iLove my iPhone

The original wallpaper on the iPhone is a photo of the Earth taken from space. It’s cool. I left it like that for the few weeks I’ve had it. Today, with a little spare time, I changed it to Van Gogh’s Starry Night.

My first “issue” with the iPhone had nothing to do with the phone itself and everything to do with my cable company (TW). Big surprise. Anyway, thanks to David Pogue (author of iPhone The Missing Manual, the problem has been solved.

I was able to receive mail but unable to send it. That’s a big deal. So off to see what Mr. Pogue had to say about that. To be honest, I tried both fix #1 and #2 but neither worked. I ended up using fix #3, which was to use AT&T (official carrier for iPhone) for my outgoing mail. It seems to be working but I won’t know for sure until Monday. If it isn’t, you’ll know by Monday as well.

The other issue I had is I inputted all my contacts but when I synced, I lost them. I haven’t synced since and I know some patches and updates are available. That’s just another cool thing about the iPhone. They tell you NEVER buy the first version because there are bugs and glitches. However, those bugs and glitches are so easy to fix when you just sync your iPhone like you would your iPod. It’s instantaneous. And let’s face it, in a world that demands instant gratification, this is pretty sweet. Hopefully I won’t lose my contacts this time. It’s pretty time consuming to re-enter them and the iPhone doesn’t sync with Outlook contacts. I’ll see what Mr. Pogue has to say about that tomorrow. (If you have a Yahoo, Gmail, .mac or AOL account , you'll be just fine!)

The battery also has to be charged each night if you spend a decent amount of time on- line like I do. Not really a big deal to me though.

Finally for today, you've never seen e-mail on a phone like this. Let me quote David Pogue, "Dude, if you want a more satisfying portable email machine than this one, buy a laptop."

That’s all I’ve had time to comment on so far. Between the new job, school, and life in general, not to mention an over the top Goo Goo Doll concert (future blog to follow), it’s been a little hectic and I haven’t devoted the time the iPhone deserves. It’s been pretty effortless to use and update, and I’m thrilled and proud to own one. I showed it to a less than savvy gadget person who proclaimed, “I must have one.”

I’m surprised I waited as long as I did to purchase mine. I mean, I did get in on the “unprecedented” drop in price, but still…it’s just so cool.

Change is the only constant

That's one of the mantras at my place of employment. At times, I think it might be better said that ambiguity is the only constant, but I don't think they'd take my suggestion.

However, I firmly believe, and have witnessed several times, that change brings opportunity! And, for me, that occurred last week. I'm migrating from a training coordinator position to a systems coordinator position. Training/people development and systems are my two loves, so there really is no way for me to lose. I haven't held a systems job for nearly 3 years at my company, so I'm excited to get back into it. Plus, the systems job is more "stable," which bodes better for my near future. To be fair - I don't want to paint the wrong picture - one thing my company does very well is give folks ample opportunity to find something else within the company when their job is being "transitioned" away. It's not always the best situation, but it's better than the way most companies use the "pink slip." My previous job wasn't up for "transition," but I think it's likely that in the near future changes of that nature could happen.

So, I'll be learning a lot of new things, and re-learning some old things. I am looking forward to it. I did hear through the "grapevine" that some folks aren't too happy about the decision, but that's nothing I haven't had to handle before. There are enough good people in enough right places to get things done, and to make some good relationships along the way. Plus, I'm pretty confident in my own abilities!

Enough about work - it's the weekend!

I submitted my Stuntman - Ignition review earlier in the week (who knows when it will get posted). I gave it an A-; the highest rating I've given an Xbox 360 game yet. Quite frankly, it's definitely the best 360 game I've reviewed so far, and among the best I've played. I'll post a link when it's on Gameshark.

My next project is a review of an online version of Diamond-Mind Baseball. I'm going to start looking into that this weekend. Plus, I might be getting a Sherlock Holmes game to review. I love me a good mystery!

Sitting Pretty

It doesn’t happen very often, at least not to me.

Some of my friends have landed jobs that are “overwhelming” or jobs they simply dislike for a myriad of reasons. Some have even been told, “You have very big shoes to fill.” My one friend keeps telling me, “I can’t keep up.”

Well, I can’t imagine having to be the one that follows the “one” - the one that was deemed ‘stellar’. You surely can appreciate how dreadful and dismal this all sounded to me. I didn’t’ have a choice though. Just like them, I had to start over. I was a little perplexed, pre-occupied, and looking for a Plan B.

Me… The chick that has to find a new job and hears all these horror stories.

Me… About to start this new job that I’m not even sure I want.

Me… I know…it’s all about ME!

As it turns out, to my utter dismay and astonishment, I recently learned that numerous candidates applied for this job. That being said, I ended up, so far, and this is only week # 3 mind you, I ended up “sitting pretty.”

