Saturday, October 31, 2009
Are You Scared?
Sound extreme? Care to challenge me on it?
What I want to know is how eating in the US got so out of hand in the first place. When I was a kid the television was already full of "eat this" messages for everything from candy to cereal to soda.
Here's the article. If this subject interests you there are some good related articles on the left sidebar to take a look at also.
Oh & have a good time trick or treating tonight...
Friday, October 30, 2009
Good Deal
Thursday, October 29, 2009
You Capture---Autumn
This weeks "You Capture" theme is autumn--my most favoritest time of the year. (that was a quote from my nephew) & that is a bit of a challenge. How do you take a picture of a season?
Here in the mountains of WNC autumn does not creep in, no, it sashays right into our eyeballs & stays there for a while, demanding attention. No peeping pastels (spring), lush jewel tones (summer) or quiet neutrals of white & grey (winter). Nope, fall in Appalachia is loud & glorius & earthy. The air gets really clear, the sky gets really blue, & it all serves as the perfect backdrop for firey yellow, orange, & red. Autumn asks us to get outside & kick some leaves....
I can't capture the whole season with a little cell phone camera but here are some pictures I've taken in the last week or so. Click on them for larger version & feel free to use them if you need them. Hope you enjoy : )
These started out white & are getting pink-ish
Doesn't the birdbath look like it has fire under it? Those are hostas.
This is last year's pic--at the Smythfield Burying Ground in Southport. I know I should be only posting recent images, but this is traditionally my week of vacation, & my mind has been on last year's outing...
Your turn! Head on over to Beth's blog & rake in some real talent...
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Let Me See If I Can Understand This
Then the gal driving the SUV got out & started yelling at the driver of the car in front of me. Ok, I don't get this--there were plenty of other spots she could have parked in that wouldn't have been much further away. Why was she yelling when she was the one causing the trouble?
Well, ok, some mornings you get a pink rainbow, some mornings you get a crazy lady...
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
What A Way To Start The Day
Nice.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Raw Food VitaMix Recipe
1 tbs raw sunflower seeds
1 tbs flax
3 tbs raw hemp seeds (find in health food stores)
2 tbs raw almonds
1 tbs raw chocolate
1 cup blueberries
2 tbs raw agave nector
24 oz pure water
1 cup ice
Mix on variable/high for about 1-2 minutes till smooth.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Good Deal
Also for the crafty, the Blue Ridge Mall in Hendersonville is having a craft show today & tomorrow.
See you there : )
Thursday, October 22, 2009
You Capture...Technology
Anyway, lately she has been posting something called "You Capture" & I asked her about it & found out that it originates with a blog called "I should be folding laundry" & it would be ok for me to give it a try. I think it will be fun. So here goes with this week's topic: Technology (I think I can handle that one...)
This is a reflection of my buddy Gary looking into a mirror. The mirror has a TV built into it. It's only about 2 inches thick & the picture quality is excellent. I'm not sure why anyone would want that, though Gary was quick to point out that if you spend alot of time in the bathroom this could be really...good. I asked the salesperson (we were at Salon Blue Ridge) how much it cost & she said it was around $3000. Well then, moving right along...
This is a picture taken in the lobby at Morris Broadband in Hendersonville yesterday. As you can see, the internet is down...
This is a picture of the computer tower that I am using to post this. It's an A+ A380 by XClio & while it looks really cool, I am not going to recommend it. The fan on the side was so loud that it just overpowered the room, that is for the 3 months the fan worked...customer support is non-existent for this product.
This piece of work is my lynx point very spoiled kitty Vena...enjoying the IMAX: Dolphins movie from Netflix last night. She loves it when I have a long project in front of the computer...& yes, she is that spoiled. I tried to tell her she could hurt her eyes but she insists on sitting close so she can reach out & swat the screen from time to time...
And finally, here's a blast from the past & my favorite piece of technology today:
Not only does this qualify as cutting edge "Green Tech", it will also help you burn calories & save money at the same time! I love it when tech actually works the way it was intended...oh, your clothes will smell really good too.
Now it's your turn. Head on over to Beth's blog & get creative! Here's the link to the "You Capture" challenge. Enjoy!
PS - I took all of these with my Blackberry Storm...
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Product Review & Comparison: Netflix vs Blockbuster
To be fair, both have the latest releases but we didn't like having to drive to the store to drop off the disks. I understand the program has changed now & you can either mail back or come into the store to drop off & recieve a free in-store exchange (non-new rental).
