Friday, October 21, 2011

Recent Technology

Chad just submitted his first essay to his college class. He was required to email it to the teacher. The teacher liked it but the issue was with its format. The teacher wanted it in a format we do not have on our computer. I could not help thinking that if Chad was to type it out (double-spaced, of course) on paper and submit it, there would be no problem. Instead, we had to buy some hardware to meet the needs of the teacher. Sometimes, technology can be a nuisance (and, more often than we realize, I'm thinking). On the flip side, I was the one who walked into the office supply store and asked for help to buy the flash drive we needed. I'm proud of myself for remembering what to ask for, even if I had no idea where it was or what it looked like. I am techless and don't mind asking for help. I even got a storage card for my new phone-camera. Aren't you impressed?

Todd has been hankering to buy a larger TV than we've been watching for the duration of our marriage (23+ years). When we married, I contributed my 13" that I bought with the insurance money I received after a burglar broke into my home and stole my brand new TV (before I ever met Todd). That really ticked me off, I had bought that first TV on a Wednesday and we (my sister and I) were robbed a few days later. At least I got compensated the full purchase price! Anyway, I have always been happy with a 13" TV. Todd put up with it as long as he could stand, until last weekend. He found a 26" screen TV on sale and I reluctantly agreed. It's way too big for me but I guess it's my turn to be tolerant. I have never liked the big screen, either in theatres or in private homes. We have distant friends whose TV is practically life-sized. Makes me uncomfortable to have basketball players standing right next to me on the screen. I suppose the smaller screen seems more intimate to me but Todd is happy which makes me happy.

Chad recently bought a DVD with a huge collection of old Sherlock Holmes movies and TV shows. They date back to the 1930's and 40's. Basil Rathbone (from the 40's) is amazing to watch. Face it ... when we think of Sherlock Holmes, it's his face we picture. My opinion, anyway!

After about 1-1/2 weeks of nice walking weather, we are back to rain and wind. So goes October. I just read it's supposed to be wetter than usual in the Pacific Northwest this winter. I'd like to know what they mean by "usual"?

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Boots

Fall is here. Rain. Wind. Cold mornings and evenings. Sigh.

On the flip side, I find I am tired of my summer clothes anyway but nothing looks cozy enough to wear right now. Not a dilemma or anything, just an observation. Which brings me to the subject of boots.

They are EVERYWHERE! At the college, girls are wearing rubber boots with pants tucked in. In town, it's a free-for-all. Minis with tights, jeans with furry boots, long hippy skirts with cowboy boots. Then there are the women who really shouldn't be wearing boots (for one reason or another). They wear them with short skirts, with or without leg coverings. Our town has a shortage of boot-worthy women and it's hard not to pass judgment on the rest of the female population. On the other hand, more power to them for wearing boots because they want to, brave souls.

I like boots. I have two pair. Make that three, if you count the short black boots I've been wearing for most of Carmen's life. Fortunately, they are still in style. My husband wants me to get, oh, perhaps five more. He keeps looking online and in catalogs for me. I imagine one of these days I'll get a pair with fur lining for the warmth but not the stiletto heel. And I should probably get a pair before I stop feeling brave enough to be boot-worthy.