What? You’re still using this link… 24 June 2009
Posted by Obi-Mom Kenobi in Obi-Mom Kenobi.Tags: Obi-Mom Kenobi
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Yup, still moved. Change those sidebars and feed readers. 1 May 2009
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Yup, still moved. Change those sidebars and feed readers so you’re not missing all of my astounding insights.
We would be honored if you would join us. 7 April 2009
Posted by Obi-Mom Kenobi in Reviews.Tags: Reviews, iPhone, MacBook Air, ihome stereo mini speakers
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“We would be honored if you would join us.” – Darth Vader, Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back
Time for an exciting round of Is the Hype Worth the Press – The Apple Version (aka – wishful thinking about hot, new technology).
Because Dad Windu has to work pretty hard for each dollar he brings home, I do not part from our family’s cash easily. Something has to really blow my socks off to peel the dollar bills from my hands. Thus, I am not an early adopter of electronic gear – although as a card-carrying tech junkie I would l.o.v.e to be an early adopter. I’m the one who would come to your house and play with your electronic gadgets for hours on end, if only you’d let me.
The iPod Nano’s (and assorted docking accessories) that I bought for Dad Windu, Padawan Learner and myself last Christmas were the first Apple products that we’ve every owned. Shocking, I know. While I can’t say I’ve become a devotee, I have definitely caught of glimpse of the pixie dust flying around. But to really drink the Kool-Aid, I’d have to be bowled over by one or more of the following:
iPhone
I would love to get my hands on an iPhone. My current cell phone is little more than a step up from two tin cans and a string. Seriously. Welcome to 2001, Obi-Mom Kenobi! It can neither take nor receive pictures. Its keypad is far too small to text anything more than S.O.S. It has a battery life of approximately 15 seconds. It can’t even download ringtones. Theoretically it can – the manual says it can – but what actually happens is the phone freezes up and makes very, very, very bad sounds while it runs through the remaining 14 seconds of battery life. We bought it last summer when I did something very stupid. Yet it is the only mobile phone our family has. Because it is so pathetic, I rarely use it. While I find many of the apps available for the iPhone ridiculous, several appear to be potentially quite useful. I guess the biggest question I have is for that much money (in addition to a rather steep monthly service fee), would it really become an essential part of my daily life or just a source of short-term entertainment?
MacBook Air
I should admit right now that we Jedi don’t own a single laptop. I hang my head in shame. I am a tech geek without the must fundamental piece of tech. Oh, how I would love to change that fact! We’ve owned PC’s up to this point (they’re cheaper overall – if less reliable and more prone to viruses – and we can order them at a serious discount through Dad Windu’s office), but I used an older MacBook last year while traveling with a friend and found the Mac interface a pleasant experience. This same friend just got a MacBook Air. It’s a shame she lives on the complete opposite end of the continent because I’d love to put one through its paces.
iHome Stereo Mini Speakers
These little speakers are tiny, tiny, tiny which would make them perfect for traveling (and they come in my favorite color – bright red!), but can they deliver the sound? If they live up to the 4 and 5 star review on Apple.com, I could easily see Padawan Learner and I using these in our Roomette on an Amtrak train when we go out west to visit friends and family (this fall? next spring?). But at nearly $50 for something that there is a pretty good chance we’d be losing along the way (they’re the size of walnuts)… they’d have to prove themselves to be pretty darn amazing.
Mr. Jobs (or any of his people) can feel free to contact me with shipping info at their earliest convenience. I’ll be sure to give them an honest review.
All too easy. 5 April 2009
Posted by Obi-Mom Kenobi in Daily Living.Tags: eating out
3 comments
“All too easy.” – Darth Vader, Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back
The five most wonderful words in the English language are, “Are you ready to order?”
You have failed me for the last time, Admiral. (Or, I need your help!) 3 April 2009
Posted by Obi-Mom Kenobi in Homeschooling, Just Plain Fun.Tags: Homeschooling
12 comments
[Darth Vader has just learned of Admiral Ozzel's latest blunder]
Admiral Ozzel: “Lord Vader, the fleet has moved out of lightspeed and we’re preparing to…”
[Ozzel stops, suddenly begins to choke, and clutches his throat]
Darth Vader: ”You have failed me for the last time, Admiral. Captain Piett?”
Captain Piett: “Yes, my lord?
Darth Vader: ”Make ready to land our troops beyond their energy field, and deploy the fleet, so that nothing gets off the system.”
