Friday, December 28, 2012

Smile! You need to look your best for 2013!

Counting today, there are four more days left of 2012.  With the new year, brings resolutions of dieting, learning a new language, being more organized, staying in touch with relatives and cleaning a car more than once a year (trust me - I've heard it all)! Psychotherapist William Anderson, writer for the Huffington Post, explains that instead of creating resolutions we should make written goals.  The simple act of writing down what we have to achieve will make it easier to make it possible.

While I do not have any resolut - I mean, goals - for 2013, I do have one big accomplishment I want to complete before the new year comes around:  have a good time as the clock is counting down! There are so many things I can do: go to a house party, watch the fireworks at an amusement park, take in the atmosphere on a boat party or even go to a club or a bar. No matter what I decide to do, I know that I am going to need to take as many pictures as I can! Enter in the dual charger.

There is nothing worse than going to a party and taking pictures just to have your camera battery die!  That has happened to me on many occasions!  Therefore, I decided to buy another battery. The dual charger will come in handy, because when one battery dies it can be charged immediately, while I still take photos with the other battery. I know for sure that this New Year's Eve, I will be able to take as many pictures as I want!

Whether you want to call it goals, resolutions or visions for the future, just be sure you go out with a bang in preparation for the upcoming battle. Who knows, those pictures you take can give you inspiration to achieve those goals in the new year!

Friday, December 21, 2012

The Last Day of the World - Bring Your Gadgets!

Believe it or not, but the end of the world occurred and we are still here! The ancient Mayans produced a 5,125-year calendar which signaled December 21st 2012 being the day that life would cease on Earth. People have been talking about it all year, "doomsday" merchandise has been produced and parties have been made in preparation for this grand occasion.

As this event happens only once in a lifetime, I wanted to see how other people were preparing for it. I asked my cousin what's the one thing she would take for the ending of the world.  She said she wanted to bring her tablet, because she does not want to be bored. 

My first thought was "what a great idea! I wouldn't want to be bored for the end of the world either."  Therefore, I suggested that my cousin get a Rugged Hard Shell Case for her tablet.

She was ecstatic by my suggestion!  Now she could protect her tablet without the fear that it would get trampled during the stampede to survive!

Granted, the world can still be ending today. It is only in the afternoon Pacific Standard Time. I need to make sure I bring my PS3 for when it does happen. I don't want to be the only one without something fun to play with!

Friday, December 14, 2012

Making your Smartphone (handler) more Intelligent

Believe it or not, I am NOT in the minority of people who do not own a technologically-advanced phone. According to a CBS News article from October 2012, about 1 billion people in the world have smartphones. This means that those other 85% are just like me. So all of those people who think I'm living in the past by not having a smartphone, you are wrong! You all are just too advanced for the rest of us!

This topic is being brought up as I heard a rumor - then I looked it up on Google, of course, so now it must be a fact! - that Apple will be releasing its iPhone 5S in summer 2013. Yes, you read that right! The same Apple that launched the iPhone 5 on Friday, Sept. 21, 2012, in the US and eight other countries selling more than 100 million phones in three days!   Apple lovers all over the world are excited as one bit of gossip is that a dual-Sim may be a new feature. But only time will tell.

My friend, one of the people harassing me about "getting my phone an education", recently upgraded to an iPhone 5. He tells me about all the apps, features, how much time it saves him, etc. He swears that he is more capable because of his phone. I really don't buy into this hype, but I decided to see it in action firsthand.

We go skiing and he takes his phone on the slopes. When he falls, his iPhone 5 falls with him - out of his pocket and into the snow. Naturally, he didn't realize this until about 2 or 3 hours later! His phone was so cold that the screen froze and his iPhone 5 was never the same again.

Seeing that I don't have a smartphone, who would think that I would be wise enough to suggest such a simple a solution: a weather-resistant case for a cell phone. This case is pretty impressive as it has a durable locking system: seal the two ziplocks, roll down the top and then close with the velcro. It protects your phone from dirt, smudges, stains and - for my friend - even snow!

Though there are many people who do have phones with fancy features, most people do not.  Think of all the remote areas in places like Canada, US and Australia that cannot even pick up reception.  Also, you have certain developing countries that do not even cater for that kind of technology.

But really, the moral of the story is this: it doesn't matter how "smart" your phone is. The phone is only as smart as the person operating it!

Friday, December 7, 2012

What do The Hobbit and Santa Claus have in common?

It seems like award-winning director Peter Jackson will end the year on a high note. The Hobbit, his highly-awaited prequel to Lord of the Rings, opens in US cinemas on Friday, December 14th. Many critics expect it to shatter box office records on opening weekend. In addition, Jackson shot this film - as well as the two sequels to The Hobbit - in 48 frames per second (the normal frame rate is 24). According to HuffPost Entertainment, Warner Bros. is planning a limited release to showcase this innovation.  Who knows - it may become the industry standard. Wouldn't that be a great line to add to your resume?!

Enter in Santa Claus. Mr. Claus' arrival is another greatly anticipated event for most children on December 25th. He will be going from house to house rewarding those kids who have been good all year and letting the bad ones know they have to change their ways. Right now, Little Joey should have already finalized his list and sent his letter out.  For those who did not mail their list, have no fear: you can always tell Santa Claus what you want in person! He can be seen at your local mall on the weekends waiting for you to sit on his lap to hear your every wish.  Just be sure to use the bathroom before you take a seat.

So to recap, we have two important events occuring this month: the release The Hobbit and Santa Claus "coming to town". You can prepare for each by going to parties, having a discussion or simply watching DVDs!  The Lord of the Rings triology is a must-see for any die-hard fan before watching The Hobbit. Then you have the multitude of Christmas-themed movies that can be viewed; take your pick: A Christmas Story, Santa Clause, I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, Jingle All The Way, Elf, Bad Santa (hey, it still has 'Santa' in the title), etc.

If you choose to watch the movies on a laptop or desktop, you can prepare by having these accessories on hand: a USB-powered light (believe it or not, a bit of light comes in handy at some points); a USB-powered clip-on speaker (maximize your sound); and a wireless mouse (easily fast-forward or rewind a scene without having to go right up to the computer).  It'll be a great time you can have during this holiday season with your family and friends.

If all goes according to plan, it seems like this month will end well for everyone: Bilbo Baggins would have gained experience and wisdom on his journey, Santa Claus would have gotten away from the North Pole for a while, you would have succeeded in watching The Hobbit and receiving gifts from Santa Claus (if you are child) or giving gifts as Santa Claus (if you are an adult), AND I may have given Peter Jackson an idea from his next film. My agent will be awaiting your call, Peter.