Tonight, Broadway HD is doing a live stream of Holiday Inn on Broadway. That's why I now find myself on the sofa, warm and cozy, watching it with the bestie. And what better way to accompany a live stream than with a live blog? Probably many things, but I like the idea so I'm sticking with it : )
7:45 - Technical difficulties that apparently Twitter is quite angry about...
8:03 - Still having issues...Come on Broadway HD, get it together!
8:16 - Website down, and the FB stream of the opening number has now ended. This was a whole lot smoother when we saw She Loves Me...
8:22 - The Live stream finally started - yay! We've missed the first 22 minutes of the show - boo!
8:24 - There's now an inn - I wish I knew what happened in the first 22 minutes that made them leave showbiz for an inn..But hey, Blue Skies!
8:28 - Do you think if I showed up to an old house, a cute guy would sing and dance with me?
8:30 - This story is just a wee bit different than the old movie.
8:31 - How did the kid from High School Musical become a Broadway star?
8:32 - Hey, they sang this song on MASH! (We're having a heat wave, a tropical heat wave...)
8:33 - I feel like if we'd seen the first 22 minutes, it might make more sense why one dude is still performing and one owns an inn.
8:34 - This audience doesn't sound like they're enjoying the show at all - and they didn't even have to deal with the missed 22 minutes.
8:35 - This main guy could have been played by Blake on Madam Secretary. They could be twins!
8:36 - Why is there a kid delivering bank notices?
8:40 - Ok, the turkey outfits are super cute!
8:45 - Watching Broadway with a Golden Retriever staring at you is a little disconcerting.
8:45 - I wish we lived in a time when kids dropped by with homemade pies.
8:50 - The cleaning lady is very funny! And apparently she went to my college - cool!
8:51 - And we've reached some more technical difficulties...ugh.
9:01 - It's Christmas for a moment (and it was just Thanksgiving before the technical issues!)
9:02 - Buffering....
9:07 - So in place of Holiday Inn which is still buffering, the Coro-Knee-tion of King George III the Fifth (Hamilton) will totally work in a pinch.
9:08 - Now it's New Years, for about 7 seconds. Then it's buffering again.
9:10 - #NetflixDoesn'tHaveTheseProblems (This is a solid bestie quote!)
9:14 - Intermission! And we only saw about 20 minutes. Fabulous...
I feel as this Live Stream may be a bit boring - seeing as the show is still buffering. So I'm calling it a wash and ending it at Intermission. This time tomorrow, I may still be trying to watch this darn show...If so, I'll fill you in on the 20 more minutes I've actually seen. Night!
Showing posts with label Technology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Technology. Show all posts
Saturday, January 14, 2017
Friday, January 6, 2017
One Very Long Week
After a very long week, in which I worked much longer than 8 hours everyday, there'll be no Friday Five. Unfortunately, I didn't have any time to discover anything fabulous because I was much too busy trying not to lose my mind.
Though, I suppose the most fabulous thing though, would have to be getting everything that we needed to get done, done. There was a far amount of scrambling, and a fair amount of whining. There was some heavy lifting and some dull reading. There was some greasy pizza and some outright cursing. But in the end, everything made it out the door in the insane time limit that was given to us. We won't know until next week how everything looks to the people with the checkbooks, but I do believe we rocked it hard.
Now, it's off to do what people that rocked it hard do - go off to sleep cozily in their beds at 9:00 on a Friday night...
Though, I suppose the most fabulous thing though, would have to be getting everything that we needed to get done, done. There was a far amount of scrambling, and a fair amount of whining. There was some heavy lifting and some dull reading. There was some greasy pizza and some outright cursing. But in the end, everything made it out the door in the insane time limit that was given to us. We won't know until next week how everything looks to the people with the checkbooks, but I do believe we rocked it hard.
Now, it's off to do what people that rocked it hard do - go off to sleep cozily in their beds at 9:00 on a Friday night...
Monday, December 12, 2016
Cyber for a Dummy
I have to vent about something. I work for a cybersecurity company. I listen to lots and lots of cybersecurity stuff all day every day. Now I have no background in it, so I'm not saying I'm an expert. But I do work with a lot of experts that have gone to many years of school and gained many certifications that make them very, very smart in the field of Cyber. And I'm learning so I at least have a base of knowledge in the topic.
So when Donald Trump attacks the CIA/FBI on Twitter (which is an entirely other can of worms!) by saying that it's "almost impossible to track a hack after the fact" I'm pretty offended. Being offended by this man is par for the course these days, but let's just say I'm even more disgusted than usual. Every single cyber security expert would disagree with this ludicrous statement. The entire field of cybersecurity exists because this is patently false.
Forensic investigators have all sorts of tools and processes for tracking a system infiltration. In fact, there's an entire Framework built around these processes. Investigators can not only track how an attack has happened, but where it came from and who did the attacking. It is 100% possible and it's a point that's inarguable.
So why exactly does Donald Trump think the American people are stupid enough to not realize this? There are a lot of tech-savvy people out there. But, I suppose we can just add it to the list of things Donald Trump thinks we might overlook. What's even worse is that these tactics of diversion seem to be working for him. Hasn't anyone in power realized this isn't normal?
So when Donald Trump attacks the CIA/FBI on Twitter (which is an entirely other can of worms!) by saying that it's "almost impossible to track a hack after the fact" I'm pretty offended. Being offended by this man is par for the course these days, but let's just say I'm even more disgusted than usual. Every single cyber security expert would disagree with this ludicrous statement. The entire field of cybersecurity exists because this is patently false.
Forensic investigators have all sorts of tools and processes for tracking a system infiltration. In fact, there's an entire Framework built around these processes. Investigators can not only track how an attack has happened, but where it came from and who did the attacking. It is 100% possible and it's a point that's inarguable.
