snow on the ground but I just need to feel the warmth of the sun to get through it all.

I occasionally remark that spring is my least favorite of the seasons. I am usually referring to early spring where everything is sopping wet, the skies and gray and the weather is so changeable that you can go out in shorts but you have to bring a parka along just in case. I like the results that spring brings and I’m usually golden when I can see a field of dandelions but until then I find it kind of drab.

To celebrate the warm temperatures today I took my morning walk around the parking lot at work. This lifted my spirits considerably. I awoke feeling kind of blah about the day today because the husbear is off to Buffalo for a few days and we have the whole Valentine’s Day thing going on. Loved ones have remarked that I’m considerably off kilter when Earl is out of town and they are correct. Nevertheless we have to do what we have to do.

So as I look around whilst typing, I see the glimmer of sunshine off in the distance and I feel warm enough to roll down the window a bit. Tomorrow they see it’ll get to only 19F but then warm back up on Wednesday. Again with the changeability. I need the sunshine.

We might have to seek it this weekend.

14 February 2011 by Ponderings and Musings 2

Diner Food!



Diner Food!, originally uploaded by iMachias.

Sharyn’s Place, just off the Edic Rd exit off Route 49 in Marcy N.Y.

12 February 2011 by Fun and Games Dept 1

Taste Test.



Taste Test., originally uploaded by iMachias.

I once drove 14 hours in one direction to taste the McRib for the very first time. It was being advertised on WGN and since WGN is in Chicago and I had a few days without work on my schedule, I took the plunge and drove the 12 hours or so to give the McRib a try.

I only had to drive as far as Gary, Indiana.

That was 20 or so years ago. This past week I was driving home from work and noticed on the new McDonalds sign outside of the freshly renovated McDonalds near work that they now had a “BBQ Chipotle Bacon Angus Burger” as the new McTaste McSensation. Naturally I had to give this a try. So I invited my best beau out on a date tonight and we went to a nearby store to give it a whirl.

Quite tasty. This could lead to a very unhealthy addiction. I hope these burgers are for a limited time only.

I reloaded my Arch Card, usually reserved for iced tea purchases, with an extra week’s worth of cash just in case of an addiction emergency.

The burger is quite nice and actually didn’t feel like I was eating anything unhealthy. Earl pointed out that it was basically a McRib with beef instead of pork, so I suppose that’s the reason that I’m lovin’ it. (Notice how I worked that slogan in right there). Not only did I find it tasty but I was also pleasantly surprised to see that it wouldn’t bind me up like the other McTreat I enjoy does, that second burger being the Cheddar Melt.

The McDonalds we went to tonight is owned by a different owner than the store near work so it doesn’t have the new spit shine on it but they’ve spruced up the inside and the help is less surly. It’s a start.

But I’m really lovin’ this new burger. Highly recommended in moderation if you’re into that sort of thing.

11 February 2011 by Fun and Games Dept 1

Short.

I still love the local Subway. It would be perfect if it wasn’t for the customers. Today I observed:

A kid ripping down the chip display as he swung around like a monkey. His mother bought him a medium pop as a reward.

A woman trying to text on what appeared to be a rotary phone whilst asking for fries.

Another woman absolutely floored by the selection of bread. She was unable to make a decision.

I would go on, but I don’t want to sound negative.

– Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

11 February 2011 by Fun and Games Dept 1

iPhone.

I may have mentioned once or twice that I am a fan of all things Apple and that I would be quite excited if/when the iPhone made it’s debut on Verizon Wireless. I must have mentioned this because when I say something at home about it, I get a blank or irritated look and a mimicked “I don’t care”.

Jeez.

My new iPhone 4 arrived yesterday and yes, it’s a Verizon iPhone. My last iPhone was a 3G, which I got rid of because AT&T didn’t offer 3G service for most of my commute. They have since added some 3G capabilities but I’m quite pleased with Verizon. My Motorola Droid was a good trouper through my first Verizon experience but it didn’t give me that creative feel owning an iPhone does. I know, it’s all in my head. But it’s my head and I can do what I please with it.

When I plugged my iPhone into my Mac last night to activate it, I was delighted to see that it offered to migrate all my settings and apps over from my old iPhone, even though that phone is long gone. So when it got done synchronizing and getting it’s affairs in order, I was looking at a much better looking version of the home screen I had nearly a year ago.

It’s good to be home.

I have already started taking pictures and posting them to Flickr and my blog again. I’ve been tying things together with Flickr talking to this blog, which talks to my Tumblr account, shouts at Twitter and updates the Facebook for me. I think this social networking thing they talk about just might catch on.

Oh, I’m using the new iPhone as my new wireless device while at lunch. So I have a Verizon MiFi device for sale.

– Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

8 February 2011 by Geek 1

Snow banks.



