Does size really matter?

Evidently it does when you’re talking about your Internet connection.  At least it does when you’re talking about the size of the cables that bring, or take, or carry, or transfer, or magically cause words and pictures to appear from the information super highway.  

Please understand that my knowledge of this kind of thing is minimal at best.  Truth be known, as long as it’s up and running properly, I don’t really care how or why it works…just so long as it works! 

When I had but one computer hard wired into my modem, life was good.  Life was easy.  However, about a year ago I introduced a router and a wireless laptop to the mix and life has never been the same.  

First the modem and the router wouldn’t talk to each other.  Next, the router and the wireless laptop were both talking, but one was speaking English and the other Chinese.  Then the modem slowed the router down, or the router slowed the modem down.  After spending several hours on the phone with the not so helpful help desk people I finally got everything up and running well...so I thought.  

To date I have no less than five different wireless devices all on what I’m forced to call “My Network” and speed is the new issue.  I have DSL, which has always been great.  Yesterday, when I was at the apple store trying to get some help with my speed problems I learned that DSL is lumped into the same category as dial-up, and the cable Internet is all the rage.  

Here’s how the conversation went:

            apple guy:  What kind of connection do you have? 

            Me:  DSL 

            apple guy:  (making an ugly face) Ugh!  Well there’s your                  trouble right there. 

            Me:  DSL isn’t good? 

apple guy:  Well, maybe years ago, but a phone line is just too small.  (Holding up his hands with his fingers making a circle about the size of a softball he said) You need a bigger cable. 

Me:  AT&T calls it Broadband and… 

apple guy: That’s a lie!  They say that, but it’s just a lie!  You can’t have broadband through a wire the size of a phone cord! 

I realized that I had hit a rather tender topic with this poor guy, so I said thanks and slowly backed away.  

The truth is, this may have been reality for years, but I just turned a deaf ear to the whole thing, because my little world was working just fine.  

So now I’m on the hunt for the biggest Internet connection available in my area, because it seems that size really does matter.

Shopping Delimma

I was at the grocery store a couple of days ago.  I had my cart with my milk, my bread, my peaches, my usual stuff.  I was standing on the ice cream aisle trying to find the Blue Bell Natural Bean Vanilla, not the Homemade Vanilla.  I mean, the choice between Homemade and Natural Bean is a no brainer!  

I’m standing there grumbling to myself about how they always have a thousand rows of Homemade, but then they’ll have only two or three containers of Natural Bean when I heard this conversation: 

Woman:  “Blue Bell is his favorite and it’s his birthday.” 

Man:  “But it’s twice as much as this kind.  If we get Blue Bell we’ll have to put the juice boxes back.” 

Glancing into their cart I saw three items, one of which was a small package of six to eight generic brand juice boxes that might have cost $3.00 and my heart sank.  

Without looking up, I quickly grabbed my ice cream and rushed to checkout.  

I felt bad, but I’m not sure why.  

Did I feel bad for listening in on such a personal discussion?  Or did I feel guilty for having more?  Maybe I felt guilty for not offering to help.  

Whatever the reason, I felt badly for this young couple.  

I’ve never had those kinds of money issues.  I know everyone has those kinds of money issues, but mine have never been at that level.  I’ve never had to choose between ice cream and juice boxes for my child’s birthday party. 

I did some research, and while my annual income is not even close to the top incomes in Dallas, it’s also nowhere near the poverty level.  After my quick research I was a bit ashamed for wanting a larger salary.  

After all is said and done, I’m not sure what all this says about me.  

Maybe it says I’m rich.  Maybe it says I’m spoiled.  Maybe it says I’m blind to financial situation that the bulk of the world is in.  

I don’t know…I guess I’ve got something to think about.   

  

New iMac

Yesterday, I went to Northpark Mall and got my first iMac…and so far it is amazing!   

There are things to learn.  Lots of things to learn!   However, I’m having a blast learning them.  

What really chaps my buns is the fact that my daughter is already a pro at most everything...just one more sign that I'm getting old!  But the jokes on her;  I'm going to have a whole month to play and get really good while she's at camp.  Then I'll be iMac'in rings around her!

I had a PC with 256MB processor a 100GB hard drive and a second hard drive with 80GB.  It had 2 CD’s, but only one could burn.  It did have a really nice 13-inch flat screen monitor.  However, with the limits placed on me by how outdated my computer was, I really couldn’t make the best of the monitor.  It was kind of like having $1000 worth of wheels on $50 car.  I don't care how nice the wheels are, that car just ain't gonna run smooth.  

When Gordon, that’s Real Live Preacher to you, built it for me a few years ago, it was at the top of its game.  If you actually know Gordon I’m sure you’re saying, “Gordon built something?  Like, used tools and put something together?  Do you mean Gordon Atkinson?”  

Well, you couldn’t be any more surprised than I was when he offered, but he did a good job and it has served me well for several years. 

My new iMac has a 2.66GHz processor, 320GB hard drive and a 20-inch widescreen display.  At first, I got a little bit dizzy.  I mean I wasn’t used to this kind of speed.  I didn’t even know that things could go this fast!   

So I’ve got the next two months off…at least from school.  I’ve got several at home projects that I’ve been putting off that I need to take care of.  However, the bulk of my summer will be me learning how to use my new iMac.  

I’ll keep you posted

3 Days Left...a little late!

I find it increasingly harder to find,
A way to leave all of my school crap behind

You’d think that at this point it would be rather simple,
Like telling your brother he’s got a huge pimple

Now Hugh, that’s just gross, I can you each say,
But you like my poems edgy, so I keep them that way

Don’t forget that today is our dancing debut,
So come shake your buns as the kids shout, “YOO-HOO!”

And just try to keep up with our dear friend Ms. Jackie,
Please don’t copy her moves, they can get pretty tacky

Now back to your brother, the one with the zit,
Cause it’s fun to just smile, and then tease him a bit

And you have a good time, poking fun at his nose,
But then the fun starts to get old...I suppose

That’s just how it is, this time of year,
You know what to do, but you can’t get in gear

It could be because your thoughts are all hazy,
But it’s probably because you’re just being lazy

Don’t get all upset, and start throwing a fit,
Come dance at the show, and you’ll be a huge hit

Keep moving along, with your mind worry free,
Go have a great weekend, your days left are three