So why exactly does Donald Trump think the American people are stupid enough to not realize this? There are a lot of tech-savvy people out there. But, I suppose we can just add it to the list of things Donald Trump thinks we might overlook. What's even worse is that these tactics of diversion seem to be working for him. Hasn't anyone in power realized this isn't normal?
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
Word-less
In the world of computers - i.e. the world I live in at work - I know next to nothing technical. I listen. I research. I try to absorb. But in the end I'm pretty much clueless in comparison to the people I work with. However, I do know Microsoft Office. Now, I know you're saying that everyone knows Microsoft Office. And you'd totally be right. But it's a personal point of pride with me that I'm very good at making Office - PowerPoint, Word, Outlook - do things I want it to do.
I can make pretty presentations, and teach others how to set up documents. I can create specific forms of documents and make them look professional and polished. I can create beautiful templates in PowerPoint with great graphics - perfect for teaching classes (which is good since that's sort of my job in a nutshell.) But today I've met my match. Today was the day I set out to create a template in Microsoft Word.
Yeah, it didn't go well to say the least. It's about 9:00 pm and I still haven't cracked it. You'd think this would be a fairly easy process. You'd think a few google searches would get me there. But you'd be wrong. A few google searches showed me how to save a template as a template. Newsflash google, I got that. That's small potatoes! It's the actual template itself I'm finding so impossible. I need sections, and sub-titles. I need numbered headings and graphic titles. I need figures and appendices. And yet, I've got nothing.
Why oh why is Word so darn difficult? After hours upon hours, I thought about moving over to Publisher or even Adobe. But Publisher had squat and I remembered I don't actually have a license for Adobe. So there's that.
That was my day...Hope yours was a little more productive.
I can make pretty presentations, and teach others how to set up documents. I can create specific forms of documents and make them look professional and polished. I can create beautiful templates in PowerPoint with great graphics - perfect for teaching classes (which is good since that's sort of my job in a nutshell.) But today I've met my match. Today was the day I set out to create a template in Microsoft Word.
Yeah, it didn't go well to say the least. It's about 9:00 pm and I still haven't cracked it. You'd think this would be a fairly easy process. You'd think a few google searches would get me there. But you'd be wrong. A few google searches showed me how to save a template as a template. Newsflash google, I got that. That's small potatoes! It's the actual template itself I'm finding so impossible. I need sections, and sub-titles. I need numbered headings and graphic titles. I need figures and appendices. And yet, I've got nothing.
Why oh why is Word so darn difficult? After hours upon hours, I thought about moving over to Publisher or even Adobe. But Publisher had squat and I remembered I don't actually have a license for Adobe. So there's that.
That was my day...Hope yours was a little more productive.
Monday, August 1, 2016
My New Favorite Thing
It usually takes me a while to come around to technological things. Facebook was around for a good 2-3 years before I jumped on board. I just hopped on Twitter in the last 2 years or so. And don't even get me started on Pinterest - I have NO idea how I waited so long for that life-changer! My thoughts are that there isn't a big use for it. Why does anyone care what I'm doing at all times of the day? Why can't I just bookmark things instead of pinning them on a board? These are the ridiculous thoughts that go through my head, and then I'm proven wrong - it happens quite often, as you can see.
So when Facebook Live came about a few months ago, I was stumped. Why oh why would anyone need videos of people? And why do those videos have to be live? They'd have the same punch if they were recorded and then uploaded. Wouldn't they? Plus, why would anyone willingly record themselves? I don't know about you, but on video my voice is all funny and all thoughts leave my head.
Anyway, this is why I hadn't bought into it all. Until my friends went on the #BestRoadtripEver. This road trip has taken them all over the country. And because of this, they've been facebook live-ing their adventures and I do believe these videos are the best thing ever! We get to hear all about the fun things they've been doing, hear all sorts of fun questions and homework for us and get to see how happy they are exploring. Every day I anxiously await the next video and having the chance to comment with all of our other friends. I do believe they're better at this than some Travel Channel hosts. And it's all thanks to Facebook Live!
So when Facebook Live came about a few months ago, I was stumped. Why oh why would anyone need videos of people? And why do those videos have to be live? They'd have the same punch if they were recorded and then uploaded. Wouldn't they? Plus, why would anyone willingly record themselves? I don't know about you, but on video my voice is all funny and all thoughts leave my head.
Anyway, this is why I hadn't bought into it all. Until my friends went on the #BestRoadtripEver. This road trip has taken them all over the country. And because of this, they've been facebook live-ing their adventures and I do believe these videos are the best thing ever! We get to hear all about the fun things they've been doing, hear all sorts of fun questions and homework for us and get to see how happy they are exploring. Every day I anxiously await the next video and having the chance to comment with all of our other friends. I do believe they're better at this than some Travel Channel hosts. And it's all thanks to Facebook Live!
Thursday, July 21, 2016
Paper vs. Screen
I spoke to a woman today at work that kept telling me she was very much a paper person. I watched her print out numerous emails, staple them together then put them in a file folder that she put with all the other file folders of emails she currently had in her possession. Presumably, she will take these folders-full to meetings to reference anything she may have forgotten. The problem I have with this is, for one is, she took notes on the emails in a notebook - the same notebook she stored the folders in and two, she has a laptop that she was given so she could take it to meetings with her. So why exactly are we killing trees again?
I used to be very much a paper person too. I liked being able to have things in my hand just in case I needed to reach it. And I still am in regards to books and scrapbooks. I haven't crossed over to the eReader or the Digital scrapping yet. I like having a book in my hand and stickers and embellishments to play with. But emails? Definitely not. That's the beauty of smart phones. You have everything at your fingertips all the time. Why waste paper, ink and trees when you can flip open your handy dandy iPhone and with a few clicks, look at the same email she has printed out in front of her?
