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Monday, 17 October 2011

  • Sometimes Size Really Does Matter

     

    I once wrote about how size doesn't matter - that's here --->Apparently, Size Really Doesn't Matter , if you want to read it I'll wait right here.....

     

    Anyway, not long after that the family took a trip back home...all 5 of us plus luggage for a week and Christmas presents.  We took 2 cars....on a 2500 mile round trip.

     

    This last summer the 5 of us again made the trip back home.  We took 2 cars...again.

     

    That's when it started....thoughts of a bigger vehicle.  Something that could hold all of us comfortably.....Maybe something with enough space for our luggage as well....a little research revealed that the best candidate was .....a mini-van.....

     

    But then again - we can manage!  We have so far!  After all, how often did we all go someplace together?   And I'm really NOT the 'soccer mom' type!  I'm just not the ....mini-van type!  REALLY!

     

    As we took 2 cars to the Nuts & Candy store I started debating....it really would be nice to have everyone together.  Maybe it balances out!  Sure I'd drive a mini-van but I dye my hair purple!  I go to Cedar Point to scream at 140 mph for the weekend - that counters the 'soccer mom' image, right?   RIGHT??

     

    As I thought more about the room, the number of people that could fit, the amount of things we transport....I found myself getting....aggressive.  Not ALL mini-van drivers are soccer moms!  People really should be more open minded!  - Not judge people on the practical solutions they need!  We just need the room!  I can drive a mini-van if I want and not be a 'soccer mom'!!!

     

    Later as I'm brooding about it...a mini-van does make sense ...even if it is rather 'suburban' ....it's not like it will last forever anyway.  The kids will all grow up and move away some day and I'll go back to driving a little car with just me and sometimes my husband.  A mini-van would be really empty and lonely then.  But for now...it's just a car.  Who cares if I look like a suburban soccer mom?  They're everywhere.  I'll blend right in.  No one will even notice me.

     

    As we began scouting vehicles and taking test drives I really started to warm up to the idea.  No wonder soccer moms drive these!  It can fit everyone AND all their stuff with ease!  It's really a smooth ride and has so many little luxuries my little sporty stick shift doesn't.  They are actually very comfortable!  And just think of the vacations!  Road trips shared instead of separated!  Plenty of room to stretch out instead of cramped legs and stuff packed all around everyone....

     

    Soooo....having Kubler-Rossed my way through a minor crisis (don't bother looking it up, it won't be funny), I decided to do it!

     

    That's right.  It's silver and huge. We will all fit and can take everything we want with us!  It's nice to drive and very comfortable.  It's our Toyota Sienna. 

     

    Yes, it's a mini-van (oh HUSH!) - after all the denial, bargaining, anger, depression and acceptance ....Sometimes size really does matter.

     

Tuesday, 26 October 2010

  • I Think I've been iPodded

    Once upon a time I built my own PCs.  I'd buy the components and assemble them myself.  I'd swap out the components or add to them as my needs (and techy wants) dictated.  I had a room full of computers, half built computers and random computer parts.  I browsed catalogs of chips for fun.  I owned tools whose only purpose was to help flip the itty bitty switches on hard drives.  I knew which jumper to use to by-pass the password controls.  I couldn't imagine buying an 'off the shelf' model    -     like a Mac.

    Flash forward these many years and I now buy my computers 'off the virtual shelf', I haven't actually opened the case of my computer in over a year (and that was just to blow it out) and...I've....well, I've....I've been......OKAY!  I'll just say it!  I've been visiting the Apple Store - and I LIKE IT!

    From the 27" iMacs to shiny iPads to the tiny little shuffles - I love them all! 

    If you have an iPhone or iTouch or some other variation, you understand what I mean.  It's like children - if you don't have one you can't understand how connected to and fond of them you can be, and you can't understand how their faults don't matter - you love them anyway!

    It was a slow process.  My gateway drug - I mean device - was a little 256 MB iPod shuffle.  Adorable and easy to carry, it seemed so innocent and harmless. 

    ...and iTunes made it easy to build different playlists and swap them out whenever I wanted to.  But soon....it wasn't enough.  I needed more.  A 1 GB iPod shuffle soon followed and before you know it I was carrying 2 shufffles around - to have easier access to more music - to have my regular music and my Christmas music with me at the same time - but then my classical had to be left behind.....  From there it escalated....

    Soon I had a 32 GB iTouch - and the music library to go with it.  FM transmitters in both cars so I wouldn't have to be without my music while driving.  And the portable wireless access....lying in bed and checking my email.  Sitting at Panera Bread and updating my Facebook status.  But what about those precious moments spent standing in line at the grocery store when I couldn't browse Amazon.com or check the weather report?  Not everywhere has WiFi!  So now I have an iPhone (2 actually, but one is for work). 

    I can check my email whenever I want!  I can text while listening to my music!  I can play Angry Birds and Fruit Ninja!  (you just don't understand!)

    And you know what?  Those 27" iMacs - they are looking sweeter and sweeter.....

    I think I've been iPodded.

     

     

About Me

  • You know that eccentric member of a family? That weird lady in the neighborhood? The kinda nice but definitely odd one? -- That's me!

Quotes

Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.

- Benjamin Franklin

Be true to your heart.  That's when the heavens will part and show the world what you believe in.

- Be True to Your Heart - Mulan Soundtrack

 

Sun_n_Shadows

Pulse

Chatboard (6)

  • Sun_n_Shadows
    Maybe we are just the red light district of the universe. Those loose humans!
  • Lysfriday
    uhhh duh
  • Sun_n_Shadows
    Are we actually so interesting that aliens would come here just to hang out on the fringes like the wallflowers at a junior high school dance?
  • Lysfriday
    Yes, well no. They sit in space in their space ships (cloaked naturally) and watch american soap operas, and send us the same ideas.
  • ypldewdrop
    We used to. Now we just hover in the outer orbit looking for free wi-fi connections powerful enough.
  • Sun_n_Shadows
    Do aliens visit Earth?

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