[Admiral Ozzel utters one last strangled gasp and falls over dead next to Piett]
Darth Vader: ”You are in command now, Admiral Piett.”
Admiral Piett: “Thank you, Lord Vader.”
Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back
I need help picking a name for a new homeschooling website for my area. Since everyone loves a contest, I’m giving a $15 gift certificate to Amazon.com to the person who suggests what I think is the best name (even if I don’t end up using it). Contest ends Tuesday, April 7 at 5 p.m.
The website will contain pages for:
- local play/networking groups;
- regional educational programs (such as for a biology or chemistry lab, a film-making class, a theater class, etc.);
- tutors/mentors and people seeking help with a certain topic (e.g., electronics, piano, fiction writing, foreign languages) to find each other;
- a calendar with community-wide cultural programs;
- a place for people seeking more/new recreational buddies (golf, model trains, tennis, D&D, running, avant-garde foreign films, disc golf, papercrafts, fishing, etc.); and
- who knows what else! (Feel free to leave suggestions.)
It will be primarily directed at homeschoolers, unschoolers, life-learners, whatever you want to call us. It will probably have an emphasis on classes that are offered during the day, but really cool stuff will be included regardless of when it is offered. I know that – like all homeschoolers – I have spent too many frustrating days hunting for local resource info, only to fail to find the necessary info when needed. I’ve also heard about really wonderful programs that Padawan Learner couldn’t use, but that someone out there would love to know about. I’ve decided there has to be a better way. This website, hopefully, will allow people in the area to pool useful homeschooling-related info in a single, convenient location.
The rules for this contest are simple. The name must
- suggest educational info;
- be easy relatively to remember;
- allow for a city name (use Great Forks as your model); and
- not be crude. (I know. I suck the fun out of everything, don’t I?)
Sadly, I live in a city that does not fully appreciate crude so my initial favorite, Crazy A$$ Homeschoolers, is not an option.
Good luck, have fun and feel free to pass the word. I look forward to seeing everyones’ ideas.
I can only protect you, I cannot fight a war for you. 3 April 2009
Posted by Obi-Mom Kenobi in Daily Living, Knitting, Simplicity.Tags: Knitting, spring
6 comments
“I can only protect you, I cannot fight a war for you.” – Qui-Gon Jinn, Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace
The weather outside looks like this right now. Please note the grey skies and the bud-less tree branches.
This is unacceptable after such a long, cold winter. It’s April people. A.p.r.i.l.
I need blue skies, bright sunshine, emerald green grass, and tulips galore. The only thing protecting me from succumbing to the pre-Spring blahs at this point is a pair of hand-knit socks from my bestest buddy Eileen.
See how spring-y they are? How bright and cheery? Unless you too are the lucky recipient of hand-knit socks, you can’t comprehend how comfy and cozy they are. I highly recommend you learn to knit, just so you can ensure yourself a steady supply of hand-knit socks – and don’t cheap out on the yarn, go for the good stuff. At the very least, get yourself a knitting friend. Your emotional health may just depend on it.
PS – I highly recommend you learn to knit (or crochet), because then you can join Ravelry!
Lord Vader, we only use this facility for carbon freezing. 31 March 2009
Posted by Obi-Mom Kenobi in Frugal, Living Lightly, Simplicity, Sustainability.Tags: Frugal, use it up april
9 comments
Lando Calrissian: “Lord Vader, we only use this facility for carbon freezing. If you put him in there it might kill him.”
Darth Vader: “I do not want the Emperor’s prize damaged. We will test it on Captain Solo.”
Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back
Here’s a shout-out to anyone that is getting more and more afraid to look in the back of the pantry or the bottom of the deep-freeze. Kethry announced tonight that she is going to participate in Catz’ Corner’s Use it up April, and so am I. To be honest, I didn’t even know there was such a thing when I decided yesterday to try not do any but the most essential grocery shopping for April, but I think Catz is on to something. Waste is waste and reducing it is in all our best interests. This can only help to s-t-r-e-t-c-h out next month’s lean income and will be a real help in getting us ready for the bounty that will be coming with the next growing season at the CSA.
Another happy landing. 29 March 2009
Posted by Obi-Mom Kenobi in Just Plain Fun.7 comments
“Another happy landing.” – Obi-Wan Kenobi, Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith
This is my new desktop image.
Who could have anything other than a happy day with this to greet them every morning?
