A View Into Joe’s World

Ok it’s been awhile so I’ll go with some Random Thoughts Action:

1) First, we are officially in Countdown mode as our Vacation is approaching quickly!  For those tracking we were headed to Naples, FL up to about a month ago when we did a 180 and decided to just spend a solid few days in Panama City Beach.  We really wanted to have Scout around this time and since she’s still a little skiddish about the water/ocean we weren’t sure that a long trip to Naples would be worth the hassle.  So, we are opting for Panama City Beach since it’s a lot closer.  Also, we were able to book a condo that has a large kid friendly pool area (i.e. shallow water, fountains, etc.).  Also, we are going to have my Mom and Michael join us in order to help out with Scout.  We had it lined up for them to go with us to Naples as well, but really this will make it easier on them as well with less distance to travel.  We will definitely hit Naples again in the future…probably next summer.

2) My folks came for a visit last weekend.  It was a good visit and Scout got to play with Grandma and PopPop.  I think Scout pretty much wore them both out.

3) I bought Jennifer a laptop of her own this week.  She’s getting the newest version of the 15″ MacBook Pro that was announced this past Monday.  It should arrive the middle of next week.  I am enjoying my 17″ version…no problems and zero complaints.  The damn thing is “as advertised” which is a super rarity these days.

4) Speaking of Apple products, Jenn and I were seriously considering getting the newest iPhone just announced that is hitting stores next Friday.  However, after hearing that MMS and tethering will not be available through AT&T (which is the exclusive provider for iPhone at this point) upon launch really put a large hole in our plans to purchase the phones and join the iPhone craze.  We will probably wait until MMS and tether is up and running and then re-evaluate the market at that time…after all iPhone is not going to be available only through AT&T forever…I HOPE!!!…we currently use Verizon and have ZERO problems!

5) Finally got Jennifer into the facebook craze!  She’ll really be in to it when her laptop arrives.  I’m also pushing for her to get a better phone that will make it easier for her to interact in the internet social media realm (UPDATE: just bought Jenn an LG enV3 to replace her current one - very good looking phone).  Maybe I’ll be able to convince her to join the twitter masses next!

6) Speaking of the internet, social media, etc…Facebook and twitter are really cool tools.  They help you stay connected to friends and family.  It’s pretty damn cool to be able to snap a photo and be able to post it to facebook within seconds for friends and family to view at will.  You can also post video with just as much ease.  Amazing stuff!

7) So, that’s about it for now.  We will spend most of this weekend getting all our crap together for the trip.  We’ve never done the condo gig before so the prep is a little different for us…few more things to think about compared to staying at a hotel.  If your tracking, we will likely post a good deal of updates, photos, video, etc. to facebook while on vacation.  Enjoy!

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Jenn and I took Scout to a Park in Columbus today.  The playground was meant for kids 5-12 yrs old, but that didn’t stop Scout from giving it a go.  The kid loves to climb. Age limits be damned!!!

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Let me paint you a picture:  Jenn and I are sitting here in the bed.  Me on one side while I type out this post on my new Macbook Pro and Jenn on the other side whirling away on her iTouch.  Hilarious right?  I got most of the early wireless issues resolved a little while ago so it’s pretty much game on now.  Anyway, I’m struggling with this picture we got going now.  It’s like internet, online music, etc. is our own personal crack cocaine now, but we’ve already smoked too much and there’s really no going back.  It will instead likely get worse LOL  Really this whole ball got rolling when Scout was born.  I wanted a webpage to blog new stuff about Scout and maybe post some pictures from time to time.  It was an effort by me to keep friends and family up to date without having to make a bazillion phone calls and send a bazillion more photos via regular mail.  It’s been partly successful.  Anyway, then Jenn made it an endeavor for the new year to get more involved computer wise and begin to learn more in that regard.  I got her an iTouch for Christmas and she’s been using it mainly to download music she listens to while working out.  Next, I decided I wanted a laptop and got impatient waiting on the release of Windows7 while stringing my junker desktop pc along in the process.  I finally decided to buy a Mac and be done with it for now.  Jenn will likely follow suit soon.  I’m guessing another Macbook will be in-house soon.

The big picture now is this:  soon our daughter is going to be immersed in all this new technology. We both feel pretty strongly that it will serve her and us better if we know as much as possible about what is out there at any given moment.  Internet access by phone, text messaging, laptops, iTouch, iPhone, twitter, facebook, flickr, pandora, gmail, google talk, and on, and on. It’s never ending and a big challenge for us as the younger generation has the benefit of never knowing anything different.  My parents bought me a computer pretty much right after Microsoft hit it big time.  I was lucky as I guess I showed some interest way back then and my parents thought it important enough to give me that head start.  However, everything moves so quick now and crap becomes obsolete or yesterdays fad in a matter of a heartbeat.  I remember 2 years ago everybody couldn’t talk enough about MySpace.  Now you don’t hear jack crap about MySpace.  It’s pretty much all facebook and twitter with regards to social networking at the moment.  MySpace looks dead in the water.  This move and shift quickly, but were in the game for the long haul and hopefully Scout will benefit from it.   Also, Jenn & I can have a little fun with all this new crap in the process and at least everyone reading this will have almost complete access to our lives.  You can find us here on this blog, via twitter, via facebook, and pictures via flickr.  I’m sure many other new things we’ll be just around the corner as it’s an amazing time.  Enjoy it!

Now excuse me while Jenn & I go back to enjoying Pandora, surfing the web, etc. from the comfort of our own bed.

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So, I got my Mac yesterday!  Excellent Machine!  I’m writing this post via the new machine from my office desk.  Haven’t quite got the network deal finalized on the homefront (still working on printer, speakers, etc. via wireless) but should sort it out this weekend.  This is my first laptop, but I already love it!  Super slick design with a nice 17″ screen.  I have no idea why I waited so long to get one.  I plan to get pics and video apps a run for their money this weekend….stay tuned

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So, the big news for me right now is that I just ordered my first Mac.  My current desktop pc has been giving me all kinds of problems beginning back last November.  I was trying to ride it out until the Windows7 release and then buy a new laptop, but I just lost my patience with my current situation.  The problems with my pc just kept multiplying and taking longer to resolve.  Also, I’ve been wanting to buy a laptop for the last couple of years.  With this in mind, I went with a MacBook Pro 17″.  I’ll finally have my laptop and also the challenge of learning the nuances of an Apple machine.  Should get it within a  week  or so

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