Technology Blues

Two things have happened in the past couple of weeks that have just ticked me off.

First, Aly put her cell phone number in on some website and they've been charging our cell phone bill. Mike called Sprint and put a stop to that by blocking those sites. Apparently that block also deactivates the short codes (like 40404 instead of a full phone number) that I use for Twitter updates. That's right. I can't tweet from my cell phone anymore. UGH!

Then, Mike went and bought me a new iPod cord so I could sync my Touch with iTunes. The original cord is safely packed away in some box we'll never open again. Once synched, several apps were no longer compatible and were deleted. Apps like Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. The whole REASON for having an iPod Touch (well, beside that music and video stuff). So I needed to update the operating system. And Apple charges for it. Now, it is only $4.95, so no big deal, but really, isn't it odd that they would charge for a firmware update?! So, I pay the five bucks and upgrade. Now when I plug the iPod into the charger or my boom box, it doesn't work. It won't charge. It won't play through the speakers.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?!

Well, it seems that Apple put code in the latest O/S that PREVENTS the iPod Touch (or the iPhone) from working with third party peripherals. Even the ones that have the Apple seal of approval (the box says "made for iPod" ... I think the third party vendor PAYS Apple to have that on the box). So now, unless I buy Apple branded (and more expensive) crap, I have no speakers, no charger, no car charger, no AV cord. I'm ticked. TICKED, I tell you.

My options:
(1) suck it up and buy Apple brand crap. Not gonna happen.
(2) restore to the previous O/S. But I won't have the apps I use all the time. Then I might as well have the regular old iPod to plug into my speakers.
(3) hack the damn thing. There are apps that you can download that allow you to "jailbreak" the iPod. This allows third party peripherals (and apps) to work. Supposedly, if you have a problem, you can just restore back to normal. I'm not sure I've got the guts to do it.

So, I guess option #4 is what I've chosen to do. Whine.

That's a new one...

You know I have regular travel adventures, but this is a new one.

I had to go to DC Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

I made it from my house to the Evansville airport (17.4 miles), checked in at the kiosk and made it through security in 32 minutes. That was a good start to the morning.

On the way home, I paid the $50 change fee and got in at 4:15pm instead of 9:58pm.

I then dropped my keys.
In the airport.
In the bathroom.
In the toilet.

Then into 2.7 oz of hand sanitizer.
Ewww.

Recovered

I think.
It has been a CRAZY week for all of us, but especially me because I thought I was dying. I keep blaming Chinese food (actually, sushi) but I'm starting to think I had the flu.

It started last Tuesday when I had some chills and just didn't feel right. I thought maybe the change in the weather (first sweatshirt of the season!) was it, but I didn't feel so hot the next afternoon either. I didn't eat dinner with the family because my tummy was a bit upset, but had some Raisin Bran later. Mistake.

In the midst of my fave show, Ghost Hunters, the barfing began. Aly helped me as long as she could, but soon Mom had to come over to help. I think she held by hand till 1am or so.

I felt a lot better the next day, but it took a good 48 hrs or so before I really felt ok. Mike plied me with Sonic fruit slushes and asked 72 times if there was anything he could do or get for me. I love that guy.

By Saturday morning I was well enough to go hang out at Mom's yard sale for a few hours and made $47. Then I bought $30 of stuff from my relatives. The kids hung with Mom Saturday night. When I went to get them Sunday, Zak was covered in a bright red rash, even on the palms of his hands. A search on WebMD helped me to diagnose mono. Apparently, mono is often misdiagnosed as strep. When you have mono and take antibiotics, you get a rash. Yep. It's mono. Poor kid.

But, I'm definitely okay now, as evidenced by the pork chops and shells & cheese I devoured at Mom's tonight. Now I think I need a vacation. :)

Weekend Update

Seems like I'm only posting on the weekends. Here's what's been happening with us.

I didn't make it to the football game Friday, but listened on the way home from the airport. It seems that my Friday evenings have been set aside for catching up on my shows from the week and cleaning off the DVR: Dancing With the Stars, Flash Forward, Ghost Hunters and Destination Truth.

I've found a new cure for headaches. Sitting on the deck watching baby ducks on the lake. Aly was supposed to have a slumber party, but most girls had other things to do, so only one friend stayed over. I had Mom over and we all ate pizza and played games. Mad Gab is a hoot, and watching the girls play Upwords was educational. Aly changed corn to porno. That's my girl.

Sunday, we made a trip to urgent care. The boy has strep. The doc literally looked for three seconds at his throat and prescribed antibiotics. I hope he feels better soon; he really is miserable.

The Lions won today. Cue the apocolypse.

A weekend with family

A bonus about being in Boonville is getting to hang out with family.

Saturday was my cousin's first anniversary, so we had a double date night. Dinner at Max & Erma's, a few hours at the boat (I won on nickel slots), and then drinks and dancing at Fast Eddie's till they closed. Apparently, I'm not too old to have some fun.

Sunday, we took Aly to the mall to meet some friends and did a little shopping of our own. It was such a different weekend than we used to have in Virginia.

Arrrrr! Happy Saturd'y t' ye!

It's International Talk Like a Pirate Day! May ye plunder some booty t'day.
And if yer wantin' t' talk like me, try the Pirate Speak Translator.

Another delayed flight

Good thing I convinced the AMEX travel agent that the 5pm flight was important to me.
I'm 45 minutes late, but the 7pm flight to Atlanta is canceled. At least I'm learning something from all this travel.