Believe me, I am as shocked as you are.

I know most people do the best job they can. I’m sitting pretty right now because anything I do is a vast improvement over my predecessor, who I’m sure did their best. We all know it’s hard to fit in. I struggle too, with my new work environment, new responsibilities, and new politics. I hate being the new person. I just went through this crap in tech school! I lost my comfort zone, my freedom, and my vacation. I have to prove myself all over again. But fate, or faith, or something I cannot discern or name, stepped in.

I am coming in at the perfect time – when digging out and digging in is required, and more than needed; when new procedures and standards need to be formulated and implemented. When new protocols must be established and adhered too. Where dire straits exist and must be eradicated. All I can tell you is that this quagmire exists and could have extremely detrimental effects. I have my hands full.

I’m also sitting in class right now as I hand write this missive in my notebook. It’s been a very long day for me and I need a break…a break to blog.

I wish I were sitting as pretty in class as I am in my new job.

iOrdered

Great deal. Done deal.

I ordered my 8GB iPhone last Sunday. I also ordered the protective sleeve that fits over the top because I KNOW there will be plenty of fingerprints otherwise. Oh, and I don’t just mean mine. I’m including all those people who want to handle the coolness of MY iPhone, and physically mess with its on-line capabilities and functionality! It’s just like all those who wanted to play with MY ROOMBA! Well, someone has to be the trailblazer of these gadgets and it might as well be me. A girl could do worse.

My brother has had the iPhone for weeks. He said he logged onto a blog to check out a few things but it was filled with pre-purchasers, like him, harping big time on the major price cut that is, to date, “unprecedented.” He said it’s the price you pay for being the trailblazer of new toys, and the $100 rebate is better than nothing. Still, I’m glad I waited.

My brother still thinks his iPhone is the coolest thing he owns and let me tell you, he owns plenty of cool things. I usually get a few of his “old” toys and they are always in mint condition. I contact him before Best Buy. Seriously! Well, to my good fortune yet again, he accidentally ordered two copies of iPhone: The Missing Manual by David Pogue. He was going to return the extra copy but low and behold, he got e-mail from me with a plethora of iPhone questions. His answers simply solidified what I already knew: It was time for me to own an iPhone. So, he sent me the extra copy instead of returning it. I sent him a check and he ripped it up. I’ll be baking him homemade chocolate chip cookies for that. In all seriousness though, if any of you own an iPhone, this book comes very highly recommended.

According to “Kevin,” my iPhone salesperson (not my blog friend), all I need to do when my phone arrives is plug it in to my PC like I do my iPod. Then I can transfer my existing AT&T phone number to my new phone. Sounds too easy. He said it can take anywhere from two hours to two days for the changeover but hey, I’ve waited this long. It paid off too considering the “unprecedented” price drop. Warning: Be aware that your current monthly bill with increase by $20.

So, let’s recap.

IPhone 8 GB: $399.00
Protective Cover: $ 14.95
Leather Case: $ 34.95

Being the owner of an iPhone…. PRICELESS!

Cool phrase I stumbled upon once again:

Ships are only safe in harbor, but that’s not what ships were built for

Do Not Bend

When I walked into my second interview (of my new and current job), I smugly handed over my Microsoft Office Specialist certificate (in Access). I was pretty proud of that certificate. I’m not sure if I mentioned this before, but as excited as I was to receive the certificate, I was equally as disappointed when I realized it wasn’t signed by Bill Gates (though it was signed by two other individuals). I know you are all laughing out there. Trust me, you don’t want to look so smug!

My friends laughed at me. “You think Bill Gates is going to sign certificates?” Even my new boss scoffed at the notion, “Bill Gates? Yeah, right.” And this is why I hate to have high expectations or get too excited about anything because it ends up being a let down. I’m sure you know the old adage that goes something like, don’t get to close - it spoils the illusion. It’s true. It’s happened to many of us, but we try not to lose hope. I just really wanted to see Mr. Gates’ signature. He’s one of the top five people I would like to meet. (Actually, he’s number two).

Well, I just received notice I could get a digital copy of my MCP (Microsoft Certified Professional) certificate. I printed it off the site and promptly (still a little smugly) handed it over to my new boss. It felt good. I then signed up for my Microsoft “Welcome” kit, and was told it would be about six weeks.

Imagine my surprise when it came three weeks early! It was packed protectively and marked “DO NOT BEND” in bold red letters. Inside was my official Microsoft Certified Professional card (same size as a credit card) and yes, laugh if you must, a Microsoft Certified Professional pin. Well, it may not have looked right on my denim jacket covered with guitar pins and concert buttons that I wore with pride many years ago, but I will find a proper place for it.