I suppose though it's just a personal preference of mine. Maybe I just like any excuse to use my phone so I can pretend to be working when in fact I'm checking Facebook. Or maybe I'm just the Lorax and I'm speaking for the trees : ) In any case, be a screen person rather than a paper person. There aren't too many other fabulous things about the 21st century (if the current presidential race is any indication), the least we can do is use technology to its fullest and enjoy the fact we no longer have to carry stone tablets or pencil sharpeners around with us wherever we go...
I used to be very much a paper person too. I liked being able to have things in my hand just in case I needed to reach it. And I still am in regards to books and scrapbooks. I haven't crossed over to the eReader or the Digital scrapping yet. I like having a book in my hand and stickers and embellishments to play with. But emails? Definitely not. That's the beauty of smart phones. You have everything at your fingertips all the time. Why waste paper, ink and trees when you can flip open your handy dandy iPhone and with a few clicks, look at the same email she has printed out in front of her?
I suppose though it's just a personal preference of mine. Maybe I just like any excuse to use my phone so I can pretend to be working when in fact I'm checking Facebook. Or maybe I'm just the Lorax and I'm speaking for the trees : ) In any case, be a screen person rather than a paper person. There aren't too many other fabulous things about the 21st century (if the current presidential race is any indication), the least we can do is use technology to its fullest and enjoy the fact we no longer have to carry stone tablets or pencil sharpeners around with us wherever we go...
Wednesday, July 13, 2016
Slightly Lost...
"What exactly is Pokemon Go and more importantly why do I care?"
After seeing about a dozen articles on the subject over the course of about 12 hours, this was an actual question I asked my workmates yesterday morning. I was given the following answer: It's an alternate reality version of Pokemon hunting using the camera on your phone. Now, I'm not a complete moron when it comes to technology. I use my phone quite a bit and happen to love all sorts of apps that make my live easier and more fun. But after getting that answer, my first response was
Huh????!!!
Those individual words make sense but when you throw them all together in a sentence, I'm lost! From what I can tell, this newest tech craze requires you to wander around aimlessly looking for "Pokemon" that aren't actually anywhere, through the lens of your phone, losing all sight of the traffic, other people, or crimes going on around you. That much I get.
But I'm getting lost in the Pokemon themselves. How exactly do you find something that isn't technically there - or anywhere if you really want to get specific? They're just little animals made of computer code. Are they "put" places? Do you find one, then share the photo? And then do other people locate that exact same spot to find the same Pokemon? Is that the thing? Because if it is, I'm seeing loads of struggling businesses that don't get a lot of foot traffic being brought back from the brink of disaster by Pikachu and his friends!
Then there's the case of what happens when you do find them. Do you have to do something special to capture them? Is taking a picture with your camera sufficient to "catch" them? Because I gotta say, I've almost exceeded my phone's limits just taking pictures of everyday life. I gotta think that these people that are snapping away at Pokemon are going to need more space on their phones to store them all, eventually!
I have all of these questions just trying to decipher the game. I haven't even brought up the complete incomprehension of articles I've read about the fall-out from the game. Auschwitz and Arlington National Cemetery have had to request people not play the game in their facilities. (That should not have to be said!) People have had accidents attempting to Pokemon Go and Drive (Can't you just see that ad campaign now? Instead of an egg indicating your brain on drugs, there'll be a smashed Poke-ball to signify your brain on Pokemon Go... : ) While another article shared the story of a husband who was caught cheating because of the game.
And this game has only been out in the States for less than a week!
Isn't that slightly terrifying? I know that Pokemon Go was created as a way to get gamers out and about and moving, which I'm all for. But I think I liked it better when they were holed up in their basements playing. At least then they were safe, sound and not walking into trees....
Friday, July 1, 2016
Friday Five
1. There will never be a better representation of Boris Johnson in the middle of this #Brexit madness. I love it!
3. This week on Twitter, not only did I discover that a local newsman was following me (I have NO idea why seeing as I post nothing about Baltimore or Maryland), but I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Stephanie Block who is going to play Trina in Falsettos actually liked my tweet about reading Falsettos. First Fully Committed commented to me and now Stephanie Block? I'm famous! : )
4. BookDepository.com - Do you have any idea how amazing this website is? Thousands upon thousands of books from all over the world - including all the British ones I adore - for absolutely, positively free shipping! Apparently they come at the pace of a snail but if you can wait for them, you'll get a great deal. I may or may not have bought 11 books that I've been wanting for the last year...
5. The best thing I learned all week was all about my godforsaken computer. A few weeks ago, after 2 years of ignoring the calls to update to Windows 10, my dumb computer decided to auto-update to 10. That caused all sorts of issues - we're talking 10 minutes just to log on, having to restart 8-10 times just to log on, crazy ghost like moving of my cursor and windows. So after a bit of googling - thank goodness for Google! - I learned you can roll back to what you had before within 30 days of the update. Thankfully it hadn't been 30 days yet and in a matter of a half hour, my computer was back to working well again. Now I just have to figure out why 24 hours later, I can't launch Chrome...
2. Word of warning, this montage is heartbreaking. But Ryan Murphy and Friends created a beautiful tribute to the 49 Orlando victims, as well as a call to action to outlaw the guns that killed these people.Boris pops in to see how the #brexit plan is coming along pic.twitter.com/bfSfnssRd4— Hilly (@HillyFoz) June 27, 2016
3. This week on Twitter, not only did I discover that a local newsman was following me (I have NO idea why seeing as I post nothing about Baltimore or Maryland), but I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Stephanie Block who is going to play Trina in Falsettos actually liked my tweet about reading Falsettos. First Fully Committed commented to me and now Stephanie Block? I'm famous! : )
4. BookDepository.com - Do you have any idea how amazing this website is? Thousands upon thousands of books from all over the world - including all the British ones I adore - for absolutely, positively free shipping! Apparently they come at the pace of a snail but if you can wait for them, you'll get a great deal. I may or may not have bought 11 books that I've been wanting for the last year...
