What Lance Thinks

Ipad
Starting at $499

 

So today Im getting hit from everywhere, on Facebook, Twitter, Texts and eMails about what I think of the new Amazon Kindle Tablets introduced.  The questions have been if it is going to kill Apple iPad or is it going to put Amazon out of business. 

 I have to put my guess and opinion to no on both of those questions. 

 Now this is me talking about it when I still do not have an iPad.  But I have researched it and kept up with the updates.  The first thought I had when seeing the description of the Kindle Fire is it is more of a media reader with a browser and of course along android tablet.    What impresses me is that Amazon came out with their own browser Silk and they are pushing how fast it will work on the Kindle Fire. 

So bottom line is that the iPad is a "Computer" tablet and the Kindle Fire is a "media" and of course it's successful eReader capabilities.  The Kindle Fire is described from Jeff Bezos's presentation is that you can browse the web, the social networks, your email and of course Amazon's MP3, movies, books and of course everything from a to z that Amazon offers.  I'm still new to the cloud technology but very soon it will be in everyones tech vocabulary to work with.

The Kindle Fire, I don't think, was made to Produce content but to receive and store content.  It does have a USB 2.0 slot and does state it receives most file formats including jpeg and mp3.  With it not having a camera of any type, I am also not seeing or it being pushed a built in photo app to show pics but Im guessing the Amazon Android app store will have plenty apps to view photos.

  

So the question, which would Lance buy?  Though the iPad would be cool to have and and its built in apps make items like email and contacts an ease to get to and finally would be easier to produce content if needed to and it is on my buying list.  Noticing my technology habits lately, I'm either on Facebook, Twitter, email, surfing the web, on my Kindle or of course on the iPhone.   I'm not seeing myself "producing" as much content such as videos and pictures like I use to. The price of the Kindle fire meets my value budget versus paying for the iPad.  However, if I were in a mobile career where content would need to be produced and uploaded/emailed to the web or server would for sure rely on the iPad.  It really depends on your lifestyle which one is needed.  

Making financial decisions work

So today the iPhone and me are at the library for internet connection and need to stop staring at the walls at the apartment.  My monthly spending is doubled right now due to gas costs as it has effected everyone.    To purchase a newer car with better gas milage costs are not putting me in a advantage either from adding a car payment and a newer car would increase my insurance premium.  This also does not count the upfront costs of purchasing a car of a downpayment, 2-3 insurance premiums upfront, tags and sales tax upfront would strain my other bills at this time and would force to play catch up for the next following months.

Mind you, I have no cable or internet connection at home or other extra luxuries like that.  In my life time I do not see myself getting cable or satellite because TV is so pathetic.  My hats off to Netflix, Amazon streaming to establishing videos on demand.  They are starting to say goodbye to the pathetic TV and cable networks that give you nothing but reruns, cheesy advertising and corporate control news coverage.

 I am assisting my son to go to college and it is very important I do that.  Work is not giving out much overtime like they usually do but glad I do have full time employment with benefits.  I am proud that I do not use and I  forbid the use of credit cards to "make ends meet".

So, the solution is join everyone else and just make it work.

Monday and Sunny Days

So most people are all blah and whiney on Mondays but it is actually my day off so I really don't look at it that way.  But its been important that I either be productive for Lance on these days.  This Monday is sunny but a cool 43 degrees.  I'am visiting Ane Mae's Cafe to get a Blueberry muffin,  sweet tea and internet connection.  So i've miscalculated my money budget balance and ended up with less than I thought I had and recalculating my living budget to last me till Friday morning which is payday.  Im really blessed that I have groceries and lunches to last me Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  So fuel has gone up to $3.45 per gallon here in Independence and work has called mandatory overtime this week at work.  So there is a positive that I have some overtime but a negative a real tight crunch to make it the 30 mile round trip 3 days this week till payday rather than 2 days.  I know I ought to invest in a more economical car but the upfront cash is just not there right now and I can get along with what I have.  My rent, utilities and cell phone bill are all paid up so really nothing to be stressed about at this point.  So my Monday-Day-Off-Productivity-List is consisting of accomplishing this blog, a deep clean/febreeze of the apartment and acomplish some reading of something today.  And of course jsut some "Veg-Out" relaxation today.  


