Apps & Things

Using my HTC Wildfire S Android phone and of course the MikePad. So that means I am using a lot of apps. Here's what I have been doing: Instagram: Don't really get the fuss.Other than FB bought it for a billion dollars. I guess it is a neat way to share pictures and edit quickly. Snapseed: I love this. Another photo app. Easier to edit than Instagram in my opinion. More options. The pic in this post was done with this app. G+: Google Plus app- G+ is really wide open. I love the live Hangouts. Posts to your You Tube account when finished Sun-Times E-Paper app: I like to read the paper in the morning on the train into the office. I had a subscription to the Wall Street Journal paper, but that ran out and to renew @ full price was more than I wanted to spend. I decided to try the Sun-Times E-paper and I love it. It is available 15 mins before I leave and only takes about 5 minutes to download. TuneIn: Great radio app. NOAA, Police Scanner type stuff,college & commercial radio. Skype: Have it on the MikePad. I have had a Skype account for a couple of years, I am not usually on-line with it on my PC, however, I had it online on the MikePad and some woman from a foreign country called me and told me she was looking for "honest, caring, kind man" I told her she got the wrong guy as I am a liar, self-centered misogynistic, mean guy.

Goofy Trend in South Korea

I read about this trend in South Korea to buy popstars lunch. Crazy huh? Instead of buying stuffed animals, candy or hookers, fans are presenting their idols with lunch in elaborate boxes. So if a vendor takes me to lunch is it cuz they care? Hell no, it's cuz they want to relieve me of my firm's money.

Can I see myself buying lunch for my idol (Midol?)Gale Gordon, if he was still with us. Nope. Sofia Vergara? Well, OK now I get it. As long as I am the main course.

Recent books I've read/reading

http://www.amazon.com/Steve-Jobs-Walter-Isaacson/dp/1451648537


Fair and Balanced book about a marketing genius.

Reading Now:

http://www.amazon.com/Plex-Google-Thinks-Works-Shapes/dp/1416596585/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1329270844&sr=1-1

Kinda geeky, works for me.

Coming soon, Paula Dene is dangerous!

The MikePad

The firm I work for issued iPads to all employees this month. I've had a few weeks to play with it and I have to say it is a brilliant piece of technology. Note, the person using it is not brilliant but the gadget itself is. It is the 3rd greatest waste of time ever know to Man. The first of course is Facebook, the 2nd is being married to Jennifer Lopez.

I like the always on email, as I walk through the office, I am constantly hearing "the email ping" notification. Some apps I am using:

MS OneNote:I take notes in meetings and then this synch with my Hotmail account. I can also email the notes to myself @work and then print out.

Hotmailbuzzr: Hotmail app

Arrivals: I can see which CTA L train I'm not taking to see a cool show on the North side...

PhotoBooth: Oh gawd, whenever I need to express a psychotic mood, and that is fairly frequent these daze,this picture effect app seems to get the job done nicely.

Things I would like to do with MikePad in the future:

Access our Intranet. I hate hauling my laptop home when I am off to approve orders.

Handwrite notes: I am using an app called My Script Memo with a stylus, but it makes my already bad writing look worse.

Convince Heidi Klum that she needs me. I can be delusional can't I?

Google +

I have been on G+ since September. I have not really done much with it, no time really until I had almost 2 weeks off around the Holidays. Since I joined, there seems to be an signifgant increase in people who have also joined.

Here are things I like:

1) I like the "Hangouts" Videochat with muliple users.
2) Drag/drop pics right into +
3) Cleaner page than Facebook.
4) Circles: Friends, etc. It is easier to control who sees what you post.
5) Newness. In a way, I feel like I'm in on the ground floor.

Things I don't like:

1) Not enough people I really know on G+. Yet..
2) Kinda techie. That I like, but with so many VCRs that had "12:00" flashing for years you wonder if this is too complicated to attract the masses.
3) Lack of Buzz. (Eww, not Google Buzz) but the buzz of the everyday people talking about + and the things they are doing on it, like FB

As I get the hang of +, I'll blog some more about it.