5. The best thing I learned all week was all about my godforsaken computer. A few weeks ago, after 2 years of ignoring the calls to update to Windows 10, my dumb computer decided to auto-update to 10. That caused all sorts of issues - we're talking 10 minutes just to log on, having to restart 8-10 times just to log on, crazy ghost like moving of my cursor and windows. So after a bit of googling - thank goodness for Google! - I learned you can roll back to what you had before within 30 days of the update. Thankfully it hadn't been 30 days yet and in a matter of a half hour, my computer was back to working well again. Now I just have to figure out why 24 hours later, I can't launch Chrome...
Thursday, June 30, 2016
Live Blogging a Live Stream
And these are my thoughts - thoughts I pretty much had when I saw it live, but it's rude to blog when you're in a theatre : )
~ It didn't start out well. There were definitely some technical difficulties. Thank goodness for Twitter, where we learned that everyone was having the same issues. Since then, it's been absolutely perfect!
~ This set is gorgeous! I'm so happy they won the Tony for set design. It looks like a beautiful parfumerie that I would love to shop in.
~ Zac Levi is just so darn dreamy and likable! And so darn talented.
~ The only issue I have with the show is that Amalia and Georg are supposed to hate each other. I just don't buy the dislike.
~ When I saw it, there was another actor playing Ladislav. The new actor is quite good. Apparently this dude was on Frasier. So that's cool.
~ Laura Benanti has a beautiful voice, but I'm just not a fan of that Soprano in the middle of a show of non- classically-trained singers. She just doesn't fit in with the sound.
~ The kid that plays Arpad is so going places. He's phenomenal!
~ Gavin Creel is such a cutie (Shallow comment of the night...)
~ Jane Krakowski's ability to get her leg up on Gavin Creel's shoulder and then jump into a split is utterly baffling! I can barely touch my toes and she's splitting across the stage...
~ I'm always shocked by the dark turn and how quick it comes. Things lighten up pretty quick after but whoa, wasn't expecting it...
~ Knowing when I have to pee at intermission I won't have to wait in line with 332 other people might just be the best thing to come out of this evening.
~ I saw Peter Bartlett - the head waiter - in Something Rotten! and he was just as funny. In only one number, he manages to steal the show and nail every joke.
~ Zac Levi is perfect in this part!
~ Intermission! I'm loving that this is being billed as a Romantic-ish comedy. So cute!
~ Vanilla Ice Cream Time!!!
~ "Well I'll have a little talk with myself..." : )
~ Where's my shoe?! - I had this song stuck in my head for weeks after seeing it.
~ I'm more interested at the moment in Where can I get those pajamas? So cute!
~ A whole song about Vanilla Ice Cream - how can you not love it? Also, the whole reason we had a vanilla ice cream break - just in case you weren't sure.
~ Just as I was fascinated by Jane Krakowski's split, I'm equally in awe of Zac Levi's ability to do a cartwheel and that clever little hat trick! I can barely walk down the street without tripping...
~ I have to admit, I've felt the need to sing a song about a library too. Though, as hard as I've tried, I've never met a dreamy optometrist at the library, unfortunately.
~ I would totally wear every piece of clothing the women in this show wear. Beautiful!
~ So clever to do the 12 days of Christmas with carolers narrating!
~ The Christmas shoppers look like me about 3 days before Christmas...I'm stressing just thinking about it.
~ They keep going on and on about how "awful" Georg was - I just don't see it!
~ Hollywood kiss in the snow - Perfect ending!
~ Using the "Please come again soon" after the curtain call - so perfect!
And that's that - a fabulous way to spend an evening and I'm now hoping all the shows follow their lead. So exciting!
Sunday, April 17, 2016
Just So Darn Creepy...
I consider myself fairly well-versed in technology and social media. I know how to do things on the computer. I understand most tech-speak - and if I don't I can sorta guess what you're talking about it. I use Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest religiously. I even know what a meme is. And even with all this, I still can't fathom what the heck Snapchat is about.
Apparently, lots of people use it to take photos - why they can't just use the camera on phone. Because as far as I can tell, the only thing it has going for it is that you can add words to the photos to explain to people what's happening in the photo. Which I suppose would come in handy if you couldn't really see the photo but if you can't see the photo, then you can see the words, right? I feel there's a flaw in their logic.
And of course the other thing it does - and the entire reason I'm railing against the machine - is this face swap thing that so many people are using to terrorize their friends and frighten small children. Why, why, why?? Why on earth is this a thing? It's just so darn creepy. Let's pass a rule that we as the human race aren't going to do that anymore. Life will be just a whole lot more refined...
Apparently, lots of people use it to take photos - why they can't just use the camera on phone. Because as far as I can tell, the only thing it has going for it is that you can add words to the photos to explain to people what's happening in the photo. Which I suppose would come in handy if you couldn't really see the photo but if you can't see the photo, then you can see the words, right? I feel there's a flaw in their logic.
And of course the other thing it does - and the entire reason I'm railing against the machine - is this face swap thing that so many people are using to terrorize their friends and frighten small children. Why, why, why?? Why on earth is this a thing? It's just so darn creepy. Let's pass a rule that we as the human race aren't going to do that anymore. Life will be just a whole lot more refined...
Friday, January 15, 2016
Friday Five
1. There may be a slight obsession thing happening with Hamilton, if it's in fact possible to be obsessed with a show you haven't seen yet and won't be seeing for another 8 months. Anyway, while I count down the days until I do get to see it, I've got to fill the time doing something. Today it was read about the ridiculously awesome wall the cast has backstage where all the many famous people that visit get to sign. So very cool!
2. I wasn't really voting for the Vikings to win the playoff game last week against Seattle. But in the last few seconds, when it came down to a field goal, I'd decided it was a foregone conclusion. Until he missed. The poor guy, Blair Walsh to be specific, the kicker for the Vikings missed a 27 yard field goal in Minnesota and lost the game for his team. That's got to be tough to swallow. I really felt for the guy. However, I didn't feel as much for him as these first graders did. How cute are they?! I'm not sure it's easy to come back from such a career failure like that, but I'm sure these kids helped a lot!