To all of you having a blah Monday....Get Happy Now! ... and you wont be Blah!

Saturday Morning Coffee and Things

So Its Saturday morning filled with drizzle and a hazy sky.  Im enjoying a mocha at Ane Maes a few blocks from the apartment and doing some email and Mac work.  Today is my Friday for work and it's been a low key week at work but seems like its been a long week.  I attempted to use some things from the Deliver Happiness Book I read last week and continue to improve on some of those principals.  Anyway, I awoke like 2 hours earlier than I usually do and hope Im not dragging tonight.  Im really wanting to get alot accomplished at work and end the week on a good note.  I have a 50+ hour week in the next two weeks and look forward to the OT checks.  I should be getting the feedback from my promotion interviews at the end of next week and looking forward to hearing the results.  My next couple of days off is pretty much attending Church in Caney (since finding out about there is going to be a fellowship dinner), getting caught up with some cleaning and laundry and ready to go back to work Tuesday night.  Really nice that no burdens or pressure is bugging me and nice to be in a peaceful state of mind.  

Delivering Happiness

So Its been a while that not only I sat and read a book but actually finished it and finished it in 2 days.  The book of delivering happiness shares some similar stories that Ive experienced and just overcoming that "bored" with life feeling also.  The teachings of values are not only for business but for self values also to live by.  Im excited to join the Happiness Movement of Inspire and be inspired.

Getting into 2011

Wow I have not realized its been so long since I've posted on the blog.  So odd numbered years have put a fear in me because in the past, they (odd numbered years) have not been as fortunate and was always dramatic negatively.  So Im taking this year head on.  I spent 2010 stabilizing myself personally and financially.  It was successful that I had moved and started with a clean slate in Independence, Kansas.  2011 has started out strong for me in the sence financially Im making it strong for me

 I did have a week already this year that it might be a good idea and a big move for me to buy a car.  After finding difficulty on getting financing, I soon realized, I didn't need the extra car payment and other expenses that did not come with it.  So, through the next few months will be focusing on making the Blazer last as long as it can.  Autos have always not been a favorite need but I guess we do need it to make it to work.

When I stick to my original plan that I had last June when moving to Independence, that I pay my bills, I go to work and Work hard, it seems life remains simple for me and there is no drama to bring me down.  It has been a while that I've felt the confidence that I have in everything.  So  the saying we all here all the time...Keep life simple and Life will be simple back.  

Having Peace vs. Being Happy

So people ask me often "Are you Happy".  And my answer wants to be a smart ass answer like, "Define Happy"?  but I don't.  My most recent answer is more that I'm at peace with my life.  My job is good, my surroundings are good, I sleep today and I'm  not angry all the time.  I wake up, I pick up my apartment and make my bed everyday.  Some people will be like, I have done that my whole life, but for me it matters to me now and makes things at peace for me doing those everyday tasks that some people take for granted.  It use not matter since I would say, "Those tasks wont get me anywhere".  Today, they do.  I may have $3 to my name but I'm not sitting in trash and debris being depressed and thinking of crazy ways to be "happy & rich".  I can relax and not worry today like I use to.  Though lately Ive been wanting to share and "insert" my peace in family and friends life's and I  have often crossed a line.  To those Family and friends, I am sorry.  I would want to share or "insert"  of what I do to complete a life task or how I get through obstacles that fall into the road of life.  To my family and friends, I need to just keep doing what I'm doing and show how my life is more at peace and not force them into what I call my "Peace Pace" I live today.  So still lots of growth and things I need and want to accomplish, but I wake, eat, sleep and have a mocha all in peace today that I find less stressful than working on  "Being Happy".  

The iPhone Prayer

Dear Lord,

I ask to you to watch over my iPhone.  