Netflix pioneered the "Instant Download" for the masses, even ahead of Hulu. We bought a converter from Radio Shack & started streaming the movies to our TV. Loved it! Now there's a product called a Roku that sells for about $99 that makes it even more convenient. Just add movies to your Instant Watch queue via the internet, then connect the Roku to the TV of your choice to watch anything in your queue. The Roku does need to be connected to the internet either with or without a wire. The best thing of all is how portable it is. Take it with you when you travel. Right now we have 166 films in our Instant Watch queue & 62 in the DVD at Home queue. Roku also gives you instant access to Amazon Video on Demand & MLB.com on Demand. I plan on buying at least one Roku to give as a Christmas present. Yep, it's that good. As I frequently tell my students, I love it when technology actually works the way it should.
Here's our current queue:
10/20 You watched The Dark Ages
10/14 We shipped The End of Suburbia
10/14 We received What a Way to Go
10/12 You watched Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
10/10 You watched 10 Minute Solution: Fat Blasting Dance Mix
10/10 You watched South Park: Ssn 4: Probably
As you can see we're using the Instant Watch feature more than the DVD feature, even though the turnaround through the mail is really fast in the Asheville area. We learned recently that there is a Netflix warehouse in Arden so that explains the quick turnaround.
Some info on Blockbuster:
Watch on TV—use TIVO DVR, Samsung Blue Ray, or the 2Wire MediaPoint Set Top Box , the answer to the Roku. It sells for $99 & includes credit for 25 movies, which is a great deal. One thing I do like about this device is that you can search & order titles onscreen, which the Roku still lacks. Here's the big problem with it however, everything you watch will cost you-at least $1.99 per video. That makes this a non-option for me.
Monthly Plans
Blockbuster by Mail:
1 DVD at a time $8.99
2 DVD’s at a time $13.99
3 DVD’s at a time $16.99
Blockbuster by mail + 5 in-store exchanges per month
1 DVD at a time $11.99
2 DVD’s at a time $16.99
3 DVD’s at a time $19.99
Netflix Plans:
1 DVD out at a time + unlimited instant watching $8.99
2 DVD’s out at a time + unlimited instant watching $13.99
3 DVD’s out at a time + unlimited instant watching $16.99
4 DVD’s out at a time + unlimited instant watching $23.99
*Add $2.00 per month for access to the growing library of Blu-ray titles
1 DVD out at a time (limit 2 rentals a month) with 2 hours a month Instant Watch on PC or Mac only (no Roku) $4.99
Starz Play only (no DVD’s, can be used only on PC or Mac) $7.99 per month
The bottom line? Netflix works best for me because I'm not as interested in the "latest greatest" films & I like the simplicity & pricing structure of the their plans. We watch a ton of documentaries & Netflix carries A&E, History Channel, Bravo, IFC, etc., as well as many of the newest titles. The Instant Watch feature is a staple of my day now. I site in front of the computer & stream documentaries. Don't criticize, at least I'm not distracting myself with YouTube all day.
I think the Blockbuster plan has probably improved since we last used it (2 years ago), but as the saying goes--if it ain't broke, don't fix it!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Autumn
Friday, October 16, 2009
Links To Help With Your Morris Broadband Problems - Maybe...
Click here for the link. There are plenty of other sites for you to research as well. Just search.
Here is the link to the new official Morris Broadband site, specifically the direct page to report problems. I do like their new site & hope it continues to grow to contain even better info for their customers. I hope the promises of new/better everything come to fruition soon.
At this point I'm going to throw up my hands & walk away in defeat. I have been trying to help my friends/clients for two solid weeks now & haven't been able to really do much for them. The digital phones are still really buggy & I was told by a Morris employee that the phone service was being outsourced from another company & they were working on getting it fixed but didn't really know what or when those issues would be resolved.
I'm also told that the email is being outsourced. No wonder they don't have a handle on this stuff, the ball is out of their court.
I don't know what else to do to help you troubleshoot your email issues & the Morris employess don't know either. I think it's time you seriously considered a Google or Yahoo email account. Or buy a domain from me & set up email that way.
Seems the internet speeds are a bit more stable. Looks like the Hendersonville backbone is being fed out of Asheville & peers with AT&T. Ok, whatever. I don't know when the upload speed is going to be opened up. Right now I'm getting about 470k. Grrr, just what I need. But hey, at least I've got service. Good thing I don't have a business account with a static IP.
I'm told that they are having some routing/service issues. Duh...
To my friends/clients with a sticky IP package--I'm sorry! I wish I could help you. I know you're frustrated & I feel your pain but there's really nothing else I can do. I can't reach them either & after calling for days, showing up at their office, & speaking with every employee I know, I still can't find anybody who will call you back. My suggestion is that you start writing letters & include a copy of your bill in them.