3. First off, I've been waiting to see Zootopia for months - basically since I saw the first trailer. Now I'm even more excited based on the ad campaign that Disney's using. I'm not sure I agree with using 50 Shades of Grey to sell anything (most especially Disney) but I'll try to ignore it in favor of all the others. Because the rest are adorable!
4. After spending a long hour just attempting to register for a non-credit course on a local community college's website, my new most favorite thing is websites that are intuitive. I love websites that have buttons that make sense and actually take you where you need to go instead of taking you down a rabbit hole with every page saying the same exact thing! Bad websites really make you appreciate Google and Facebook a lot more, don't they? So I'm saying that the geniuses at Google are on my most favorite things this week!
5. Love the New Yorker's tribute to Alan Rickman - it's just so perfect!
2. I wasn't really voting for the Vikings to win the playoff game last week against Seattle. But in the last few seconds, when it came down to a field goal, I'd decided it was a foregone conclusion. Until he missed. The poor guy, Blair Walsh to be specific, the kicker for the Vikings missed a 27 yard field goal in Minnesota and lost the game for his team. That's got to be tough to swallow. I really felt for the guy. However, I didn't feel as much for him as these first graders did. How cute are they?! I'm not sure it's easy to come back from such a career failure like that, but I'm sure these kids helped a lot!
3. First off, I've been waiting to see Zootopia for months - basically since I saw the first trailer. Now I'm even more excited based on the ad campaign that Disney's using. I'm not sure I agree with using 50 Shades of Grey to sell anything (most especially Disney) but I'll try to ignore it in favor of all the others. Because the rest are adorable!
4. After spending a long hour just attempting to register for a non-credit course on a local community college's website, my new most favorite thing is websites that are intuitive. I love websites that have buttons that make sense and actually take you where you need to go instead of taking you down a rabbit hole with every page saying the same exact thing! Bad websites really make you appreciate Google and Facebook a lot more, don't they? So I'm saying that the geniuses at Google are on my most favorite things this week!
5. Love the New Yorker's tribute to Alan Rickman - it's just so perfect!
"Here’s to the best damned antagonist a guy could ask for.”
Thursday, December 10, 2015
Almost App-tastic: Get Unstuck!
While reading a few new blogs this week, I discovered a new app written up in one of the blogs called Unstuck. I have to admit, I usually avoid all apps that aren't social media or photography, but this one sounded intriguing. It's basically a crystal ball - not really but it's easier to explain it like that - that helps you determine where you're stuck in life or in relationships or in other areas of your life. You answer a few questions and out pops an answer - and, I was told, ways to help get unstuck.
Mostly drawn by the design itself, I gave it a try. I answered all the questions honestly. There were only a few and none were that difficult. And as it turns out, it mapped my personality perfectly. I can see pretty much every part of this particular personality type in myself. It's not a fantastic trait that I'm happy about, but it was most definitely true. But this app was going to help stop me from continuing down this path, right?
It was supposed to give me tips on how to be more decisive and make a decision. However, their helpful tips were nothing more than good ideas. They wanted me to give myself time limits for decisions and decide if the decision I needed to make was life or death. Apparently, taking the jeopardy out of the decision, helps you decide quicker. That's all well and good. But if it's difficult for me to make a decision, telling me to logic my way out of it, isn't really going to help.
So if you're looking for a great descriptor for how you are or if you want to confirm you are how you think you are, I would give it a try. If you're looking for ways to be more decisive, or ways to change your thinking - maybe try another app. I hear Facebook is nice...
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Cyber-y
So after spending the entire day at a cyber conference, I've mad a few observations. First being, that even though I attended last year and "manned the booth" I some how got
worse at it this year. I'm not sure how this happened. Last year I had a whole shpeel about what we did and how good at it we are. Today more than once, I had to stop from talking because I was tripping up over all the cyber-y words.
Then there's the whole subject of social awkwardness. Honestly, I would say I'm pretty awkward around people. I'm shy and not a big fan of engaging people I don't know if they haven't spoken to me first. However, I ain't got nothing on some serious cyber heads I met today. I'm not sure they're used to talking to people that aren't inside a computer. So striking up a conversation when neither party knows exactly what to say makes things just a bit difficult.
My last observation is that sales people - not all of them mind you, and most definitely not the really good ones - are often quite, how should I put this as nicely as I can, jerk-y. They sort of run right over you with how important they are and how you'd be stupid not to partner with them/buy their product/sell them your first born. I understand you have to be confident to get the sale, but does that also mean you have to be a butt head while doing so?
Overall, there were some absolutely lovely people there - People I'd love to get hired at our company or to work with. And there were definitely some not so lovely people that I'm so happy I only have to see once a year. But overall, cyber conferences are just about as exciting as they sound - in other words, not much.
Oh and also, paying $30 for parking and $15 for a crappy grilled cheese, is really not my idea of a fun day.
Rant officially over : )
worse at it this year. I'm not sure how this happened. Last year I had a whole shpeel about what we did and how good at it we are. Today more than once, I had to stop from talking because I was tripping up over all the cyber-y words.
Then there's the whole subject of social awkwardness. Honestly, I would say I'm pretty awkward around people. I'm shy and not a big fan of engaging people I don't know if they haven't spoken to me first. However, I ain't got nothing on some serious cyber heads I met today. I'm not sure they're used to talking to people that aren't inside a computer. So striking up a conversation when neither party knows exactly what to say makes things just a bit difficult.
My last observation is that sales people - not all of them mind you, and most definitely not the really good ones - are often quite, how should I put this as nicely as I can, jerk-y. They sort of run right over you with how important they are and how you'd be stupid not to partner with them/buy their product/sell them your first born. I understand you have to be confident to get the sale, but does that also mean you have to be a butt head while doing so?