Next up: Video blog

New Year's Revolutions:

1) I resolve not to be flatulent. I mean totally not flatulent.
2) I will stop yelling @ the TV when American Pickers comes on for ripping off old guys
3) I will be proactive. In regards to what, not sure that's for next year.
4) I will stop saying, "Oh, I think I went to high school with that person" when I hear names like Pearle Vision, Morton Grove, Gale Warning (Wasn't she an actress in the '50's?)Chrystal Head Vodka
5) Remind myself that just cuz I like to eat Chinese food doesn't mean I have to like their politics
6) I will stop being dumb with my smart phone and actually learn how to use it.

When A Dumb guy gets a smartphone:

I bought a HTC Wildfire S Android Smart phone last month. I really like it. I had been using Trac Fones since 2007. A promotion @work caused me to send/receive more texts/calls. IT has taken me awhile to get used to the touch screen. I don't know how many times I have called someone by mistake. Putty wacky pictures for some of my contacts have made me laugh so much I have missed answering the call. I have had to learn how to manage the internal space on the phone because it seems if the storage falls below 30MB (out of 150MB) then the phone can't take updates. It is a non contract phone so I pay by credit card. I had thought that it would be automatic, but to my befuddlement I got a text on my date end that said "$VMU$ What the hell does that mean? Basically it was the phone co inviting me to pay another payment. I let it lapse because I assumed (I no, ass of u and me, particularly me) they would take the easy way out and deduct it from my credit card that they have on file.At least they did not try to charge me $2 like Verizon for the privilege of paying my bill.

Some apps I am using:

Google Voice: I love this piece of technology. You can send and receive texts via the web, visual voicemail. It integrates well with my phone.
Facebook: Now I can keep the world informed of my comings and goings and each shallow thought that pops into my head. (I should probably find an app to inform the world about my deep thoughts. When I have one, I'll let you know)
Scanner Radio: Listening to public safety communications from across the world.
TuneIN Radio: Public Safety and AM/FM/Internet Radio from all over the world.
Rail Hopper: Being a commuter in the Chicago Area it is nice to have all Metra schedules @my finger tips.
Memo Pad: A quick way to jot a short reminder.
Calculator: When I need to see how inadequate my tip is.....

Last update of 2011

Lot of reading recently:

No Ordinary Time: FDR & Eleanor Roosevelt-Dolores Kearns Goodwin
Desilu: The Story Of Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz-Coyne Steven Sanders (Not Col. Sanders)
FDR's Deadly Secret: Steven Lomazow

Listening to:

Rainbow: Difficult To Cure & Down To Earth
9" Nails (Not to be confused with my old band 9" Males: Further Down The Spiral
Whitesnake (Another old band of mine, "Mikesnake")Forevermore
David Lee Roth: Eat Em & Smile
Beach Boys: SMiLE Sessions 2CD set
Blur: Leisure

More updates to come in 2012!

Music Video

Here is a video I made for the song (If that is what you want to call it)
by The Clean
Too much beer, too much time on my hands and too much processing power.

Vid

Happy November MikePod Update

And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead: "Madonna"
Belles & Sebastian: "If You're Feeling Sinsister"
Dio: "Holy Diver" (RIP Ronnie!)
Let's Active: "Big Plasn For Everybody"
Marshall Crenshaw: "Downtown"
Morrissey: "Ringleader Of The Tormentors"
Ultra Vivid Scene" Ultra Vivid Scene"

Read another book
http://www.amazon.com/True-Compass-Edward-M-Kennedy/dp/0446539252/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1288660975&sr=8-1

Interesting autobio, would have liked to have seen ole Ted be more open about his personal issues.