To Morris: what are you thinking? Seriously, it takes more than 2 days to train employees on a brand new software system. And why in the world are you ignoring your business clients? They are paying more per month than your home users. Why would you not return their calls? That just doesn't make sense. And yes, that's the heart of my discontent. I simply don't get the thinking process that says ignoring your highest paying clients will make the problem go away. Maybe that kind of thinking is why Morris Publishing is fighting bankruptcy?
And thanks for the job offer but no thanks. Don't you read my blog?
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Book Reccomendation
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
C'mon Morris Broadband, This Isn't Funny Anymore
These are the small business's in the area that depend on the internet to do business & this is really hurting them.
Just a phone call would make a huge difference I think.
Monday, October 12, 2009
How To Lose A Sale
- After I repeatedly say "No thanks, we're not ready to buy yet", ask me what my husband does.
- Ask for my husband's business card because you "have a laptop that really needs some repair work".
- Call my husband at quitting time on Friday evening & tell him that his wife really wants him to stop by while it's still on sale to take advantage of these great prices...
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Saturday, October 10, 2009
I'm So Classy
Friday, October 9, 2009
Pumpkin Found!
Here's the story. Ashley, the owner, received a call from an older couple several miles away from their house. The couple found Pumpkin several miles further along the road. They think whoever stole her began seeing flyers all over, got scared and... dumped her!
I'm so glad this story ended well : )
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Good Deal - Free Will Hoge MP3 on Amazon
Here's the link.
If that doesn't work, just try searching out his name & the name of the track.
Enjoy!
Missing Golden - Church Hill, TN - Please Help
1 yr old spayed female - Missing from yard early evening Oct. 6th
PLEASE CONTACT OWNER:
Ashley/Robbie Blevins - 423-357-1979 or 423-956-1976
OR BREEDER:
Jennifer/Ken Workman - 828-891-2648 or 828-606-9808
Call name: PUMPKIN
Blonde coat color, black streak on left ear
Avid Microchip
Wearing a pink collar w/ a diamond pattern - Tag is a heart shape with princess on one side
Location: Church Hill, TN
(they're pretty sure she was stolen from the yard) My friends are heartbroken. Wouldn't you be? Thanks for passing this along.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Raw Food VitaMix Recipe
1 large cucumber
1 stalk celery
16 oz water
Blend on variable/high till smooth. Use this as lunch or use it to work as a light broth for soup.
Enjoy!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Where's a Good Crowbar When You Need One?
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Friday, October 2, 2009
Morris Broadband - More Issues
Meanwhile, click here for another interesting article about Mediacom & Morris Communications.
Raw Food Vitamix Recipe
1 not too ripe bananna
1 package protein powder of your choice
1/4 cup raw sunflower seeds
1/4 tsp raw vanilla extract
1/4 cup flax seeds
32 oz water
1/3 cup raw agave nectar
Mix water, flax, & sunflower seeds on Med/Hi till smooth (app 1 min)
Add each ingredient one at a time, ending with frozen blueberries
This recipe created a bland, somewhat gritty drink that could have it's taste changed radically with a few spices--maybe cardamom? Anyway, it was very good & relatively low glycemin with the addition of the protein powder.
Enjoy!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
The Case for VitaMix, Cooking, & Your Health
The Journal of Agriculture & Food Chemistry recently published findings from a study showing antioxidant levels in carrots were increased more than 34% when cooked or pureed. Luke Howard, lead author of the study contends "The softening of the carrot tissue allowed phenolics attached to the cell wall to be released".
Levels of antioxidants continued to rise during the first week of storage and then began to fall after 2 weeks in storage. However, antioxidant levels of stored carrots remained higher than that of fresh raw carrots.
Howard explained that reactions that occurred during storage resulted in the formation of new phenolic compounds "with excellent antioxidant activity."
Keeping the outer skin on carrots also boosted antioxidant activity slightly, researchers found.
"Numerous phenolic compounds are located in the (skin) of fruits and vegetables, many of which are removed by peeling steps prior to processing," the study notes.
While the study used cooked carrots, I will point out that jucing or "Vitamixig" (pureeing without cooking) has the same effect as cooking in that it breaks down the cell wall to allow the nutrients out.
The nice thing about using the Vitamix is that if you don't cook the veggies you don't kill the living enzymes & amino acids, you get all the fibre, & it is easy to digest. All the benefits of the vegetables!
Read the article here.