8/11/2013

weekly update 8/11/2013

I got a new phone this week. Let me say this: smartphones are NOT for dumb people! The phone I've had forever was due for a “free” upgrade (we all know what that means - come in for your new “free” phone & we'll sell you something more expensive). But I wanted something to replace the phone, ipod, and possibly the jetpak router I had with just one device. Well, 2 out of 3. This phone is supposed to be able to serve as a router for the laptop, but I haven't figured that out yet. I may never be able to figure it out. But, I can always go to the club house to work on the 'puters there in the office that is for use by residents. That's where I'm sending this from this evening. (I'd rather not go to the clubhouse on week-ends, so I may change the date of the update from Sunday evening to sometime on Monday. I'll see how it goes). The new phone has some cute features: I can voice activate my grocery list or to add a contact, or update my “notes “app. So instead of writing “buy cookies” I can just speak it and it writes it down. I'm sure the voice thing can be used for other options, too; I’ll have to investigate. It inadvertently called Marcia Lloyd every couple of hour or so one day, which is nice that I can check in, but is quite annoying for her. I also called Allen by mistake while I was doing tours at BC on Sunday afternoon. Sorry!  I can make calls all right, but I'm having trouble picking up if I receive a call. Don't be surprised if you call and it goes to voicemail; and don't be surprised if it takes a while for me to get back to you - voicemail is a challenge, too. Texting is easy. The camera is little better than the ipod, but it's going to be a hassle to get photos onto the laptop since I don't have Kodakgallery any more, and I keep all pix on the 'puter. The apps are all different than what I’m used to, too. Moving from the Apple ipod to a Google based galaxy phone is something I need to get used to. I'm struggling, but someday I'll be able to use this in all it's glory. I've got a list of questions to take back to the Verizon store after I've had the phone for a week. 

taken with the new phone

struggling

 

Aside from playing with my new toy, this was a pretty slow week.

Monday was a disappointing book club meeting. We've been without a leader for the last two meetings, and since a new librarian started on July 1st, we were expecting her to be ready to meet with us and lead a lively discussion about Edith Wharton's Age of Innocence. Well, I guess she didn't want to, and she wasn't there. We were frustrated and a little angry about that. I don't know know what will happen next month. Perhaps it's time to quit this, or find another book club, or just read my historical novels & biographies and forget trying to reach to something a little different than my normal reading habits.

I was a the pool four times. I have been trying to get up really early and go as soon as I arise - say, around10:30 - even before coffee- so that I can enjoy having it all to myself to swim. I discovered that it's often not crowded in the afternoons, either, so now I'm waiting a little. It makes the mornings a little more relaxing and I can s-l-o-w-l-y wake up. 

 

I had planned to go to Jim & June's condo on Thursday to play some Rummikub. I've seen June a couple of times at the pool this summer, but I haven't really had a chance to visit with them. So I went there on Thursday. It was nice to see them again. And I won!

Saturday, I was planning to just stay in and read or watch tv. But, Beth called around noon to see if I'd be interested in going to the movies. We went to Despicable Me 2. Delightful! It really was fun, and I laughed out loud in some place, merely snickered in others. What's not to love about that little Agnes, or those darling minions? After that we went to nearby restaurant for an early supper. It seems as if I haven't talked to her in forever. I usually see Beth when the ladies' dining out group meets, and it's difficult to really to talk to anyone when we're all together as we're all trying to tell what we've been doing. This was very nice to have some time with just Beth. 

Driving out to meet Beth, I was reminded that having a convertible, even in the South, even in summer, is not all it's cracked up to be.  I started out fine, and the sky was pretty with white puffy clouds.  Before I'd gone 5 miles, the skies opened up and I had to pull over to put the top up.  I rode like that for about 3 minutes, when it was suddenly sunshine and clear skies again.  Pulling over once more, I put the top back down, and I was able to get to the movie theater with a dry interior.   

Sunday was the Second Sunday, and I had a BC tour in the middle of the afternoon. That meant I didn't get to watch the Bills beat the Colts in their first pre-season game. It was a good win, but it is only pre-season, and really means nothing. I was back to the condo in time to watch the 4th quarter. It's really really good to watch football again. Wouldn't it be nice if this game indicates that the Bills are a team on the way up and that they will win more than half the games this season. More than half is the best I'm going to hope for.