Overall, there were some absolutely lovely people there - People I'd love to get hired at our company or to work with. And there were definitely some not so lovely people that I'm so happy I only have to see once a year. But overall, cyber conferences are just about as exciting as they sound - in other words, not much.
Oh and also, paying $30 for parking and $15 for a crappy grilled cheese, is really not my idea of a fun day.
Rant officially over : )
Thursday, May 21, 2015
Funny Ha-Ha
Today was one of those cold, dreary, rainy days in Maryland - one of those days when you'd much rather be in bed reading a book than pretty much anything else. There were 2 things though, that made me laugh out loud and one other thing that made me very happy, on top of a great lunch out, yummy potato soup for dinner and some laughs at work - so I suppose it wasn't all bad.
Happy - If you can't tell already, I got my laptop back. As my friend Jennifer says - Woop Woop! It's very exciting and while I didn't have a lot of faith in it actually being fixed (Geek Squad could only tell me there were no viruses. Apparently there were no notes in the file as to whether the wireless was fixed - which was, you know, the whole reason I took it to get fixed in the first place), it seems like it is. I'll keep my fingers crossed that it keeps on chugging along. Blogging is way too difficult on an iPad.
Laugh Out Loud 1: I may have been the only person to read this story today but some dude decided to strip down to his birthday suit in an airport because his flight was too full. I mean, I suppose I've been angry at an airport before, but what exactly does stripping down to your civvies do to help the situation? I'm assuming it makes it worse because now you're cold AND you're not on an airplane, and I'm sure you now have that whole pesky TSA thing to deal with too.
Laugh Out Loud 2: Has anyone else seen the Hillywood Show? I discovered it today when everyone was tweeting about their new video. It's 2 girls that create parody sci-fi and fantasy shows and movies set to music. It's hard to explain, however, they're super creative and super funny. These girls have some serious talent! The Supernatural one came out today, and was scene for scene a perfect match for the entire season - the dancing cameos at the end make for some serious laughs. After that one, I wanted more so I tried Doctor Who's Time Warp which is also all sorts of perfect. Love, Love, Love!
Happy - If you can't tell already, I got my laptop back. As my friend Jennifer says - Woop Woop! It's very exciting and while I didn't have a lot of faith in it actually being fixed (Geek Squad could only tell me there were no viruses. Apparently there were no notes in the file as to whether the wireless was fixed - which was, you know, the whole reason I took it to get fixed in the first place), it seems like it is. I'll keep my fingers crossed that it keeps on chugging along. Blogging is way too difficult on an iPad.
Laugh Out Loud 1: I may have been the only person to read this story today but some dude decided to strip down to his birthday suit in an airport because his flight was too full. I mean, I suppose I've been angry at an airport before, but what exactly does stripping down to your civvies do to help the situation? I'm assuming it makes it worse because now you're cold AND you're not on an airplane, and I'm sure you now have that whole pesky TSA thing to deal with too.
Laugh Out Loud 2: Has anyone else seen the Hillywood Show? I discovered it today when everyone was tweeting about their new video. It's 2 girls that create parody sci-fi and fantasy shows and movies set to music. It's hard to explain, however, they're super creative and super funny. These girls have some serious talent! The Supernatural one came out today, and was scene for scene a perfect match for the entire season - the dancing cameos at the end make for some serious laughs. After that one, I wanted more so I tried Doctor Who's Time Warp which is also all sorts of perfect. Love, Love, Love!
Monday, April 20, 2015
Flipping Out
Aside from getting everything done before I leave for parts unknown in 36 hours, and living through a tornado warning, today was your usual boring Monday. Except for the crazy seminar I was forced to attend on Flipping the Classroom. Apparently when you work in education and training, seminars taught by teachers who teach teachers are a thing you're forced to live through. I've been here and done this once before - Train the Trainer - and it was not my cup of tea.
Today's was no different. What was worse was that I actually thought this one might be fun. But the "science" just didn't make sense. If you're new to the Flipping the Classroom thing, it's the new hippy dippy trend in education. Teachers give actual learning (videos, powerpoints, etc.) for homework then students use what they learn in class, essentially doing old school homework with the teacher. It's supposed to be a grand idea. And in theory I suppose it makes sense.
However, by giving students videos and things to watch, you're still giving them homework, per se. It doesn't sound much different than the homework I had. And the part that really throws me is the skills part. So, say you're in 1st grade and you're learning 1 + 1 and 2+2. Giving you videos about this and then working on worksheets in class, isn't really helping you memorize this fact. It's one of those things that you just need to remember. Doing the old school homework by writing these facts and solving these problems (multiplication tables, spelling words, etc.) are the best way for your sense memory to kick in.
I also have a problem with the teacher. She's a lovely woman and very sweet. And I love activities such as writing on placemats or stretching mid class by doing semi-sorta jumping jacks, just as much as the next girl - or just as much as the next girl who also taught pre-school. But something tells me if we were to throw these activities on the computer nerds we teach, they'd be giving us some major side eye.
Also, and as a purely personal matter of taste - slides covered in orange with a Bad Moon Rising sort of theme (with grammatical errors and formatting errors on each slide) is not the best way to show how much you know.
Oh well. It wasn't a total loss. At least we get credit for the class and there were no ice breakers - truly the worst part of any class for an introvert like me. I'll take the win!
Today's was no different. What was worse was that I actually thought this one might be fun. But the "science" just didn't make sense. If you're new to the Flipping the Classroom thing, it's the new hippy dippy trend in education. Teachers give actual learning (videos, powerpoints, etc.) for homework then students use what they learn in class, essentially doing old school homework with the teacher. It's supposed to be a grand idea. And in theory I suppose it makes sense.