Snow banks., originally uploaded by iMachias.

I love this time of year. A parking lot snow bank makes a great lunch backdrop.

8 February 2011 by Fun and Games Dept 1

Morning Commute.



Morning Commute., originally uploaded by iMachias.

The commute wasn’t too bad today.

8 February 2011 by Fun and Games Dept 0

The National Anthem.

So Christina Aguilera sang the National Anthem for the Superbowl this year. You may have heard that she messed up the words. She did.

I’m offended by her performance.

I believe that if you are fortunate enough to have the honor of singing the National Anthem live before an audience, the first thing you need to remember is that this is not your moment. This moment belongs to the country that all Americans love and you have a duty to lead a tribute to that which we hold dear.

The melody should not be screwed with. The word ‘brave’ does not have a dozen syllables with a wild assortment of notes. One of the most dignified performances I have ever encountered was done by the Dixie Chicks, where they performed the song in three part harmony. The tempo was normal and the blending of their voices was awe inspiring. They lent their voice as the song held it’s own.

The National Anthem is not a ballad. It is derived from a relatively lively old English drinking song, if memory serves it has something to do with “Anacron” or “Ananacron”. It’s not a slow number. Don’t make it something it isn’t.

Quite frankly, every American should know the words to the National Anthem, just as we know the Pledge of Allegiance or the way Christians know the Lord’s Prayer*. It should be a given that you know the words. Michael Bolton shouldn’t need a crib sheet and Christina Aguilera shouldn’t do an abridged version.

Don’t hassle me about whether I can do better. I don’t know if it can be compared but I have sung the National Anthem at two hockey games; my performance at one of the games was punctuated by fireworks being blasted over my head in the indoor arena as I sang the last note. I didn’t make the song my own, I used my talent to pay tribute to my country.

I was offended by Christina saying “thank you” at the end of her performance. Not because she was terrible, but because the performance shouldn’t have been about her, it was about the United States.

For the love of all that is decent, please stop destroying the National Anthem with your own interpretations. Lead the crowd in a song that everyone can participate in. *That’s* why you’ve been chosen to sing at the event.

Be proud, be humble and show some love for your country.

* I admit that I still have to sing the Lord’s Prayer in my head when it’s time to sing it.

Update 07 Feb 11 08:13: Reading through comments on various sites, I see that others share my opinions. I don’t know if it’s because I’m getting older or if I just have specific expectations of paying tribute through the National Anthem, but others share my feelings. Here are two comments from The Washington Post editorial section:

Note to Roger Goodell (and his colleagues):

The National Anthem is NOT as damned lounge act in a third rate Vegas hotel.

Next Super Bowl (or World Series, or Final Four, or whetever,) get a band from any of the service academies, play the song with dignity, and listen to it being sung by 100,000 people…who know the damned words!

If you don’t know what a rampart is, go back to the 4th grade.

Sid Prejean
LtCol, USAF, Retired

Posted by: sidprejean | February 6, 2011 10:29 PM | Report abuse

I dislike every rendition of the national anthem by singers focused on their own performance rather than respect for the nation, it’s people, and the anthem. There are many groups, military, collegiate, etc. Who will sing the anthem properly. We do not need to listen to mediocre singers, changing the rythmn or the melody (often because they are unable to reach the high notes or keep time), trying to be “cute.” I am offended by self-serving butchering of the anthem. Can we please stop choosing “pop” performers who can’t sing.

Posted by: Eagle-Ed | February 6, 2011 10:33 PM | Report abuse

6 February 2011 by Everyone's A Critic. This Ain't No CNN. Why. 1

Flickr.

Ah, Flickr, how I have forgotten about thee as of late. I was reading the latest version of Macworld (via the iPad app) and I noticed a review of this app called Flickpad Pro. I enjoy the random browsing experience one can have on an iPad so I decided to give it a try.

Wicked cool. If you have an iPad I recommend the app.

The interface takes your photos, and your contacts as well, and puts them into a stack that you can arrange and tap on to ‘pick it up’ for a closer look. It’s kind of like that Microsoft Surface interface we saw years ago but didn’t seem to go anywhere. An intuitive interface lets you make comments and the like. I just found myself browsing through photos for the past ten minutes when I haven’t looked at Flickr in ages, simply because I didn’t care for the web interface.

I haven’t been posting many photos on Flickr lately but this app, coupled with my impending Verizon iPhone, has inspired me to do so again. I’m thinking I might try a 365 days project again. It keeps me inspired, when I remember to do it.

– Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

3 February 2011 by Geek 0

About J.P.

Just a guy with a husband. We’ve been together 28 years and he still makes me see fireworks on a daily basis. Hiker. Storm Chaser. Private Pilot. Tech Guy. Hackerish.

Weird? Eccentric!

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