The official certificate itself is what made my mouth drop. The kit comes in a cardboard booklet. The certificate is on the left side while the pin and card reside on the right. There was just something about that certificate that hit my core. Something that made the geek in me beam just a little brighter. Something that put that smug, sly, slow-shaping smile form across my face until my cheeks hurt. Something that made the words “DO NOT BEND” more critically necessary.

The certificate read:

“Microsoft Certificate of Excellence” and my name, followed by, “Has successfully completed the requirements to be recognized as a Microsoft Certified Professional.”

Cool! But it was the very last line that caused the burning and forced me to take a deep breath. The last line was handwritten. Two words…

Bill Gates

Driving Me Mad

My NASCAR 08 review has been posted. I'm currently in the process of reviewing Stuntman. Man, from one white-knuckle driving game to another...

I don't have a ton to say about Stuntman yet, but if you like Burnout and Project Gotham Racing, then Stuntman is for you. It's really a combination of both of those games, except instead of causing the mayhem like in Burnout, you get as close to it as you can, but avoid it, in Stuntman. Plus, you try to string driving tricks and stunts together, much like earning Kudos in PGR. I haven't decided if I think it's worth a purchase versus a rental, but driving fans really should give Stuntman a go.

It's Always the Quarterback's Fault

Disclaimer: I'm a graduate of the University of Akron, so I am definitely biased…

The Browns traded Charlie Frye to the Seattle Seahawks for a sixth round pick.

First of all, I'm happy for Charlie. He has been set up for failure since day one of this year. The plan was to make all the quarterbacks look incompetent, give none of them the appropriate amount of repetitions, and shatter their confidence so that golden boy Brady Quinn can take the helm. And, in doing so, Savage and Crennel hope to add one more year to their contracts. It's the only way they can save their jobs, given that the state of the Browns is about as bad as it was in 1999, when they returned to the NFL. Savage and Crennel sacrificed the future for Quinn, giving up a sure-to-be high first round draft pick in next year's draft to get him. Their built-in excuse will be that they're breaking in a future star quarterback, and look how much the team improved. Yep, the Browns have led the league in moral victories for the last eight years.

Quinn may turn out to be a good pro, but his track record in big games is poor. Maybe they bought into Charlie Weises' bluster in regard to his talent? Ohio State, USC, LSU, twenty-one other NFL teams, and even the vaunted Michigan Wolverines sure didn't. If you throw Quinn out there now, he has no chance. The line can't block, the receivers can't separate or catch, there is no talent at running back (please don't argue that Jamal still has anything in the tank), and Quinn will be sure to take a ton of hits, making him gun-shy. That's exactly what happened to Tim Couch, Kelly Holcomb, Jeff Garcia, and Charlie Frye. Garcia goes to another team, and then all of the sudden regains his form. I expect Charlie to have similar results, in a system where the coaches will take advantage of his abilities, build his confidence, and work him into the rotation on a team with talent. Or, at the very worst, Charlie will serve as a solid backup throughout his career. That doesn't sound so bad, does it? Ask Tim Couch…

Charlie has had four offensive coordinators in three years. He has a head coach that flips coins to determine who will start prior to games. And, he had a fickle fan base who always thinks the backup quarterback is the best player on the team (see Holcomb, Jeff). Charlie will hold a clipboard in Seattle. But, when the time comes, be it when Hasselback retires or gets injured, or through free agency to another team, he'll get another shot. And, I think he'll show his true talent. I watched this kid in Akron for four years, under difficult circumstances, thrive. He is a winner, a team player, and fearless on the field. He has a good arm, and despite what the Browns would have you think, he can read defenses and make plays. He did lead the league in completion percentage last year, after all.

The Browns have many more problems than just the quarterback. Heck, they had four penalties on one punt play last week - the play that the punter let the ball go through his hands, to boot! They need a better offensive line, a good running back, dependable receivers, a pass rusher to compliment Wimbley, depth at linebacker, and some cornerbacks. Otherwise, they're ready to contend…

It's hard to watch this - the eighth year of this crap. At least I'm free from worrying about Frye having to be perfect to keep his job. Let's just see how good Anderson, Quinn, and Dorsey really are… And, ultimately, will it really win them any more games? I predict 2-14 for this crappy team...

Gotta Go to Goo!

We said we wouldn’t do it.

We said we did it before and we won’t do it again.

We won’t have crappy concert seats. We can’t. Not after I won the radio contest. Not after meeting the band and having a photo op. Not after having second row center seats. We’re spoiled now.

Then I went and ordered tickets from the fan club site, fully expecting that membership had its privileges. The little pop-up notice said I’d get my seat number and row before I exited…so I went for it. I was “all in.” Even when I saw the “GA” (General Admission) seat number, I kept clicking away thinking, “I gotta go to Goo!”