You see, my whole life is attached to my iPhone

The shiny glittery screen keeps my contacts in a highly detail order whom I fellowship with

I can keep all my glorious life events at the touch of a finger

Different colorful apps keeps me informed and entertained

My Life is not whole without my iPhone

Its attached to me always and god willing I have it unattached 

when it is still in my pocked before laundry time,  God willing it is not next to me on the couch during a nap and it slides into a glass of water on the floor, God willing I not let it slip out of my pocket when near a toilet.  So Lord, help us all that have a iPhone in our Life

...amen   

My Apartment

Day after 9/11/10

During 9/11/01, I was with family in Maryland just less than an hour away from the Pentagon. The thing I remember most is the eerie feeling of no planes over head. And being in the suburbs of Washington D.C., that is a feeling, sound and sight I will never forget. So I reflected on that day as I rested from a long week and have a long week of work Im blessed to have in front of me. Im also blessed of my son Adam to chose a career as a paramedic that he can save lives like the ones did on that September 11, 2001.

Lunch-My Job-Time With Son

I've really got to get blogging allot more than what I do!!!!!

Im having lunch at AneMae's in Independence and having a veggie taco salad that I wasn't for sure at the beginning but I absolutely loved it.

Today I'm really in the relaxed mode and resting up so I can give work 900% over the next couple of days then a day off then start next week out strong. This past week I havent felt like I gave what I needed to at work and I really hate that feeling. So most of my time is involved at work. I am really enjoying working at Amazon.com more than any other job I've had. It more than likely has to do with the pay meeting the simple needs I have and really putting a foundation of the stability that Lance needs at this point in my life. I've been given more responsibilities at work and I really want to well for my own satisfaction than anything and hopes that is reflected to those around me and the leadership. I get so frustrated with the negative energy from certain people at work, and I do know that is in any job. It's I am so blessed with the job I have I can not imagine any other company offering what amazon has provided. Also its not rocket science we have to do either!! lol

Enough about work. I have blogged and shared my thoughts before about I have to get passion about something in my life to fill the time outside of work and sleep and all that. On my last visit Adam shared he would like to visit some museums and stuff like that during our visits other than our usual get something to eat and see relatives. That really enlightened me to know he would like to do that with me. I always thought I would be boring for him but we have shared so many things together with scouts such as camping and hiking that anything else would be boring. So I am going to set up a "field trip" for the both of us next weekend and looking forward to it.

iJournal 6-6-2010

My Son is Graduating High School

So its 2010. I often wondered what this year was going to be about when I soon figured out what class year he was going to be once he was born. At the time we were wondering what the turn of the century was going to be like let alone the beginning of the first decade of the century. But it is here, Adam's Senior year.

Its Wednesday night shortly after his senior baccalaureate and Awards Ceremony. Also being 4 days away from the graduation itself was making me a basket case.

We survived and enjoyed watching Adam progress through his school years. With an additional bit of special assistance he required made it all happen and I am very proud of him making it through to receiving his diploma. The academic and learning obstacles he had to face and handle forced over half students with his challenges to drop out of school and never be able to succeed very easy in life. That didn't stop Adam. I as his father would be frustrated that more couldn't be done and I know faculty and teachers often rolled their eyes at me. What I wasn't seeing during those frustrated times was Adam fighting through those challenges and I was trying to find a way around them. But again I am very proud of him pushing himself to accomplish what he has.

Adam has chosen a career of a paramedic. His Mother and I was contacted by a state agency who wanted to assist him towards going to Crowder College to get his degree. Through some paperwork and applications accomplished by Adam's Mother it happen that we have most of his school to be financed which took a load of of us. That was a blessing and a positive flow through everyone concerned especially Adam.


So back to tonight. We were expecting Adam to receive an Award for his involvement for the A+ program. The 6th Scholarship to be presented was in the name of Brook Ann Lee Hough Memorial. Brook was a Student with Adam when her life ended 2 years ago in a tragic car accident. The presenter of the Scholarship explained that Brook was full of life and never took things for granted but loved life every minute. The scholarship was towards that attitude of hard work and persistence. Through a number of applications turned in for the application the presenter announced Adam Roy as the recipient of the scholarship of $4,000. Tears drew up in my eyes and an instant lump formed in my throat. At that very moment I knew for certain now Adam has a future to look forward to.