However, by giving students videos and things to watch, you're still giving them homework, per se. It doesn't sound much different than the homework I had. And the part that really throws me is the skills part. So, say you're in 1st grade and you're learning 1 + 1 and 2+2. Giving you videos about this and then working on worksheets in class, isn't really helping you memorize this fact. It's one of those things that you just need to remember. Doing the old school homework by writing these facts and solving these problems (multiplication tables, spelling words, etc.) are the best way for your sense memory to kick in.
I also have a problem with the teacher. She's a lovely woman and very sweet. And I love activities such as writing on placemats or stretching mid class by doing semi-sorta jumping jacks, just as much as the next girl - or just as much as the next girl who also taught pre-school. But something tells me if we were to throw these activities on the computer nerds we teach, they'd be giving us some major side eye.
Also, and as a purely personal matter of taste - slides covered in orange with a Bad Moon Rising sort of theme (with grammatical errors and formatting errors on each slide) is not the best way to show how much you know.
Oh well. It wasn't a total loss. At least we get credit for the class and there were no ice breakers - truly the worst part of any class for an introvert like me. I'll take the win!
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Cyber Security
It may be because I work for a cyber company. Or it may be that I'm naive. But when all of these people start complaining that the government is listening to their calls or scanning their emails - the only thing I can think of is, thank goodness. Thank goodness because by doing so, they may catch a bad guy doing bad things. And also, I'm not doing bad things so what the heck do I care?
I know that net security is a big topic, and I also understand why people have a problem with big brother watching 24/7. And I sort of get it. But by my matter of thinking, we'd all have a much bigger problem if those terrorists that the FBI and DHS were watching on the internet were free to complete whatever nefarious plans they had in the works. Law Enforcement's job is hard enough already. Why should we make their jobs any harder by questioning every single move they make to keep us safe on the internet?
This topic sort of came up today at lunch (like I said, cyber company therefore computer nerds). We were talking about whether or not to have social media accounts. We all thought you should definitely have them - but don't be stupid. Understand what you should and shouldn't reveal on a public forum. Duh! If everyone would just abide by the the Don't be a dummy rule, maybe they wouldn't be so up in arms that big brother was looking at their data.
PS: And as a simple point of contention - why do you think you're special enough that you think the entire Department of Defense wants to scan your vacation photos or your travel spreadsheets? They're just looking at ones and zeros people!
I know that net security is a big topic, and I also understand why people have a problem with big brother watching 24/7. And I sort of get it. But by my matter of thinking, we'd all have a much bigger problem if those terrorists that the FBI and DHS were watching on the internet were free to complete whatever nefarious plans they had in the works. Law Enforcement's job is hard enough already. Why should we make their jobs any harder by questioning every single move they make to keep us safe on the internet?
This topic sort of came up today at lunch (like I said, cyber company therefore computer nerds). We were talking about whether or not to have social media accounts. We all thought you should definitely have them - but don't be stupid. Understand what you should and shouldn't reveal on a public forum. Duh! If everyone would just abide by the the Don't be a dummy rule, maybe they wouldn't be so up in arms that big brother was looking at their data.
PS: And as a simple point of contention - why do you think you're special enough that you think the entire Department of Defense wants to scan your vacation photos or your travel spreadsheets? They're just looking at ones and zeros people!
Friday, March 20, 2015
Friday Five
1. Seriously though, how cute are these books? I love me some food books and these can designs for three edible sounding books are too gorgeous for words. I adore the design, the typography and pretty much everything about them. Though, I have to admit, books in cans may make the whole book-shelf thing just a bit crowded.
2. This. This makes me very happy. How do so many musically talented people make up one cast?
3. I will be visiting San Antonio for work next month and I've been reading a lot - mostly on Pinterest, let's be honest - about the city and what there is to see and do. And I'm certain, I'll have a good time there. But the thing I'm most excited about and the one thing I've been dreaming about are the puffy tacos. It really doesn't take much to make me happy, as you can tell. I've already started plotting the trip based on what restaurants serve the best puffy tacos. It's a long list and I'll only be there over the weekend - I foresee being very stuffed : )
4. Google Cardboard: I know this sounds like a ridiculous thing I saw on the Onion, but it's a real invention by someone (I'm not even positive it's actually by Google) and it's awesome! It's a VR system so you can experience virtual reality with your phone and some cool apps. It's literally made out of cardboard, a metal ring and some lenses. And it totally works! I got to try it out this week and it's the coolest thing ever. I was ready to drop the $20 right there until I learned it was for Android devices. This was the first and only time I've ever coveted an Android phone. The worst part about it is that you can sort of rig it up to work with an iPhone and there are apps available that will work with it on iTunes, but it has to be a new iPhone not the rinky-dink 4s I have. So sad!
5. I feel that this post is getting geekier and geekier, but I don't care. Nathan Fillion + Alan Tudyk + Kickstarter for a webseries = Awesome! I cannot wait to see what these 2 goofballs come up with! Seriously - how could it fail?!
2. This. This makes me very happy. How do so many musically talented people make up one cast?
3. I will be visiting San Antonio for work next month and I've been reading a lot - mostly on Pinterest, let's be honest - about the city and what there is to see and do. And I'm certain, I'll have a good time there. But the thing I'm most excited about and the one thing I've been dreaming about are the puffy tacos. It really doesn't take much to make me happy, as you can tell. I've already started plotting the trip based on what restaurants serve the best puffy tacos. It's a long list and I'll only be there over the weekend - I foresee being very stuffed : )
4. Google Cardboard: I know this sounds like a ridiculous thing I saw on the Onion, but it's a real invention by someone (I'm not even positive it's actually by Google) and it's awesome! It's a VR system so you can experience virtual reality with your phone and some cool apps. It's literally made out of cardboard, a metal ring and some lenses. And it totally works! I got to try it out this week and it's the coolest thing ever. I was ready to drop the $20 right there until I learned it was for Android devices. This was the first and only time I've ever coveted an Android phone. The worst part about it is that you can sort of rig it up to work with an iPhone and there are apps available that will work with it on iTunes, but it has to be a new iPhone not the rinky-dink 4s I have. So sad!