Then I was just annoyed. I felt betrayed. I should run that website (because I have so much free time these days!) I hate “general admission.” I don’t do “general admission” anymore. I couldn’t stop clicking away at the keyboard – like the sound of the “clackers” (those girls whose stilettos make that “clickety-clack” sound on the polished floors as in the movie “The Devil Wears Prada. I’m a clacker!) I'm also a general admission ticket holder.

The tickets arrived and I tossed them aside. Then the concert was cancelled, rescheduled and moved to a new, smaller, venue. OK, time to fess up to the purchase. Well, I told my concert going friend I had tickets. I explained they could also, due to the date and venue change, be returned for a full refund (they were cheap considering what we’re used to paying a broker for second row center seats). I said, “I know it’s general admission. I know it’s on a Wednesday evening. I know we said we wouldn’t do this but…”

My friend said, “I think we should go.” I smiled one of those very slow, sly kind of smiles. I closed my eyes and nodded approvingly thinking, "You gotta see Goo too!"

And that was that. So now I’m going to work on coming in late to my new job the day after seeing our beloved Goo Goo Dolls! I have a couple weeks to work on it.

More importantly, I’m going to see one of my top two favorite bands! I’m seeing the Goo Goo Dolls for the 4th time in a year and a half. How cool is that?

…And scars are souvenirs you never lose, the past is never far
(From their first hit “Name,” by the Goo Goo Dolls)

Weekend Update (not the funny SNL version)

It looks like I’m on a pace for weekly updates… I guess that's better than nothing!

College football has kicked off, and I couldn't be more excited! Last weekend was a dream weekend for me. Akron and Ohio State won handily, Notre Dame was crushed, and Michigan fell victim in the greatest upset in college football history! This weekend, however, will be a nightmare, as my alma mater (Akron) faces the team I've supported my whole life (Ohio State). Since my time at Akron is a big part of who I am, and it's where I met my lovely wife, I can't help but root for them always. Although, it will be difficult this week, due to my immense love for OSU. Fortunately, the dastardly Big Ten Network isn't part of my cable system, so my emotions won't be twisted by watching the battle wage on. I think Ohio State wins, about 31-13 or so. Akron, hopefully, will be respectable.

I'm hoping that Penn State destroys Notre Dame, and that Michigan falls again, this time to Oregon. Kent State also visits Kentucky, which I'm going to record (I bought the Game Plan package this year) so I can scout the losers from Kent (Akron's chief rival) and hopefully see my third-favorite team (Kentucky - my parents are from there, and my dad went there for a year) secure an easy win.

Darrin's soccer team played in a tournament last weekend. They went 2-1, losing to the eventual champion in a closely contested game, 3-1. It looks like they'll be pretty good this year. The most exciting part was when the coach called Darrin's name to take a penalty kick. Darrin's a defender, and he's only scored a few goals in all of the seasons he's played travel soccer. He stepped up, went upper left over the goalie, and put away the last game we played. It was exciting, and best of all, we got it on videotape!

Brittany's softball season started this Tuesday. She's young enough to where she's still in one of those "nobody keeps score/everybody gets a trophy" kind of leagues, and they use a machine to pitch. She went 2-for-2, and was very excited. Hitting's a big mental thing for her, since she's been hit a couple of times, and is a bit afraid of the ball. Often, if she gets just an inch or two closer to the plate, she'll hit. If she doesn't, she'll strike out. That's a giant leap for her mentally, but I'm proud of her for stepping in there and overcoming her fear. She's got an excellent glove, a decent arm, and good speed. However, I don’t think she loves sports and competing like Darrin does, so she probably won't pursue it too much longer. As a matter of fact, for the first time in a few years, she's not playing soccer. That's okay, though. She's having fun, and that's what's most important. There are plenty of other things to do besides sports, and Brittany is very talented in art, and is quite the actress/comedian/story teller. Most importantly, like Darrin, she does very well in school.

My wife's birthday is Monday. Her dad is coming down to watch the kids' games this weekend. He's also going to baby-sit Saturday night so Melissa and I can go out to dinner. I'm going to take her to a place where we don't have to dump our own trays! We're going to one of the better reputed steakhouses in Columbus: Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. Hopefully, it will live up to its reputation. At the very least, we get a "date" for a change.

On the video game front, I got Stuntman in the mail this week, which is my next review for Gameshark. The premise is cool: you're a stunt driver for a movie studio, and you have to execute these elaborate stunts to the director's satisfaction. There also appears to be a bit of a "sandbox" mode, where you can set up your own stunts. You have the ability to save replays of your best work, as well. I don't know if the game will have enough legs to be a keeper, but I'm excited about giving it a run. I'm good at crashing in driving games, so hopefully it will pay off in Stuntman!