Welcome! If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed so you won't miss the Blarties (=blog+party) on the weekends. To find out more about our Blarties check out this post, too. Looking forward to seeing you on the weekends!

Sponsored Post

I’m finally going to take the plunge and allow myself to be a Baby Boomer tethered to a mobile electronic device. This week I’m anxiously awaiting the arrival of my new Blackberry Curve. I suppose I can now consider myself a part of the “in crowd’? Ya think?

***For the record, the Blackberry Curve 8320 to the left there is with T-Mobile service. Mine is a Blackberry Curve 8330 from Sprint.***

I’ve had good reason to resist tethering myself for the past several years considering I live in an area right on the edge of almost all mobile services worthy of consideration. What’s the point when you have to find a position similar to that of a participant in the game of Twister, with their tongue sticking out nonetheless, just to be able to repeat the infamous question, “Can you hear me now?” over and over? I tried, but, oh-h-h-h-h-h-h, the cramps that come with the calls.

So why am I taking the plunge now? Because, remember, I’ll soon be moving back to a place where there’s much more action which means I’ll be smack dab in the middle of 100% service. Sometimes I’m not sure that’s necessarily going to be a good thing considering some of the other aspects that come with the territory such as noise and traffic among other things, but I’ll adjust.

I am anxious to see whether or not I will find mobile blogging to be fun, interesting, and advantageous. With the ability to take pictures and video on the fly I anticipate it could be. Nothing like spontaneity, ya know. How many times have we all witnessed or seen something and wished we had a camera available? Guess this means I may have to take another plunge into the world of YouTube, too.

Ok, I know. The younger crowds embraced this whole new way of life quite a while ago. So I’m coming in a little late. S’ok. I don’t mind giving them credit for paving the way. There’s plenty of things to share, I’m sure, from the perspective of someone from the Boomer generation for a change. Not to say the younger ones perspective isn’t a good one. Frankly, I for one think they bring a fresh one to a lot of things.

One of the abilities of the Blackberry I’m really looking forward to is the ability to access files on my desktop. Of course, I’ll have to have a third party application in order to do so, but how convenient when it comes to conducting business at times! Carrying around a laptop can sometimes be such a nuisance depending on where you’re going and how long you’ll be there. Just the idea of carrying around a powerful device slightly larger than the size of a deck of cards as opposed to a device the size of a mini TV is a big relief.

Even more interesting to think about is that I’ll be returning to a metro area I left just 12 years ago. When I think about the span of time since I left that area and the advances in technology since then, I am absolutely amazed. That thought drives home to me just how rapidly technology has advanced in the last 12 years.

I didn’t even have a computer when I left that area, let alone a connection to the internet. The very first cell phone I had, which was about 13 years ago, was one of those bag phones that took up almost the whole center of the front seat of our car and cost us a small fortune just to make one call for a couple of minutes. See? Amazing, isn’t it?!

I’ll let you know in the near future just how much the Blackberry Curve amazes me once I receive it and have time to play with it. Hopefully cramps won’t hinder me from checking out all the features. In the meantime, if you’re already part of the “in crowd” I’d like to know your take on this electronically tethered way of life. Advantages? Disadvantages? Tips? Tricks?

Popularity: 2% [?]

and…

Popularity: 11% [?]

I just pulled myself back together after coming across an online news article about a very tragic accident that, yes, rightfully should be reported. Why do I have a bone to pick? Because I can’t for the life of me figure out WHY the media finds it necessary to publish pictures of an accident such as some of the ones published of the accident about which I’m referring!

I’m not including a link to the article because I don’t want somebody in the family to come across the article or pics via links in my blog. The accident involved a tanker truck hauling 7600 gallons of diesel, and, no, the driver didn’t survive.

If only they would take the time to stop and think about the profound effect such detailed pictures will have on some if not all of the family members of the people involved in accidents. If only they would stop and realize that it’s really NOT necessary to satisfy the public’s appetite for such at the expense of the family of the deceased. If only they would think about how EASY it is these days for the child/children of a loved one lost in an accident to find and see the pictures.

Are they not taught or instructed in journalism to be more mindful of the power of their pictures and words and how they can deeply affect a loved one?! I lost my Dad in a very similar accident 31 years ago and I STILL don’t like seeing pictures like this! Now stop and think of what the loved ones of this man will think, feel, and imagine after seeing that at this early stage.

This is twice in just a years time I’ve contacted a news agency (two different agencies) and made my opinion and feelings known about this matter. Both times involved tankers. Journalists, PLEASE get OVER your sensationalist attitudes! Bring us THAT type of news gently. We (referring to the public) DON’T need to experience the shock of a picture that can be detrimental to the well-being of the family members, momentary or long lasting, thank you!

Popularity: 4% [?]