5. I feel that this post is getting geekier and geekier, but I don't care. Nathan Fillion + Alan Tudyk + Kickstarter for a webseries = Awesome! I cannot wait to see what these 2 goofballs come up with! Seriously - how could it fail?!
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Geeky and I Know It
In a life full of loads of geeky things - seriously, though, I'm a bit of a nerd - I may have done the geekiest thing I've ever done this evening. And this is from someone who's been to ComicCon. I attended a Hacker Trivia evening at a bar. Yep, you heard that right. Here's the thing. I'm not sure if you've noticed this or not, but I know NOTHING about computers. Oh yeah, I also don't drink...
There are days I can barely figure out Facebook. However, I work with lots of computer nerds and apparently this is what they do for fun - drink and decipher code. At one point, the entire room laughed at one of the team names. I still have NO idea why it was funny. I've never been so confused. Seeing as I work for a tech company, I thought the majority of questions would go over my head, but I'd at least figure out a few. Yeah, no. There wasn't a single question I could have even guessed an answer to.
But I have to admit, it was pretty fun. The room was full of people who were super smart and super excited about all things computer-y. And honestly, what's more fun than hanging with people that are enjoying something fully?!
There are days I can barely figure out Facebook. However, I work with lots of computer nerds and apparently this is what they do for fun - drink and decipher code. At one point, the entire room laughed at one of the team names. I still have NO idea why it was funny. I've never been so confused. Seeing as I work for a tech company, I thought the majority of questions would go over my head, but I'd at least figure out a few. Yeah, no. There wasn't a single question I could have even guessed an answer to.
But I have to admit, it was pretty fun. The room was full of people who were super smart and super excited about all things computer-y. And honestly, what's more fun than hanging with people that are enjoying something fully?!
Monday, January 5, 2015
Living in the Future
I may have already preached my love for living in the future. But there are some days, that you just have to get way too excited that it's 2015 instead of 1945. Today's love for technology stems from Tunnel Bear (a product I also may have shared my love for before.) But it needs to be said again. Tunnel Bear should be the product of the year, maybe the decade! It's a VPN that allows you to make your computer look like it's in another country.
There are many reasons, many good, enlightened and possibly earth changing reasons someone may want to do this. I'm sure coders use it all the time to test their creations. Me? I use it to watch Broadchurch & Sherlock. I'm not even going to lie...
Not only is it a great product, but it's super easy to use. You download the player, choose the country you want to VPN into and a few seconds later you're browsing the BBC and iTV. Seriously! It's that easy. There's a free version and paid version but even the paid version is pretty darn cheap and so worth the cost.
And now, thanks to it, I don't have to avoid every spoiler out of Britain for the next 2 months until Broadchurch series 2 comes here to the states. Also, since my stupid cable company deleted BBC America, Tunnel Bear just jumped up to the tippy top of my list of technological loves.
I just adore the future!
There are many reasons, many good, enlightened and possibly earth changing reasons someone may want to do this. I'm sure coders use it all the time to test their creations. Me? I use it to watch Broadchurch & Sherlock. I'm not even going to lie...
Not only is it a great product, but it's super easy to use. You download the player, choose the country you want to VPN into and a few seconds later you're browsing the BBC and iTV. Seriously! It's that easy. There's a free version and paid version but even the paid version is pretty darn cheap and so worth the cost.
And now, thanks to it, I don't have to avoid every spoiler out of Britain for the next 2 months until Broadchurch series 2 comes here to the states. Also, since my stupid cable company deleted BBC America, Tunnel Bear just jumped up to the tippy top of my list of technological loves.
I just adore the future!
Friday, December 26, 2014
Friday Five
1. I'm currently writing this on my brand new laptop - woohoo! Love that it's not heavy, it's working correctly and the keyboard clicks (weird criteria I know, but I like knowing that I've typed a key ; ) Yay for new technology - now if I could just figure out Windows 8, I'd be a much happier camper.
2. Christmas with family and friends. I love the holidays! I know I spent the entire month of December stressing out over presents, crafts and snacks but when all is said and done, it was so worth it! It was so fun to see everyone open their gifts and I got spoiled as usual. It was a wonderful Christmas spent with all the people I love!
3. Shake Shack - I'm a little obsessed with Shake Shack. I've been to Shake Shack exactly 3 times. Once in DC, Once in NYC and Once today in Tyson's Corner. And oh my goodness, is it delicious! I'm in love with the Shake Sauce, the cheesy fries, and of course the shakes. Delicious! I'm so going to be in trouble when it opens in Baltimore in the Spring...
4. 5 day weekends. Can I just say that the world would be a happier place if all work weeks were 2 days and weekends were 5 days? Gotta love Christmas vacation!
5. Christmas dinner - Homemade pasta with homemade meat sauce, Chiapperelli's salad and garlic bread. OMG - Yum! Major food coma. Then dessert too - Delish!!
2. Christmas with family and friends. I love the holidays! I know I spent the entire month of December stressing out over presents, crafts and snacks but when all is said and done, it was so worth it! It was so fun to see everyone open their gifts and I got spoiled as usual. It was a wonderful Christmas spent with all the people I love!
3. Shake Shack - I'm a little obsessed with Shake Shack. I've been to Shake Shack exactly 3 times. Once in DC, Once in NYC and Once today in Tyson's Corner. And oh my goodness, is it delicious! I'm in love with the Shake Sauce, the cheesy fries, and of course the shakes. Delicious! I'm so going to be in trouble when it opens in Baltimore in the Spring...
4. 5 day weekends. Can I just say that the world would be a happier place if all work weeks were 2 days and weekends were 5 days? Gotta love Christmas vacation!
5. Christmas dinner - Homemade pasta with homemade meat sauce, Chiapperelli's salad and garlic bread. OMG - Yum! Major food coma. Then dessert too - Delish!!
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