To Adam; I am so Proud of all you've done from earning your eagle scout to graduating from high school to accomplishing the A+ program to a whole list of things. To finishing every cross country race and not missing a practice. Your the best and now the ride is beginning to be fun for you and I'm so happy that I'm able to see it and share with you.

Your the best.

Love Dad

Continuing with Life

So life is begining to continue without me fighting it to continue. Many of you know that I started with amazon.com in Coffeyville, Kansas over the holidays and recently was converted from the temp agency to a full amazon.com associate. I really enjoy it there and have met some neat people. The drive is a bit long but manageable.

This year Mom took a couple of falls that have detoured me to living with her for home care during my days off in the week. Though tiring that it may be I don't mind doing as many times she has assisted and bailed me out of my crashes. Now I feel I can contribute back. And not to turn my attention of the purpose of taking care of her, it really fulfills my time which I need. I have said before Im the type Im more productive when busy and occupied.

The other and main event in my life coming up is seeing my son Adam walk across the stage to receive his High School diploma and start a new era in his life. We recently found out that he will financially have the opportunity to attend Crowder College this fall for him to pursue his Paramedic degree.

ANd yes I've said this before but I have some things in the works to get it started, I am close to starting my video blog netcasts to start immediately. More to come later on that. SO anyway, thats all I have and will post soon

2010 New Years Resolutions

Life Actions

So Lately, no, not just lately but for quite a while, I haven't been sure what my role in life is to be. that would make on ponder about it and knowing something ought to be done about it. I knew some directions that I needed to go but wasn't sure how of if I wanted to go to that direction. Its really Im hung up on focusing expectations and those usually don't meet those expectations because of a lack of endurance and mostly faith. So I'm talking to a friend of mine that I needed to ask her something else anyway, and i brought up about some life directions for me. Even though a person knows what needs to happen to make life work, its always good, at least for me, to hear from another person. So this morning I sent this person a thank you email for our talk yesterday and it was at first going to be a simple thank you for listening but I, not planning to, continued to type about what I discovered in the last 12 hours and want to share it:

Hi,

Just wanted to again, thank you for your words and listening. I know you had more on your plate than to listen to Lance's issues but I really appreciate it. So last night I was pacing, got the bible out and really couldn't focus and nothing was popping in front of me. ( sorry, im sort of tied up in this need something right now - instantaneous world, I know I need to quit it). So I went to the next best thing is digital podcasts (sort of like audio books if you didn't know) and i go to iTunes and start searching in the spiritual section to see if anything interests me. I see names that I recognize and know about; Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyer, TD Jakes, Max Lucodo, etc. I come across a name I didn't know and with no cause to do it I click the name of Chip Ingram and the title of a series he is talking about is titled how to re-build a broken world. So that sort of interested me and I would click on the audio and see what he has to say. He starts out in defining a broken world. Its really what I think is broken and do I really know what is broken and if it even broken at all. So yes, that had me thinking and asking what really is broken. He goes on throughout the series of talks to talk about quit asking God why but ask What. Also to learn endurance. THis morning was the first time in a long time I woke up around 7am got dressed and worked on what needs to be done rather than laying in bed with the blanket over my head till 10-11 am, upset that there is no other drama and I am going to have to delt with Lance today, then wonder to work. So not sure why I picked that audio to listen to but the more the audio continued the more I "LISTENED" to the words for the first time and knowing the relationship of God needs to be a thing for me. I don't want to call it an awakening or a light switch that hit me because I know there is alot more than just being excited to be alive and knowing God probably does care, today, I just don't want to be lost and angry and hate people anymore. I want to be a good guy for myself and for others, just not sure hows its going to turn out and how to be that way. Anyway, thanks for listening again, and wanted to update you how I stayed up half the night doing!!!

God Bless

CJ Cross Country at MSSU Stampede

The iPhone Memorial Service

Day 2 without the iPhone

iPhone Gone