MikePod Update

The Pursuit Of Happiness: "Downward Road" & "One Sided Story"
Raconteurs: "Broken Boy Soldiers"
U2: "Achtung Baby"
Van Halen: "1984"
Robert Plant: "Manic Nirvana" & "Shaken & Stirred"
Stones Roses: "Stone Roses"
Game Theory: "Tinkers To Evers To Chance" (Compilation)

Vampire Trend Has Got To Go

When you see vampire Barbies, you know the vampire trend has overstayed it's welcome.
When you start seeing the movie parodies, that's another indication. Thanks Donna!

MikePod:

Sonny Boy Williamson: "Down & Out"
John Lee Hooker: "Don't Look Back"
Pearl Jam: "Vs"
UB40: "Labour Of Love"
Led Zeppelin: "I", "In Through The Out Door"
Tears For Fears: "Songs From The Big Chair"
Muddy Waters: "Fathers & Sons"
Smashing Pumpkins: "Melancholy.. Disc 1"
Howling Wolf: "London Sessions"
Robert Plant: "Pictures @ 11"
Urge Overkill: "Exit The Dragon" & "Saturation"

Mike's books-The Red Stripe Ambassador Posts

Hello I am the Red Stripe Ambassador. I met Michael @ the Kane County Coguars game on 8/4. He asked me to tell you what books he has read recently. I asked him to post my new video. I think if I am ever assasinated, Mike would male a great ambassador. Or is that amassador?

Latest books read by Mike

The Toilet That Swallowed Mel Gibson's Career

Hi I am the toilet that ate Mel Gibson's career. You have probably never heard commentary from a toilet. Usually, stuff comes in @ me, not from me. I am using Mike's blog as a cautionary tale for you humans to avoid putting your collective feet in your mouths. I offer this advice as someone who sees your worst end.(Somewhere, Wilford Brimley's toilet is laughing. Or puking).

MikePod:
Beatles: "Past Masters" Remastered. Great sound
Smashing Pumpkins: "Siamese Dream"
Smithereens: "Green Thoughts"
U2: "Joshua Tree" Disc one reissue

Mike has been reading the following books this summer:

Lightnin Hopkins, His Life & Blues, I Am Ozzy, Appetite for America (Story of the Fred Harvey Co) and Led Zeppelin: When Giants Walked The Earth.

Free Lindsay Lohan!

Free Lindsay:


We here @ The Committee to Terminate The Incarceration of Lindsay Lohan advocate the immediate and unconditional release of Lindsay Lohan. We advocate this for several reasons:


1) Economic: We are concerned that with Ms Lohan in jail, the US economy will take a dive. The hair weave business alone could go belly up. Also, the fashion industry will be impacted. No one ever looked good on the red carpet in an orange jump suit. We concede some of the economic loss may be offset by the sale of "Free Lindsay" T-Shirts.

2) Social: Who is the media going to hound with her out of the mugshot, I mean picture? Mel Gibson may be catching the first boat to Down Under, "The Hills" is no more. Oh well, there is the Jersey Shore cast.

3) Political: The Tea Party movement is sure to seize on this to legitimize their existence. She could be a martyr for their cause. (And look good doing it)This is exactly what Al-Qaeda wants.

4) Foreign Policy: Amnesty International is sure to jump all over us for jailing a woman who is prettier than the presiding judge. If the attractive are no actually having to go to jail, what does this mean for the non-attractive? The guys from Jack Ass better beware. The pressure on the British to jail Naomi Campbell could jeopardize the NATO alliance.

MikePod:
Soundgarden: "Down On the Upside"
Ultra Vivid Scene: "Joy 1967-1990"
Teenage Fan Club: "Songs From Northern Britain"
Throwing Muses: "University"
XTC: "Skylarking"

Coming soon: 2 book reports

Celebrity Update-Kim Kardashian's Butt

Hi I'm Kim Kardashian's butt. Not Kim, but her booty. You may wonder why I am using this lowly blog. It is because I am hungry. Hungry for attention! Why can't ESPN or E! or Bravo do a one hour special on me? Did you know that in some 3rd world countries, I am used as a substitute for the gold standard? Or that I can influence the stock market simply by having my right cheek point up or down. I almost had a historic peace agreement between the Palestinians and Israelis until Madeline Albright's booty butted in. (I am being generous by calling that a booty instead of what it really is a, battleship). Here are some things I am not: A role model or educated. Although I am well rounded. Well gotta go. Somewhere someone wants to make a pilgrimage to me like a healing visit to the Lourdes Shrine. Here's the MikePod:

Cracker: "Cracker"
Lightning Hopkins: "Complete Alladin Recordings"
Snow Patrol: "Eyes Open"
Steve Miller Band: "Complete Greatest Hits"
Ultra Vivid Scene: "Rev"

MikePod Update/Coming Soon: Celebrity Updates

Because I am very busy lately, I am going to again have various celebrities update this blog for the rest of the summer. Until then, here's another MikePod update:

Black Sabbath: "Technical Ecstacy"
Doors: Best Of
Rolling Stones: "It's Only Rock N Roll"
Smithereens: "Especially For You"
Charlatans: "Between 10th & 11th"
Jesus & Mary Chain: "Automatic"
John Lee Hooker: Best Of
Smashing Pumpkins: "Gish"
Smiths: "Louder Than Bombs"

More books, more songs

Finished 4 books recently

MikePod:
Black Sabbath: "Black Sabbath"
John Coltrane: "A Love Supreme"
RL Burnside: "No Monkeys on This Train" (Has some great spoken word humor too!)
Smiths: "Strangeways Here We Come"
Stooges: "Raw Power"
Sugar: "Copper Blue"
Black Keys: "Attack & Release"
Deep Purple: "Burn"
English Beat: "Beat This" (GH)
Rolling Stones: "Exile On Main Street"

Things I am not listenting to on the MikePod

The Touch Of Leonard Nimoy

Mrs. Miller's Greatest hits (That's greatest hits, not tits.) I actually own this, worst album I own.
Sebastian Cabot "Mr. French, you suck! I'm gonna tell uncle Beeel!"
William (Will-I-Am Shatner?) Shatner: "The Transformed Man"

Here's what I am listening to:
David Coverdale: "Whitesnake" 1st solo LP
Jeff Beck: "Truth"
Mission UK: "1st Chapter" I saw these guys in 1988
Nine Inch Nails: "Downward Spiral"
Who: "Quadrophenia"
Nirvana: "Live @ Reading"
Ray Charles: "Ray!" OST
Meat Puppets: "Too High To Die"
Robert Cray: "Strong Persuader"
Manic Street Preachers: "Stay Beautiful"
Sisters Of Mercy: "First And Last and Always"

Things I'm Not Reading

I post things I read all the time. I thought to be different, I would post things I am not reading:

Suzanne Sommers: Touch Me. Don't get to excited. From the woman who brought you the ThighMaster (I might open a chicken restaurant with that name, serving only thighs) and She's The Sheriff, here is a penetrating look @ the soul of a woman who makes Bo Derek look like Einstein.

Mr. T: The Man With The Gold Since he can remove my ass @ will, I will only describe my encounter with him in the early '90s. I was walking back from Rose Records in Chicago (memba record stores?) and coming up Adams I saw a Red Rolls Royce convertible with the plate of "Mr. T" Sure enough @ a stoplight I look over and it is him. I'd know that haircut anywhere.
Lots of people were screaming and yelling @ him. He waved and then he drove off.

Alright, I've bored you enough now, here's the MikePod:

Muddy Waters: "I'm Ready"
Alcatrazz: Disturbing The Peace"
Beatles: "Revolver" UK Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab Stereo
Mother Love Bone: "Apple"
Chuck Berry: "Golden Hits"
Foreigner: "Records" I have to stop here. What a cheap compilation this is. 10 songs, 9 of which were edited down. 1 lousy unreleased version of "Hot Blodded"
Jeff Beck: There And Back (If he had a sense of humor, he'd call it There and Beck!
Nine Inch Nails: THe Slip"